simplifying a leica? remove lugs and such

[Pablito]

So this might be a really weird question for some but I have a thought about finding a Leica M4 and then removing as much "features" as possible.

we're talking removing strap lugs, ISO-dial and the frameline-adjustment lever before giving it new vulcanite without the cutouts.


who should I talk about this with?


thanks
/Lucas

Your therapist?

 

[BarnabyN]

OP, it's your camera, not all cameras are purchased for resale but for use, do what you want ....

After removing the shell, I filled the holes with "Liquid Weld" (an epoxy). Aki Asahi provided a cover sans holes. In my case I wanted permanent 50/90mm framelines in this M3. In your case you might only want to take the frameline lever off (not the whole mechanism), since you might want the frame-line mechanism to continue working. You can find a diagram how the M2 frameline lever is assembled in http://pentax-manuals.com/manuals/service/leica_m2_service.pdf. M4 is identical except for having a different lever.

You can fill lug holes in the same way.

Not sure about the ISO dial - never had it disassembled, you might want to replace the back-door with an M4P door instead.

Roland.

That looks really good.

 

[Lucasnilsson]

Thanks for all the replies guys! More help than I could ever hope for. I'll have a look around for a M4 that I can start out with!

Don't do it, you would have to open the camera, and then you have to calibrate the RF again. besides this, you would destroy any resale value of this body. To give you an idea, I had to pay 450 EUR, just for a repair of a SINGLE LUG in Solms.

I do buy my cameras to use them. Not reselling them, this sounds odd to some people but I concider every camera that I buy something that I will not be able to sell again.






And for buying a simple camera and not wanting a Leica. can you point me in the right direction of a simple camera, without any levers, automatic functions, frameline selectors and such - BUT with a good viewfinder, rangefinder and built as solid as a Leica? please.

 

[ruby.monkey]

Don't forget the flash sockets.

 

[CameraQuest]

So this might be a really weird question for some but I have a thought about finding a Leica M4 and then removing as much "features" as possible.

we're talking removing strap lugs, ISO-dial and the frameline-adjustment lever before giving it new vulcanite without the cutouts.


who should I talk about this with?


thanks
/Lucas

why not remove the film too?

a nice simple smart phone camera might fit your designs better

Stephen

 

[lam]

This thread just makes me think of Chapman..

though, not sure how much lighter it'd be...

I see this no different than changing red dots to black dots, film advance levers, levers in general, grip/skins..

If you see fit to it, do it! why does everyone have to have the same damn camera? does it justify a purchase more?

 

[Lucasnilsson]

haha. I must admit that it's a bit hilarious that people take offense in that I want to remove things that I have not used once in over four years of everyday use and instead tell me to buy a cellphone camera or remove the film from the camera aswell.

can anyone tell me a good reason to:

keep the strap lugs when I don't use a strap?
keep the frameline lever selector when I just use one lens?
keep the iso-dial when I never use it?


A leica is just a camera like a canon or nikon, it's just a tool. Alot of people seems to think that they're magical though

 

[sepiareverb]

They will do anything you ask them to within their ability.

Leica NJ has been less than accommodating with modification requests beyond framelines or VF magnification ("Couldn't" add lugs to my O serie for example). I've heard tell that they are more adventurous in Germany, black chroming your M9 or whatever...

 

[Lucasnilsson]

Don't forget the flash sockets.

I've thought about this aswell but decided against it since I keep my thumb against the socket-cover when shooting

 

[Roger Hicks]

I've thought about this aswell but decided against it since I keep my thumb against the socket-cover when shooting

Wimp! Heretic! Person of insufficiently refined sensibility!

(Supply further insults at your leisure).

Cheers,

R.

 

[tunalegs]

haha. I must admit that it's a bit hilarious that people take offense in that I want to remove things that I have not used once in over four years of everyday use and instead tell me to buy a cellphone camera or remove the film from the camera aswell.

can anyone tell me a good reason to:

keep the strap lugs when I don't use a strap?
keep the frameline lever selector when I just use one lens?
keep the iso-dial when I never use it?


A leica is just a camera like a canon or nikon, it's just a tool. Alot of people seems to think that they're magical though

Why do you own a camera made with strap lugs if you do not use a strap? Why do you own a camera with interchangeable lenses, if you only use one lens? Why do you own a camera with an ISO reminder dial if you don't use ISO rated films? 😉

I think the best tool for you might be something along the lines of an Argus A.

