Non working leica mr-4

[Zuzu]

Hi everyone,

I’ve recently bought a leica mr-4 light meter from Catawiki. And although the needle responds a bit, it’s not working as it should. I understand these little bundles used mercury batteries (px625), but I’ve an alkaline battery px625a just to see if the needle moves, which it does, but never goes towards the silver dot. Not even close.

Has anyone tried to repair the meter by themselves or do you need to send to a repairman? Or should I buy the Wein cell replacement battery before I do anything else first?

I really want the lightmeter to work, so I’m not interested in any other lightmeters. I only want to know if it’s repairable and worth the repaircosts. I bought it for 60 euro’s btw. If you guys think it needs repair, can you recommend me some places in the Netherlands or in Germany?

I also saw a title of book passing by, called leica repair handbook. Does anyone have it in pdf file?

thanks again for taking the time!

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

Many of those old meters have bad meter cells and you can't repair it yourself. Return it if you can.

Also, no one here is going to give you a PDF of a copyrighted book. Many of us are professional photographers who depend on people NOT stealing our work in order to feed our families, and most of the hobbyists here are good people who don't condone theft of a writer's work either. If you want the book, go buy it. But take my advice on that meter and return it.

 

[Gregm61]

DAG repairs these, and will re-calibrate for available batteries.

 

[Zuzu]

Many of those old meters have bad meter cells and you can't repair it yourself. Return it if you can.

Also, no one here is going to give you a PDF of a copyrighted book. Many of us are professional photographers who depend on people NOT stealing our work in order to feed our families, and most of the hobbyists here are good people who don't condone theft of a writer's work either. If you want the book, go buy it. But take my advice on that meter and return it.

thanks for the reply. Obviously I’m not asking anyone to steal anything from anyone. But searching for that book has been a nightmare to find or the cost is around 250 euro’s, which I find too expensive for a only a part that I’d like to read ( concerning the repair of the meter).

 

[Zuzu]

DAG repairs these, and will re-calibrate for available batteries.

Thank you! I’ve just emailed them.

but anyone else that can help out with the repair and share your wisdom is much appreciated🙂

 

[DRSummi]

Does your meter still have a sold tab to hold battery cover in place? I would check that along with any corrosion or contamination of the battery contacts. If I remember correctly, the battery test switch is in series with the light measurement tab. Bad connection will make the meter inoperative. That's all inside repair work for a professional like DAG.

 

[Sarcophilus Harrisii]

Hi everyone,

I’ve recently bought a leica mr-4 light meter from Catawiki. And although the needle responds a bit, it’s not working as it should. I understand these little bundles used mercury batteries (px625), but I’ve an alkaline battery px625a just to see if the needle moves, which it does, but never goes towards the silver dot. Not even close.

Has anyone tried to repair the meter by themselves or do you need to send to a repairman? Or should I buy the Wein cell replacement battery before I do anything else first?

I really want the lightmeter to work, so I’m not interested in any other lightmeters. I only want to know if it’s repairable and worth the repaircosts. I bought it for 60 euro’s btw. If you guys think it needs repair, can you recommend me some places in the Netherlands or in Germany?

I also saw a title of book passing by, called leica repair handbook. Does anyone have it in pdf file?

thanks again for taking the time!

If you are referring to Tomosy's Leica repair book, a Kindle edition is available online for under US $30.00. I have hard copies of nearly all his other manuals, but wasn't into Leica years ago when I purchased used copies of the others from an online seller for a few dollars each and I neglected to obtain that title. I don't much care for electronic books, I'd rather have an old fashioned paper edition; but, given recent selling prices for hard copies of that one, I bought the Kindle!

Link here:
https://www.amazon.com/Leica-Camera-.../dp/B0036FTNZY

Having said that, Chris is right. If you want a working meter (unless you're willing to send it to DAG Camera) it's probably easier to send this one back and purchase another that does work.

 

[Zuzu]

If you are referring to Tomosy's Leica repair book, a Kindle edition is available online for under US $30.00. I have hard copies of nearly all his other manuals, but wasn't into Leica years ago when I purchased used copies of the others from an online seller for a few dollars each and I neglected to obtain that title. I don't much care for electronic books, I'd rather have an old fashioned paper edition; but, given recent selling prices for hard copies of that one, I bought the Kindle!

Link here:
https://www.amazon.com/Leica-Camera-.../dp/B0036FTNZY

Having said that, Chris is right. If you want a working meter (unless you're willing to send it to DAG Camera) it's probably easier to send this one back and purchase another that does work.

Thank you for elaborate reply. I appreciate it!

I followed the link, but don’t seem able to choose the kindle version. Am I missing something?

 

[571514m3]

These mr4 are vintage as a model T Ford and the right to repair applies to them.

This might help:
http://feuerbacher.net/photo/repair/Leicameter/Leicameter.html

PM me, I’m about to take mine apart anf it behaves like yours so we may be able to help each other. I’ll wire it up so I can use LR44 cells.

 

[Zuzu]

These mr4 are vintage as a model T Ford and the right to repair applies to them.

This might help:
http://feuerbacher.net/photo/repair/Leicameter/Leicameter.html

PM me, I’m about to take mine apart anf it behaves like yours so we may be able to help each other. I’ll wire it up so I can use LR44 cells.

Exactly! That’s my sentiment too.

I’ll pm you for sure.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

I can't believe how much Tomosy's repair manual is going for now.

These are good books, I bought them when new for the $30 or so asking price. But upwards of $200?

There are public domain PDF manuals that go into greater detail for some of the Leica cameras, and many online tutorials that go into more detail. In general, I found the Tomosy book helpful- but not detailed enough.

