MP warfare

[JHP]

So, my MP is well used. In it's time I've burnt a hole in the shutter, which is patched up with liquid electrical tape (worked perfectly), and dropped it on its rewind knob, which has caused the winding of film to be much tougher. It advances like butter when a film ISN'T in it, but when film is in it, it's very tough to advance the shutter.

Any idea what part of the mechanism might be bent/damaged in order for this to happen? It's a minor annoyance more than a real issue, but coming from how buttery this MP used to be to advance, to how it is now, is unfortunate.

EDIT *** It's almost certainly the rewind knob which I have bent, and has become very stiff, causing the film to be very stiff on advance. I wonder how I can take the rewind knob out to straighten it?

:bang::bang::bang:

 

[jbrianfoto]

There is a military manual available on ebay that was used by Army technicians who were servicing M2's back when they were in the inventory. It provides all of the instructions on how to disassemble an M2 or any other similar type of body. You'll need a set of special wrenches (made of brass I think, also available on the Web) I think a copy of that manual is only $25 or so. I'd say start there if you're set on fixing this yourself. Otherwise, it is an expensive camera, just send it off to Youxin Ye and have him straighten it out (he's VERY reasonable and low cost - easy to work with).

 

[chikne]

errr never mind $25, here's the URL:

http://www.pentax-manuals.com/manuals/service/leica_m2_service.pdf

 

[noisycheese]

@JHP,

You have probably bent the shaft that is connected to the rewind knob. This happened to my MP although I could not figure out how I did this.

I would urge you to send your MP off to have it repaired by a qualified Leica repair technician. Sherry Krauter is who I would recommend based on past experience with her (call her, don't rely on email).

Her website: http://www.sherrykrauter.com/

 

[rolfe]

Yes, don't try this yourself. Send it to Sherry or DAG. Won't be a big repair bill, but they will do it right. I've done this by dropping my bag when the camera was in the bag with the rewind crank facing down...

Rolfe

 

[SolaresLarrave]

One more vote for the professional repair person. However handy you may be... it may be worse for you and your wallet if you try do this yourself. Just let it go... have someone else fix it. 🙂 You'll survive. And so will your camera!

 

[JHP]

You're right guys, trouble is it's risky, expensive and frankly scary shipping internationally all the way from New Zealand to the States, etc. Youxin had my MP feeling smooth like my M2 (until I dropped it) and masked my frame lines to 35,50 only.

 

[jonmanjiro]

EDIT *** It's almost certainly the rewind knob which I have bent, and has become very stiff, causing the film to be very stiff on advance. I wonder how I can take the rewind knob out to straighten it?

Its easy to remove the rewind knob on an MP. You just need to prevent the shaft from spinning (I use a piece of thick plastic placed between the forks on the underside of the shaft inside the camera) while loosening and removing the small screw with two little dimple holes in it on top of the shaft. I've successfully used two toothpicks with their ends chopped off to loosen and remove this screw. I think you'd be better off replacing the shaft rather than trying to straighten it though.

Take a look at the photos at the website below to get a better idea of what you need to do to get the shaft out.

http://feuerbacher.net/photo/repair/LeicaMP/LeicaMP.html

 

[iphoenix]

You're right guys, trouble is it's risky, expensive and frankly scary shipping internationally all the way from New Zealand to the States, etc.

If I remember correctly, there is a long-term Leica Service Agent in Auckland; at least there was around 12 months ago. Sorry, I can't give you the name.

Otherwise, if Australia is considered a safer bet for your camera than the U.S., I have sent cameras from Melbourne to Perth on 3 occasions and only had excellent results. I can recommend: Camera Electronic Service Co., 230 Stirling St., Perth, W.Aust., 6000. (www. cameraelectronic.com.au).

Regards,

David

 

[ferider]

It could be the rewind shaft that needs to be replaced (easy to do but you need the part), or the top plate. While I wouldn't mind doing this myself on M2 or 3, the more expensive MP I would also send in.

The part can be ordered from Leica but first you need to take it out and check.

Roland.

 

[ferider]

It could be the rewind shaft that needs to be replaced (easy to do but you need the part), or the top plate. While I wouldn't mind doing this myself on M2 or 3, the more expensive MP I would also send in.

The part can be ordered from Leica but first you need to take it out and check.

Roland.

 

[ferider]

It could be the shaft or the top plate being bent. You need to take the shaft out to check (see Jon's instructions). A replacement part can be mail ordered from Leica. Straightening the old one will likely break it and it's a high stress part.

If you need to replace the top plate, it's easy too, but I recommend to buy spanners from eBay first.

I wouldn't mind doing all this on an M2 or 3, but an MP, I would send in too. They'll also replace the curtains if you want.

Roland.

 

[jbrianfoto]

errr never mind $25, here's the URL:

http://www.pentax-manuals.com/manuals/service/leica_m2_service.pdf

That's even better 🙂