Leica Shutter Problem ?

[Dan95]

2/26 exposures on my M7 are like this. They're random! Could this be a shutter problem ?


Sigh...

 

[Dan95]

Just re-checked. Not random! Same scene. Thus, same shutter speed.

Sigh,,,

 

[Dan95]

Make that 4 frames!

 

[Dan95]

And I was about to get another M7! To compliment this one.

 

[Dan95]

Anyone ever encountered this?

 

[Dan95]

Just checked all previous test shots, some taken outdoors ( I assuem they're at a high speed ), perfect..

Hmm could it be the lens...

 

[Rob-F]

I don't see how it can be the shutter. Not with those curved edges. The shutter curtains have straight edges. You didn't by any chance have the wrong hood on the lens? I know, that's probably not the case. The first shot in posting #3 shows a little daylight to the left of the left dark area. And the center frame looks different from the other two, with much less obstruction. There wasn't by chance some obstruction in front of the camera, in those shots?

What lens were you using?

 

[Dan95]

I hereby attach a photo from the first roll, showing this symptom.


@Rob, on all 4 photos, I used a 28 Elmarit, with the correct factory hood.

 

[Dan95]

Oh and they little daylight at the corner of one of the frames... another negative. Didnt crop it correctly.

The M7 was purchased about a month ago.

The seller didnt give me any warranty, but he said to let him know if a problem arises.

 

[Rob-F]

Dan-- In the picture you just posted, I see a light vertical stripe at upper right. Is that part of the same problem?

 

[Dan95]

Dan-- In the picture you just posted, I see a light vertical stripe at upper right. Is that part of the same problem?

I doubt it. As I occasionally get stripes when I scan the thing wrongly.

The black bands appear on the negatives too though..

Sigh.. I was starting to develop a liking to electronic shutters..

 

[Richard G]

Whatever this is I wouldn't lose heart over the M7. It is either not the camera, or fixable. Many M7 devotees you never hear of as they are very happy with the camera.

 

[Dan95]

Whatever this is I wouldn't lose heart over the M7. It is either not the camera, or fixable. Many M7 devotees you never hear of as they are very happy with the camera.

Hmm..... :bang::bang:

 

[doolittle]

The vertical straight bands might point to a shutter problem. Shoot a test roll at all speeds and see if it is occurring with particular shutter speeds etc. Personally I would be looking into getting my money back if possible!

 

[Vickko]

If it is the shutter, it is because it is not running at the same slot width as it traverses the film gate.

The M7 is a spring-driven shutter run, and the electronics just time when to release the second curtain. After the shutter curtains are released, it is up to the smoothness and spring tension to make the exposure even across the film plane.

A good tech should be able to detect the defect.

Yes, a test roll, shooting an even scene, would be quite revealing. And yes, do all speeds.

I'd be seeing about getting your seller to help pay for a shutter repair, since you haven't had it for long.

Vick

 

[Dan95]

I had just sent DAG a couple of emails regarding the issue. I guess Im the first M7 owner with this problem!

Shot a test roll yesterday at various shutter speeds.

 

[Dan95]

Just received the roll of film.

When shutter speeds are manually selected, they're fine from 1s to 1/1000. The problem only arises when I set it to AE at high speeds..

 

[maddoc]

Looks strange ... but if it only happens in AE mode, it seems the electronic has some defect and fails to control the shutter curtain movement in AE mode ...

 

[Dan95]

It is strange..

Sigh... I have lost faith in cameras with electronically controlled shutters.