 

[Zuzu]

I can't believe how much Tomosy's repair manual is going for now.

These are good books, I bought them when new for the $30 or so asking price. But upwards of $200?

There are public domain PDF manuals that go into greater detail for some of the Leica cameras, and many online tutorials that go into more detail. In general, I found the Tomosy book helpful- but not detailed enough.

It's indeed ridiculous. So I understand people not wanting to pay that exorbitant price. If someone could post pictures of the pages that deal with the repair of the mr lightmeters, that would be great.

 

[Zuzu]

Ok I've been reading around and found that I should try to zero the meter, by removing the battery and pressing on the metering cell for the needle to straddle the line coming from zero. I had to turn the screw on the bottom, but it managed to move exactly over zero. What does this say about the meter? I've put in a battery (px625A with 1.5v), but it doesn't move that much to be honest. It hovers a bit but nothing else. Should I buy a Weincell battery to properly test it?

 

[Sonnar Brian]

It sounds like the meter is dead- either a bad CDS cell or circuit board. I've read of others having a problem with the circuit board.

I would return the meter if at all possible.

 

[Beemermark]

I used to buy non-working MR meters decades ago and repair them - and I'm no camera repair guy. CDS cells rarely go bad and the surface mount technology used in the '70's (and every subsequent MR meter) is pretty idiot proof. You can use most of them with silver oxide batteries by zeroing the meter with the little screw underneath. Some will not go all the way to zero with the silver oxide batteries, but they should still give approximate results in daylight. Download a manual - https://www.butkus.org/chinon/flashe...a_meter_mr.htm. The MR and MR-4 meters are identical except for the arm. In my experience failures are due to breaking of plastic pieces (a little gear inside, the battery lid, so on) and corrosion on the circuit board which can be cleaned with some electronic cleaner and a tooth brush. My MR-4 meter failed about 6 months ago (and I've owned it for at least 20) so I sent it to DAG (my eyesight and hand steadiness prevents me from working on anything smaller than a 5.0L engine). $90 and it's as good as new. The link given by 571514m3 is all the information you need. I wouldn't remove the two screw to try and clean the window. Tomosy's repair manual does not cover repair of the meter if I remember correctly (I need to find that book if it's worth $200 -🙂)

 

[Sarcophilus Harrisii]

Thank you for elaborate reply. I appreciate it!

I followed the link, but don’t seem able to choose the kindle version. Am I missing something?

That Kindle book is probably the only purchase I've ever made via Amazon. I can see it there as an option, though, so I can only suggest the usual possibilities: alternative browser; alternative device; desktop v mobile versions of web page etc. Does Amazon have a site specific to your region you could try? I can see the Kindle book on both the main Amazon site and my local Australian site. I can't offer any more advice, sorry, perhaps other members with more experience using Amazon might have better suggestions. I don't think the purchase price of USD 24.06 is that unreasonable for a full, legal, copy of a copyrighted work.

 

[Nitroplait]

It sounds like your meter needs repair as many have noted. You ask for Netherlands options, and I'd recommend you ask Will van Manen for a quote.

Regarding battery. Wein cells are way too pricy.
There are dumb brass adapters on ebay and amazon that accommodate a cheap zinc-air hearing aid cell, they will give you the same voltage as a wein cell for much less - this is what I use for my Leicameter MR.
Kanto camera's MR-9 voltage adapter is also an option, but it is more expensive and uses the not-so-easy-to-find SR43 cells - but the SR cell last longer than a zinc-air cell.
Whatever you do, don't use alkaline (LR), the depletion curve is terrible and it is more likely to leak than a silver oxide battery (SR).

 

[Zuzu]

It sounds like your meter needs repair as many have noted. You ask for Netherlands options, and I'd recommend you ask Will van Manen for a quote.

Regarding battery. Wein cells are way too pricy.
There are dumb brass adapters on ebay and amazon that accommodate a cheap zinc-air hearing aid cell, they will give you the same voltage as a wein cell for much less - this is what I use for my Leicameter MR.
Kanto camera's MR-9 voltage adapter is also an option, but it is more expensive and uses the not-so-easy-to-find SR43 cells - but the SR cell last longer than a zinc-air cell.
Whatever you do, don't use alkaline (LR), the depletion curve is terrible and it is more likely to leak than a silver oxide battery (SR).

I’ve reached out to Wil van Manen en the repaircosts is around 120 euro’s with six month guarantee. Worth it? Or try to fix it on my own by opening it up and do some cleaning?

 

[Zuzu]

That Kindle book is probably the only purchase I've ever made via Amazon. I can see it there as an option, though, so I can only suggest the usual possibilities: alternative browser; alternative device; desktop v mobile versions of web page etc. Does Amazon have a site specific to your region you could try? I can see the Kindle book on both the main Amazon site and my local Australian site. I can't offer any more advice, sorry, perhaps other members with more experience using Amazon might have better suggestions. I don't think the purchase price of USD 24.06 is that unreasonable for a full, legal, copy of a copyrighted work.

if I can find it for 24 usd dollars, then it’s a no brainer but I can’t justify paying around 260 euro’s for it. I’ll try using different browers and see if that works.

 

[David Hughes]

In your shoes I would ask a local, or known to you, repair shop.

Cameras have internal meters that need repairing and so on and they are normally repaired; so there's no reason why an older one cannot be done. It might even be easier as they are simpler and larger...

FWIW I have and use old meters with various cameras of the same age; the oldest I have had repaired was a 1930's Leicameter. The only one I have yet got sorted out is a round 1930's FED one but I hope to get it done one of these days.

Regards, David