If I want a hammer, I do not bash an axe until it is blunt enough to be used as a hammer. 🙂

 

[splitimageview]

Hah. 🙂

Thanks for the Chapman reference. Many of my friends (not to mention myself) are car enthusiasts. I don't think a single one of them has purchased a car from a manufacturer and then proceeded not to change something about it.

Why not with a camera?

 

[jmkelly]

Hah. 🙂

Thanks for the Chapman reference. Many of my friends (not to mention myself) are car enthusiasts. I don't think a single one of them has purchased a car from a manufacturer and then proceeded not to change something about it.

Why not with a camera?

Yes, why not? DO it! Roland's M3 mod is pretty. I've done my share of hacking/modding Leica IIIs and Contax IIs. Did nothing to improve resale value, but who cares? I started with bodies that were bricks found on eBay anyway.

 

[Joakim Målare]

If I want a hammer, I do not bash an axe until it is blunt enough to be used as a hammer. 🙂

I agree, use a Leica instead.

Actually, the fact that a modification probably decreases the value of the camera allows you to start concentrating on using it rather than selling it, which is the point of buying it in the first place.

I replaced the shutter curtains in my M3 without any prior experience and now I'm reassembling my Rolleiflex after a complete tear down, also without really knowing what I'm doing. Both cameras will be fine, but I could never guarantee that if I was to sell any of them, so I'll keep them and use them.

Make your camera personal and enjoy using it!

 

[kokoshawnuff]

Removing all those things doesn't make the camera more simple mechanically, just aesthetically. And therefore removing those things on a Leica doesn't make it more of a "tool", it just makes it look more like a tool. It ok to do what you want with your camera, but lets not get into the whole 'my Leica is a tool just like my hammer and screwdriver'

 

[Lucasnilsson]

Removing all those things doesn't make the camera more simple mechanically, just aesthetically. And therefore removing those things on a Leica doesn't make it more of a "tool", it just makes it look more like a tool. It ok to do what you want with your camera, but lets not get into the whole 'my Leica is a tool just like my hammer and screwdriver'

I dont like the frameline selector on my M6 since it's placed where I'd like to have my finger and I don't like the lugs that pokes out into my hand when i'm holding the camera.

just making the camera ergonomics a bit better for my uses. I think that would fall in the "making my camera more of a tool"




I like the leica for its simplicity, good viewfinder and rangefinder along with good lenses. but there's always things that can be improved IMO. but then again I sold my 35 summilux and got a 35 summarit instead. It's all preferences

 

[Roger Hicks]

I dont like the frameline selector on my M6 since it's placed where I'd like to have my finger and I don't like the lugs that pokes out into my hand when i'm holding the camera.

just making the camera ergonomics a bit better for my uses. I think that would fall in the "making my camera more of a tool"

I like the leica for its simplicity, good viewfinder and rangefinder along with good lenses. but there's always things that can be improved IMO. but then again I sold my 35 summilux and got a 35 summarit instead. It's all preferences

Exactly.Especially the highlights.

Cheers,

R.

 

[tonyramos]

some framelines on my M6 were removed and it makes for a clutter free view.
the advance lever was also changed to the MP type.
(thanks to the previous owner).

it's a tool. it should suit the user. 😎

happy new year!

 

[Harry Lime]

A leica is just a camera like a canon or nikon, it's just a tool. Alot of people seems to think that they're magical though

It's a free country. Do what you want, it's your camera.

But you sure are expending a awful lot of effort on customizing a camera like someone would a motorbike, when it's just a tool to take pictures...

This seems to be more about aesthetics than functionality or actually taking pictures.

 

[Roger Hicks]

It's a free country. Do what you want, it's your camera.

But you sure are expending a awful lot of effort on customizing a camera like someone would a motorbike, when it's just a tool to take pictures...

This seems to be more about aesthetics than functionality or actually taking pictures.

Hang on, hang on... A motorcycle is just a tool from going from A to B. Which is why the heads on my BMW R100RS are gas-flowed and twin-plugged, and the oilways enlarged to avoid cavitation.

Cheers,

R.