Odd IIIc issue.

cnphoto

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picked up this beautiful Leica IIIc this afternoon (finally), but i've noticed something odd. i knew that i would most likely need to put this in for a CLA after purchase, but all of the shutterspeeds appear to operating perfectly (or nearer to perfect than I would expect from a camera of this age) bar 3 of the settings.

on the slow shutterspeed dial the 1/30th, 1/4, 1/2 and 1 second shutterspeeds all near to being exact but the 1/20th, 1/15th and 1/10th are off. they are shooting the same speed as the corresponding number on the other side of the dial!

i.e. 1/20th is firing at 1/4, 1/15th is firing at 1/2 and 1/10th is firing at 1 second. identical to the opposing shutterspeeds.

has anyone ever encountered a problem like this before? it's really perplexing me. i would have imagined that all shutterspeeds would be off or out of wack in a slowly decending manner, but not like the error i am encountering.

other than that, the camera is near perfect. good contrast on the RF, bright clean VF, shutter curtains look great. i'm wondering if perhaps this could be the error of a past CLA (or DIY CLA) gone wrong?
 
Sounds like sticking slow-speed linkage to me...

Try leaving it in the warm sun (wrapped in a dark towel, if you like), getting nice and toasty, the ntry manipulating the camera through all the slow speeds several times... sometimes the warmth (90 - 120 deg F) loosens the goo enough for things to work... until things cool-down and gel again.)

This is more of a diagnostic than a solution...

I have a couple III-series Barnacks with grumpy/inactive slow-speeds; I don't need these speeds very often, so it'll get taken care-of whenever the cameras get CLA'd.

Good luck !

Luddite Frank
 
Not sticking, clearly. Do 1/4, 1/2 and 1 fire as they should? This is a one-way "mirror image" sort of thing translated into time. The slow speeds are controlled by an escapement, possibly two escapements, and maybe the linkages are not assembled correctly... just speculation.
 
Yes, the 1second 1/2 second and 1/4 second times all fire almost dead-on exact. That's the part that confuses me, and my initial thoughts where exactly along the lines of yours.
 
Actually no, I tried it again this morning and now all of the slow shutterspeeds are slow or hesitant. Gunked up lubricant.

I'll run a roll or two through her not using the slow shutterspeeds to make sure all else is fine then put her in for a CLA.

Would anyone have service manual for the 3C? I've only found manuals for the 3f online. I've performed a few successful repairs and CLA's so would like to look at the complexity of CLA'ing this camera. There's a certain increased sense of ownership for me with cameras I service myself 🙂
 
I understand that the differences between the two models are trivial, little more than those that concern flash synchronisation. You will probably be safe using the IIIf manual. If you cannot find a copy to download, write to me at uthappam AT gmail DOT com. I have a PDF file.
 
Just an idea ... couldn't it be possible that the slower time button was fitted 'mirrored' in a previous repair or CLA? (I only have a IIF, so I can't check the connection.)
Anyhow: sounds like a CLA is worthwile since slow speeds are sluggish. I only restored Zorki's, but since Barnack Leica's are more or less of the same construction, DIY CLA should be feasible.
There are several online manuals.
 
Thanks for the links guys, I have also contacted Youxin. So if I get part through dismantling and get cold feet I can put the camera back together and ship it out for a CLA from him.

The only other question I have is, which lubricant(s) should I use? I have only found reference to Super Fine Oil weight 20g.
 
The only other question I have is, which lubricant(s) should I use? I have only found reference to Super Fine Oil weight 20g.

From my personal experience I think being very reluctant with oil is the most important hint. The reason: over time oil tends to creep op to places where you don't want it (finder glass, shutter curtains etc.).

I repaired/restored quite some camera bodies using simple 'sewing machine oil'. After years they still work fine. For rougher gear connections I have the thickest grade watch maker oil (Koch Uhrenöl Sorte 5) or preferably bearing grease. For finest gearings (e.g. slow time escapements) I dilute oil with some lighter fluid, and I only oil the bearing tips with 'microscopical' small drops from a syringe. Oiling the gears in Zorki escapements which I started with generally stopped them from functioning, at least in my case. Washing the whole escapement thorougly in lighter fluid brought them back to life again.
Before lubricating wash everything very carefully with drops of lighter fluid and use the syringe for 'micro-doses' too. Take care not to spill any oil or lighter fluid on cloth curtains.
 
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