Shutter curtains on a Leica Ic

[frederikdalum]

Hi

I have recently inherited an old Leica Ic, with a 5cm Elmar lens on it. It is the model that did not have neither a viewfinder or rangefinder, but instead have one mounted on top.
My question is, I cant really tell if these shutter curtains are too old and need to be replaced?

I think it is attached as a photo to this post.

Thank you
Frederik

 

[xayraa33]

I would say those curtains are shot and need to be replaced.
Run a cheap film through that camera to confirm this fact.

 

[colyn]

The curtains do in fact need replacing. The rubberized coating had dried up and is badly cracked which will cause light leaks..

 

[jesse1dog]

Smart little camera well worth having - see if you can find a Leitz 5cm brightline finder to go with it.

jesse

 

[frederikdalum]

Thank you for your responses. I've found a place here in the Netherlands which can change the curtains for 65€. Not sure how to determine if it needs a CLA?

It is a nice little camera. A bit difficult to shoot with, since I have to zone-focus every time.

Thank you

 

[Blanc]

Curtains are shot, never heard of a curtain replacement that cheap!

 

[john neal]

Not sure how to determine if it needs a CLA?

If it needs new curtains, it almost certainly needs a CLA and should get one as part of the process, but that does seem cheap...

 

[frederikdalum]

Thank you for your response. I decided to try and shoot a roll of film with it. There are certain "light" holes, which i guess is from the shutter, my mostly the photos are really good. It does seem to be different, some of the photos have worse "light flares" than others.

 

[Mr_Flibble]

Hallo Frederik,

If you keep the lens cap on a much as possible between pictures, it will reduce the effect of the light leaks somewhat (and prevent the lens burning more holes in the curtains), But by the amount of pinholes evident in your photos I would say that it is high time to replace the curtains.

Looks like you had a good time on Queensday 😉

 

[frederikdalum]

Thank you. I will try that. I was a great day, just a shame with the curtains. Is looks like it is only the one side of the curtain which rolls forward when I wind for film. The other curtain looks "new". Is it possible to only replace one?

 

[xayraa33]

Thank you. I will try that. I was a great day, just a shame with the curtains. Is looks like it is only the one side of the curtain which rolls forward when I wind for film. The other curtain looks "new". Is it possible to only replace one?

You can replace just one curtain but your camera repair person can tell you if both curtains need to be replaced or not once he or she inspects the curtains in strong light when the body shell is removed from the frame casting.

 

[MISH]

I sent my IIIf to Youxin he told me that one of the shutter curtains was getting hard and needed to be replaced as I would be having trouble down the road. I chose to replace them both as the camera is nearly sixty years old and I want it to be good for another sixty. I also have a standard with no rangefinder and love shooting it with a CV 25/4 with the click stop focusing .... a match made in heaven

 

[Shac]

I had exaclty the same problem on my Ic and sent it to Youxin - he did an excellent job - as expected