LTM versus M Leicas -- are Barnacks more durable, easier/cheaper to maintain?

[David Hughes]

It would be interesting to number crunch Leica's records to see how many came in for repair within the warranty period and then within a 20 year period after manufacture, organised by model and type.

Hi,

That's true but not everyone returns them to Leica and not everyone has a record of the number of frames fired. And you get problems with unused cameras that would confuse the issue. I had a good looking one that was new in 1939 and the dried up oil/grease could be seen in pools and the technicians reckoned it had hardly been used as he had seen no wear but one or two rusty screws (which he replaced).

FWIW, I spend a bit of time every month or so winding on and then firing all the old mechanical cameras a few times, just to keep the parts moving as I can't use them all as much as I'd like to. And then a minute or two pressing every shutter to make sure they've all been fired.

Regards, David

 

[Bill Clark]

FWIW, I spend a bit of time every month or so winding on and then firing all the old mechanical cameras a few times, just to keep the parts moving as I can't use them all as much as I'd like to. And then a minute or two pressing every shutter to make sure they've all been fired.

Good idea.

I even had one of my Canon digital SLR cameras that needed shutter exercise. I managed to get it up and working again with some exercise.

 

[Erik van Straten]

Hi Erik, Do you have them CLA'd on a regular basis and if so how often? Once every five years?

O no, when Mr. Scherpenborg "does" a camera, it will be fine for at least the next 25 years or so. He takes them all apart, cleanes every single part in benzin (lighter fluid?), relubes them with the correct grease and then rebuilts the camera completely. They then have that typical silky smoothness that characterizes the old Leicas.

Erik.

 

[Monochrom]

i think keep running my mechanical leicas is necessary as changing a flat tire...
things i ´ve learned to do by myself...i cannot imagine sending by mail my tire to get repaired to an expensive technician that is as human and talented as i am.

😎