Leica IIIC - recovering lath that got sucked in to rollers

[dcshooter]

Hi everone,

I have a Leica IIIC where shutter #1 got detached from the lath due to failed cement, and I believe the lath got pulled behind the light baffle and into the rollers by the tension on the ribbons, which are still intact. I have the bottom, casing, and top off, but there is an annoying baffle on the right side that does not come off with the other two and is blocking the rollers.

The curtains are otherwise in great shape, and so if I can save this by just pulling the lath out and re-cementing the curtain to it, that would be ideal. Anyone know any tricks to get it back out, and if not, what is the best way to remove the right hand (looking from the front) baffle in order that I can get better access to the rollers and attempt to pull it out? I've read conflicting reports on the web about whether merely the RF assembly has to be taken off or whether I have to completely disassemble the bottom. If at all possible, I'd prefer not to have to mess with the tensioners, since the speeds were all good before the shutter came loose.

Any advice appreciated!!

 

[johannielscom]

Go to FB to the Vintage Camera Repair Group and ask Alan Starkie. He's very knowledgable and very approachable. He will likely be able to help you out.

Good luck!

 

[Mr_Flibble]

The leica IIIf repair/ maintenance pdf is available online. The section on disassembling the shutter crate will help.

 

[rick oleson]

here's one way to get there: (pages 8-10)
https://www.dropbox.com/s/5fdjaw0y8ajehe6/Leica IIIf.pdf?dl=0

 

[davidnewtonguitars]

Time spent on this vid couldn't hurt.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziAFgEsdl0Q

 

[dcshooter]

Just wanted to say thanks to everyone for the replies! I ended up completely redoing the curtains, so Rick's tutorial came in very handy.

One other question - on the vertical RF adjustment, I can't seem to quite get the moving image low enough to match up with the static image, no matter what orientation the adjustable window is in. Out of whack beam splitter, perhaps? If so, any tips on how to get it correctly aligned, or is it purely trial and error?

 

[rick oleson]

If the error is not within the range of adjustment by rotating the front window, something must be a bit out of whack. I guess it would either have to be the beamsplitter mirror or the pivoting prism....

 

[davidnewtonguitars]

Nobby Sparrow also has a beamsplitter video.