Leica IIIf Slow Speed CLA Advice

[grouchos_tash]

Hi,

My IIIf 1 and 1/2 sec shutter speeds are kaput. The shutter opens, you can hear a whirring sound but it doesn't close again until you switch the dial to another shutter speed.

The most technical repair I've attempted was lubricating my Jupiter 8, any chance I could tackle this myself or should I send it out for a CLA?

Thanks!

Gary

 

[colyn]

If one speed is out its likely all are out to a degree. If you fix just one or two speeds the others will then need repair. The best and also long term fix is to send it out for a complete service..

Never ever take the advise some will give to add tension to the shutter spindles since the only thing that will do is to over tension the spindle springs which in turn will cause early spring failure...

 

[grouchos_tash]

If one speed is out its likely all are out to a degree. If you fix just one or two speeds the others will then need repair. The best and also long term fix is to send it out for a complete service..

Never ever take the advise some will give to add tension to the shutter spindles since the only thing that will do is to over tension the spindle springs which in turn will cause early spring failure...

Yeah, I don't feel that confident that I know what I'm doing, I guess I'll leave it to a professional!

Are the slow speeds a separate mechanism to the rest?

 

[02Pilot]

The slow speed escapement is in the bottom of the crate, quite apart from the majority of the moving parts. Unfortunately, it's also in a location prone to accumulating dirt and debris over the years. More than likely it's just a combination of those and old, degraded lubricants, but if you're not comfortable with taking the camera apart, you'd probably be better off sending it off to be CLA'd.

 

[Dralowid]

OK so they are on the other side of the Pennines but

http://www.newtonellis.com/leica/

are well regarded.

 

[grouchos_tash]

The slow speed escapement is in the bottom of the crate, quite apart from the majority of the moving parts. Unfortunately, it's also in a location prone to accumulating dirt and debris over the years. More than likely it's just a combination of those and old, degraded lubricants, but if you're not comfortable with taking the camera apart, you'd probably be better off sending it off to be CLA'd.

I looked at a guide of doing this and it said that the easy way (a couple of screws to remove the slow speed escapement) was only applicable to the IIIc and the IIIf needed the top plate removed etc? Is this not true?

 

[grouchos_tash]

OK so they are on the other side of the Pennines but

http://www.newtonellis.com/leica/

are well regarded.

I noticed them on google, thanks 🙂

 

[Graybeard]

IMHO you really want a competent technician to CLA your camera. Ask him to have a go at cleaning the RF/VF optics while he/she/other is inside the camera (it needs it/ clean the glass whenever you can). Twere me, I'd have Youxin Ye have a go at your camera; don't waste your time and treasure with the lower priced guys on the big web site.

My own experience with gummy shutters with the low speeds on Barnack Leicas is that this is an early warning of impending problems/doom at the higher speeds. The same oil that is becoming gum/syrup/t/obleck in the slow speed gear train is also dispersed in the higher speed train and will work its evil magic there. This will bite you, eventually, at an inconvenient time (and an uncomfortable place); don't ask me how I know this.

 

[02Pilot]

I looked at a guide of doing this and it said that the easy way (a couple of screws to remove the slow speed escapement) was only applicable to the IIIc and the IIIf needed the top plate removed etc? Is this not true?

What guide did you look at?

Also, I tend to agree with Graybeard's (a fellow Hudson Valley denizen, it seems - how far up the valley are you, Graybeard?) comment about the slow speeds being the first sign. All the lubricants are well beyond their sell-by date here, so it's best to just deal with it once and be good to go for the next few decades.

 

[colyn]

Are the slow speeds a separate mechanism to the rest?

The slow speed escapement is indirectly connected to the fast speeds by way of the main shutter drum. The escapement is located in the bottom of the crate only accessible by removing the crate from the shell then removing the front standard and light baffles as well as a cover on the bottom.. There is a shaft which connects the mechanism which is operated by the main drum..

A lot of work to do in order to fix the issue... A lot of people have been known to get stupid with WD-40 in order to try and fix the problem only to cause more harm...and as I said in my first post they tighten the shutter spindles to force it to work.

 

[grouchos_tash]

What guide did you look at?

Also, I tend to agree with Graybeard's (a fellow Hudson Valley denizen, it seems - how far up the valley are you, Graybeard?) comment about the slow speeds being the first sign. All the lubricants are well beyond their sell-by date here, so it's best to just deal with it once and be good to go for the next few decades.

This is the article I read...

http://tunnel13.com/blog/leica-iiia-cla-clean-the-slow-speed-escapement/

But I agree with Graybeard, all of the lubricant is going to be the same age so it's probably just a matter of time before I've got a good looking piece of metal for my shelf!

 

[Mr_Flibble]

If you are so inclined to do the cleaning yourself, I'll just leave this here:

Leica IIIf maintenance manual from pentax-manual.com

 

[David Hughes]

Hi,

My vote's for Newton Ellis and Co or any of the others we recommend here. Usually with elderly Leica cameras, one thing starting to go wrong is a sign that everything needs checking and so on.

IMO, you won't recognise the feel of the camera when you get it back.

Regards, David

 

[grouchos_tash]

If you are so inclined to do the cleaning yourself, I'll just leave this here:

Leica IIIf maintenance manual from pentax-manual.com

I found that but it just scared me...

I guess I just answered my own question haha

Hi,

My vote's for Newton Ellis and Co or any of the others we recommend here. Usually with elderly Leica cameras, one thing starting to go wrong is a sign that everything needs checking and so on.

IMO, you won't recognise the feel of the camera when you get it back.

Regards, David

I'll give them a call this afternoon, thanks 🙂

 

[Graybeard]

What guide did you look at?

(a fellow Hudson Valley denizen, it seems - how far up the valley are you, Graybeard?)

Near Kinderhook

 

[02Pilot]

What guide did you look at?

(a fellow Hudson Valley denizen, it seems - how far up the valley are you, Graybeard?)

Near Kinderhook

Further up than me - I'm down towards Peekskill. I was, however, just up in Hudson last weekend with one of my IIIcs. Small world.

 

[_goodtimez]

I did a complete III C one time, including the rangefinder semi-transparent mirror. Not a biggy if you plan it with plenty of time upfront and if you are well organized.

 

[grouchos_tash]

I did a complete III C one time, including the rangefinder semi-transparent mirror. Not a biggy if you plan it with plenty of time upfront and if you are well organized.

I decided to get a repairman look at it for me, who has fixed things for me before in Newcastle (UK). It's in for a full service. I'm looking forward to getting it back!