Ltm slow shuuter speeds non working question

[lawnpotter]

If I buy a Leica with messed up slow shutter speeds, can I still use camera with no problem with the higher shutter speeds? Are they interconnected? Thanks

 

[Luddite Frank]

As long as the slow-speeds dial is set to the highest number or where it locks on the later cameras (-f and maybe -c), it should work fine.

The slow-speeds mechanism is an additional clockwork escapement that delays the closing of the second curtain.

 

[xayraa33]

Theoretically the high speeds should work ok with a gummed up slow speed escapement mechanism but in real life the slower speeds on the high speed dial could hesitate or hang up.
Cameras like the Leica IIIf Red Dial have 1/25 th of a sec as the slowest on the high speed dial but the curtain running time is around 1/50 th of a second so the second closing curtain could hang up or hesitate at 1/25 depending on the degree of how fouled up the slow speed mechanism is.

For optimum performance it is best to get these iffy old cameras CLAed for confidence in actual day to day use.

The best camera I found that seems to work fine after years of non use is the Nikon S2.

 

[lawnpotter]

Thanks very much