Rotating Strap lug

[kully]

Hallo,

I noticed at the end of the Berlin meet that one of the strap lugs on my M2 (the one the wrist strap is attached to) can be easily rotated. I checked to see if it is screwed in without film but it seems to be a rivet.

Is this something I should worry about? Light leaks?

And. If I wanted it replaced how much do you reckon I'd be hit for?

cheers,
kully

 

[Sparrow]

They have to dismantle it to re-rivet it, that’s what he said anyway…..just after I said HOW MUCH

 

[Roger Hicks]

Nothing to worry about. Leicas can last for decades without having this problem solved: one of my M2s has had this 'problem' for at least 20 years. In 39 years of using Leicas I have seen precisely one with a pulled-out strap lug and I have never heard of light leaks unless the lug is pulled out.

Cheers,

R.

 

[tripod]

Think of it as a feature rather than a fault. 😉

 

[laptoprob]

When I used my M4-2 for the first time last year, one of the not-so-tight lugs came out. Not attached to a wriststrap but to the original strap.
A wriststrap may cause more rotating force on a lug.
A merely rotating lug is not that big a problem, but the metal will wear out.
You could try to glue it to stop it rotating. Thin superglue in a syringe?

 

[kully]

Cheers for the replies everyone. Peter at CRR has quoted me a reasonable price for a fix and I wanted to get the frame-counter sorted anyway (no friction).

 

[tripod]

So, you're asking him to make the other one rotate too? 😉

 

[kemal_mumcu]

My M2 has the same problem. It came to me this way. I have always been afraid to use a strap and so I have been using a wrist strap instead. I didn't realize how much this cramped my style till I did some all day shoots with it. Not being able to shoulder the camera is a real pain for me.

Since the camera was needing a CLA anyway I will send it in to fix both issues at once.

Apparently there are no M2 style alloy lugs being made anymore and so all re-lugging is done with the newer style M steel lugs (current generation). The steel lugs are probably better but the look is different. Apparently the only way that one can get the old syle lugs is to replace the whole shell??

Apparently replacing lugs requires a certain press tool to do the job. The first guy I checked out wasn't able to perform the task.

 

[Bill Blackwell]

Those who have had this problem and ignored it for an extended period of time have been lucky. This is a prime source for a light leak - especially is it's on the right (film take-up) side of the camera.

Older M cameras had rivet style strap lugs, while newer M cameras have a setscrew (one of the few improvements over the years).

 

[cosmonot]

My dad's M4P had a loose lug, and it separated from the body while walking down a beach. Luckily it hit sand, not rock. His M2 developed this problem too (lug on the same side, near the advance lever) and we are speculating that the previous owner used a wrist strap or "sling," giving us loose lugs to deal with at the next CLA. Never any light leaks, but with any lens heavier than a 50/2 I'd be wary when carrying with the strap.

 

[OldNick]

I have one that will rotate part-way on a Leica IIIa. It needs a CLA, so I was hoping to have it tightened. I appreciate all of the inputs of this thread.

Jim N.

 

[ferider]

Can the body shell be taken off without touching the top plate (to access the rivet) ? Anybody knows ?

Thanks,

Roland.

 

[literiter]

Some years ago I had a M3 on which both strap lugs were loose. I sent the thing to Leica (Midland) for replacement. They replaced the lugs but also managed to crack the Vulcanite on both sides. I don't have the camera anymore.

My M2, which I still have, has developed the dreaded loose lug syndrome (LLS) but I'll not be sending the thing anywhere. No light leaks so no problems. I suspect a drop of cyano glue would solve the problem anyway if it were serious.

 

[Bill Blackwell]

I have asked Don Goldberg ("DAG") to email me a picture of one - I'll post it once it arrives.

Here they are! The three main variations can be seen.

 

[januaryman]

Some years ago I had a M3 on which both strap lugs were loose. I sent the thing to Leica (Midland) for replacement. They replaced the lugs but also managed to crack the Vulcanite on both sides. I don't have the camera anymore.

My M2, which I still have, has developed the dreaded loose lug syndrome (LLS) but I'll not be sending the thing anywhere. No light leaks so no problems. I suspect a drop of cyano glue would solve the problem anyway if it were serious.

I found my new-to-me M2 also has LLS, worsened by the leather protectors that I use to encircle the lug in my attempt to stop further scratching by the metal strap rings. (They act like tiny grippers to turn the lugs by adding to the friction factor.) The suggestion of a strong glue sound like a winner. Crazy Glue gel was applied to the metal pinch holders on my briefcase over a year ago and it still will not open by accident. I may give this a try onm my camera. A TINY drop. Thanks for the idea.

 

[literiter]

I'd like a rally nice looking case for my Leicas that would hold the camera securely, and provide a neck strap.
The half cases I've seen thus far allow only the use lugs. The original case I got with my old M2 does not use the lugs ( but what an ugly old bugger ) and if the knurled knob with the screw for the tripod hole should unwind itself the camera could fall.

The lugs on my Nikon F2 are vastly superior. They hold a heavier camera and yet show almost no wear for the thirty years. No LLS on my F2.

 

[januaryman]

The lugs on my Nikon F2 are vastly superior. They hold a heavier camera and yet show almost no wear for the thirty years. No LLS on my F2.

Yeah, but then you're stuck with an F2! 😉

 

[1alfred]

Here they are! The three main variations can be seen.

I`ve got an M6 where the previous owner removed the straplugs. The only trace is two tiny setscrews on each side of the camera. I was told that he probably filled the hole between the screws, because this is where the lug is supposed to be pressed in. Now, in the photos I can see a lug that might fit, that looks like it`s supposted to be fastened by two screws... Does anyone know who sells them ?

 

[Steve Litt]

I`ve got an M6 where the previous owner removed the straplugs. The only trace is two tiny setscrews on each side of the camera. I was told that he probably filled the hole between the screws, because this is where the lug is supposed to be pressed in. Now, in the photos I can see a lug that might fit, that looks like it`s supposted to be fastened by two screws... Does anyone know who sells them ?

Micro-tools have them here is a link to the US site they also have a European site but,its down for maintenance right now.No affiliation just a satisfied customer in the past.

https://www.micro-tools.com/store/SearchByKeyword.aspx?word=leica



Regards
Steve

 

[1alfred]

Thank you for the link; it`s just that the lugs from MT won`t fit. I need those in the photograph with two holes for screws.... Who sells them ? But again, thank you for trying to help!