Leica M3- film cartridge stuck

[Lexybeast]

Having a weird issue here that I can't find any information on. For some film types, like Acros and Tri-X, the film cartridge gets stuck inside the camera. It looks like it's slightly too wide for the camera. To top off the strangeness, this is not a problem I've had before as I often shoot Tri-X in this camera, and I have not bumped the camera or dented it at all. (It does have a few pre-existing bumps that were there when I bought it.) What the heck is going on?

Here's a picture. You can see marks on the cartridge and the camera (specifically a little metal tab that comes out from that plate with the loading directions) where it is getting stuck. It only started a couple days ago, when I noticed it was a little harder to slide the film cartridge in and get it out when I was done, until the last one would not come out at all until I pried it out with a knife.

Also note that it isn't all film types. Portra seems to slide in and out without issue.

 

[Livesteamer]

I think that little tab is for locking the base plate down. If you take off the bottom plate you might find the little tab could be adjusted inward a little. Good Luck, Joe

 

[axiom]

Looks like the outer shell deformed a bit.
You can see that the outside curvy edge isn't perfectly round (the back side curves more, the front side pushes in more).
Perhaps you need a rubber hammer to fix it (take off the outer shell first).

 

[Keith]

Looks like the outer shell deformed a bit.
You can see that the outside curvy edge isn't perfectly round (the back side curves more, the front side pushes in more).
Perhaps you need a rubber hammer to fix it (take off the outer shell first).

I noticed that also and would suspect that this is the problem.

 

[Tom A]

The outside "shell" has been dented and needs to either be pushed out (tricky - as the metal can crack - know that from experience) or replaced.
It you can find a piece of pipe or rod(wood dowel is the least likely to damage it) - same diameter as the film cassette you can very carefully bend it back. Be aware that if the shell is dented - so is probably the baseplate and after "surgery" it might not fit properly.

 

[Lexybeast]

Thanks guys. I'll mull over my limited options.

 

[rogerzilla]

I had that on an eBay IIIc, but in that case no film cassette would fit in the first place. In fact, when I returned it to the seller it still had my roll of BW400CN stuck halfway in. Yes, it does look bent on the photo.

 

[Livesteamer]

Y'all are right. It is bent. If you want to try to unbend it, make a wooden block with a U shape in it the exact size of the exterior and then use a hardwood dowel that is shaped to fit the interior and gently pound with a hammer. You might need three hands. You might also want to send it to one of the repair people listed on this forum. Good Luck. Joe

 

[batterytypehah!]

I have the exact same issue on my project M3 and had been hoping to fix it with well-fitting hardwood blocks inside and out, in a vise. Sounds like the way to go then.

Shouldn't be too hard to find a matching dowel but does anybody have an idea for something off the shelf with a 3cm inner diameter, for the outside block? Building blocks from the toy store?

 

[ChrisN]

Having a weird issue here that I can't find any information on. For some film types, like Acros and Tri-X, the film cartridge gets stuck inside the camera. It looks like it's slightly too wide for the camera. To top off the strangeness, this is not a problem I've had before as I often shoot Tri-X in this camera, and I have not bumped the camera or dented it at all. (It does have a few pre-existing bumps that were there when I bought it.) What the heck is going on?

Here's a picture. You can see marks on the cartridge and the camera (specifically a little metal tab that comes out from that plate with the loading directions) where it is getting stuck. It only started a couple days ago, when I noticed it was a little harder to slide the film cartridge in and get it out when I was done, until the last one would not come out at all until I pried it out with a knife.

Also note that it isn't all film types. Portra seems to slide in and out without issue.

If you loosen the two screws in the photo, you might be able to wiggle that little plate a tiny way back under the larger plate it is mounted under, and gain a fraction of a millimeter more clearance. Don't remove the screws completely as there are shims in there to set clearance. That might let you keep using the camera.

Don't forget to tighten them up again!

 

[rogerzilla]

I would just send it for repair, since the best repair will require removing the mechanism from the shell first. It is a trivial job for an experienced tech and really shouldn't cost more than $100.