Leica MR-4 Light Meter?

[mflannery]

I have just come into possession of a very nice black MR-4 Leica light meter.
It is in the original box and tissue wrapping paper, so it probably has barely been used in its lifetime.
Unfortunately it does not work and am curious as to whether it is worth repairing or not, and who could do the job.
I have installed a new 625 battery, but a 1.5volt version so the battery tests too high versus the original 1.35volt mercury battery-but at least shows that the meter's test circuit is working. However, I get absolutely no response to light when I try to make a light reading in either the "bright" or 'dim" position when I activate the meter button.
Any ideas? And who to send it to? Is it financially worth it?
As usual, Thanks for any advice,
Mike Flannery

 

[sanmich]

You should contact DAG.
It might be a simple bad contact which sounds repairable to me.
I don't know if new cells are available, but they might be (If I recall, new replacement cells for the leica CL are available)

The big question might be: do you want it for your use or for resale. In the first case, you might be ready to invest, in the opposite, putting money in something that you may or you may not sell well afterwords could seems a bit risky.

 

[dlove5]

Sounds like bad contacts on the metering circuit. The fact that the test circuit works is good. I bought a "non-working" MR meter a while back for $7. Since I really wouldn't be out anything, I decided to try repairing it myself. I had to fiddle with it some, but it wasn't difficult. Mainly it involves taking it apart, cleaning the sliding contacts, adjusting a variable resistor so the 1.5 volt battery gives a valid reading and putting it back together. If cosmetically it is in very good condition, then I would probably send it out instead of doing it myself. I'm not sure what the going rate is these days to have it sent out. I believe there is a place in California that specializes in repairing light meters, but I don't remember their name.

 

[mflannery]

David-I attempted to take it apart, but couldn't find an easy way to do it.. Where are the screws or whatever to do this-on top under the dials, or somewhere on the underside? I took the hot shoe off, but the case wouldn't pry apart easily so I gave up to seek more information. Anybody else know how to take these apart?
Thanks, Mike

 

[dlove5]

Mike,

Besides removing the two screws on the side you have to remove the pin-face screw from the center of the dial on top. Pull off the dials and you will find two more small screws under them. Here's the part that initially threw me. you have to slide the battery test switch to the left and then you can pull the cover off. Once you have the cover off you can see where the sliding contacts are that need to be cleaned. I was able to find some pretty good diagrams. I will look for my electronic copy or where you can find it. The diagrams also help to show where the variable resistor is that needs to be adjusted.

Hope this helps to get you on the right track

 

[Artorius]

David-I attempted to take it apart, but couldn't find an easy way to do it.. Where are the screws or whatever to do this-on top under the dials, or somewhere on the underside? I took the hot shoe off, but the case wouldn't pry apart easily so I gave up to seek more information. Anybody else know how to take these apart?
Thanks, Mike

Look here;
http://yandr.50megs.com/leica/mr/mr.htm

and here;
http://www.feuerbacher.net/photo/frame.html?repair/Leicameter/Leicameter.html~Main

I use the Cris MR-9 adaptor in mine
http://www.feuerbacher.net/photo/frame.html?repair/Leicameter/Leicameter.html~Main
and it works fine.

 

[dlove5]

The bottom link Art provided above is the one I was looking for that I had found most helpful. Also if you scramble the order of the parts of the dial or need to see additional diagrams, here a link to a repair manual that has exploded diagrams for the meter.

http://leicaclub.net/files/leica_m2_service.pdf

Good luck.