M2 Shutter getting stuck

[bukaj]

About 5 months ago the shutter on my Leica M2 got stuck. The winding lever jammed. I took it to a camera repair shop and was told foam near the shutter had come loose. Since I had the repair done, I haven't used the camera much. I've only put one roll of film through it.

A few days ago it got stuck again. The winding lever jammed again and when I took the frame out the shutter was stuck open. The shutter release had no resistance as if the shutter wasn't cocked. When I had a chance to go to the repair shop two days later, the camera was fine. I did notice minor damage to the back of the shutter curtain I hadn't seen before. I took it to the shop, but as there was nothing wrong with the camera, they said everything was ok.

They also informed me that I should be trimming the leader on my M2, pointing to the sticker on the bottom of the camera, and saying this could have caused the shutter to get stuck. I know you're supposed to with the iii series cameras, but didn't think you had to with M's.

What could have caused the shutter to get stuck open? Could this be related to the repair that had been done to the camera previously? The repair had a 6 month warranty which is coming to an end.

 

[Erik van Straten]

I've never heard of any foam in the shutter of an M2, there are only velvet strips alongside the shutter gate. Maybe one came loose and caused the jam.

Send your M2 to a well known repairman. He will repair your camera and check functions so you can use it for many years to come.

Erik.

 

[jim_jm]

You shouldn't have to trim the leader for M bodies. I've never had a problem with my M2, and it was last serviced about 10 years ago. If your repairman is telling you to trim it, it sounds like they may not know as much about Leicas as you would hope. If they're unable to identify or correct the problem, I'd send it to Youxin Ye or one of the other repair folks mentioned here on the forum.

 

[Vickko]

As Erik said, one of the most common causes for an M shutter jam is the felt strips at the top and bottom of the shutter gate falls off, and when you wind or fire the shutter, it gets caught into the shutter tapes. Remember, the camera and glue are now 50+ years old and the glue has dried out.

It isn't hard to fix for a competent repair person.

Hard to diagnose what your second jam was all about, but, some shops test a camera for a number of days after a repair to make sure that it is all working. Some things take a "soak time" to settle in, and reveal abnormalities, requiring a second shot at the repair and adjustment.

A good shop should offer a repair warranty period.

Good luck.

 

[bukaj]

Thanks for the replies. It was the felt, that caused the first jam. Just used the wrong word.

I'm in the UK, so would prefer not to send the camera to the US. The shop specializes in Leicas, and I can't really afford to pay to have it fixed again right now.

I was hoping to see if someone familiar with the mechanics of the camera could tell me the reason for the second jam and if it could be related to the first/the repair.

To clarify the winding lever was stuck as if the shutter was cocked, but the shutter release button could be pushed down as if the shutter were not cocked. The shutters were fully open. Left the camera alone for a night, and the next morning everything is back to working properly.

I haven't been using the camera much lately, but will try to put a few rolls of film through it to see if the problem arises again.

 

[Hern]

If you are in the UK, you could send it to Peter of CRR Luton, although you might have to call in first. His prices are very reasonable indeed for good work.

 

[mooge]

To clarify the winding lever was stuck as if the shutter was cocked, but the shutter release button could be pushed down as if the shutter were not cocked. The shutters were fully open. Left the camera alone for a night, and the next morning everything is back to working properly.

The shutter release is locked when the camera is partially wound (it's a function of the big shutter drum? I forget). The wind lever is locked when the shutter is fully wound, and also when the shutter isn't fully closed. for example, if the closing shutter brake is too stiff, it won't allow the shutter drum to travel far enough to unlock the winding lever (which isn't your issue).

So if your shutter is stuck open it's normal for the shutter release to be unlocked but the wind lever locked.

There's something preventing the closing curtain from closing fully (or at all); it could be-
1. Not enough spring tension
2. Some sort of blockage
3. Too much friction (i.e. needs to be cleaned and relubricated)
4. Something else

I'd guess it's #2 given that you had to have one of the light seal felts repaired previously. But what do I know.





(here's shakycam imagery of what the light seal felts look like, in case you were wondering)