some problems with M2

[lubitel]

After a few months of having my M2 and slowly coming back to my senses after all the excitement of using my first Leica, I think I am noticing a few problems with the camera.

1. I have noticed that some shots (may be 1 or 2 per roll) have a dark stripe on the right usually when shot at a slow speed like 1/15th. After opening the back and looking at how the curtains close with slow speeds I noticed that the first curtain slows down sometimes, just before reaching the end.

2. I shot about 10 rolls so far and had about 3-4 shots that were overlapping. On the last film it happened twice. Is this may be due to the fact that I didnt wind it enough, or too fast?

3. I have had a couple of shots that had a strange underexposed look to them. These were shot during the day probably at 250th to 1000th. "Strange" because they werent evenly exposed, but had some areas that were darker than others.

So it sounds like I should bring it back to the shop i got it from and request a repair. It does have a 1year garantee.

Other than these problems that worry me - I enjoy using the camera a lot. It did not make me a better photographer (surprise) 🙂 but it does make picture taking a pleasure. Strangely M2 also made me appreciate my bessa-R more: the comfort of a TTL meter and lighter weight makes it a great take it anywhere camera.

thanks for listening, and if you have some comments regarding the problems or using M2 in general post them here.

 

[sebastel]

possibly a CLA will do it ..
i have a IIIc that had a similar prob which was gone after a little session at the local repair shop. whether standard CLA does it, or further repair is necessary, i cannot tell, of course.

cheers
sebastian

 

[Kim Coxon]

This sounds like you have a shutter brake problem. A CLA will almost certainly cure the problem but it is something that I would consider to be a fault and therefore it should be done under warrenty. Not sure about the wind problem with the overlap but it does seem that the camera is in of some proffessional TLC.

Kim

 

[markinlondon]

My latest M2 body has a similar problem with the shutter at higher speeds. I'm negotiating a warranty repair at the moment. It didn't show up until I'd run about six rolls through it.

 

[Kim Coxon]

If the problem is at the higher speeds, I would more inclined to think that it was caused by "capping" rather than the brake. If the brake was causing a problem at the higher speeds, you would be more likely to get bounce which would result in a lighter edge rather than a dark line.

Kim

My latest M2 body has a similar problem with the shutter at higher speeds. I'm negotiating a warranty repair at the moment. It didn't show up until I'd run about six rolls through it.

 

[Flyfisher Tom]

All the problems you mentioned are easily remedied by a full CLA from a qualified repairperson.

If you are under warranty, I'd recommend you negotiate with the shop for it to be sent to a Leica specialist in the EU (as opposed to just their in-store repair person whose actual Leica training/experience might not be as well developed).

I don't know who the experts are in the EU, but in the States, you would send it to either Don Goldberg (DAG) or Sherry Krauter, both have done good work on my cameras.

good luck

 

[Kim Coxon]

Sohms in Germany and CRR in the UK😉

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?p=412584#post412584

Kim

I don't know who the experts are in the EU, but in the States, you would send it to either Don Goldberg (DAG) or Sherry Krauter, both have done good work on my cameras.

good luck

 

[markinlondon]

Sohms in Germany and CRR in the UK😉

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?p=412584#post412584

Kim

Thanks for the advice on the shutter problem, Kim. A lighter edge is exactly what I have, to the extent of 3/4 of the frame at 1/1000th 😡 . That sounds like the ideal list of repairers.

 

[Ronald M]

Send it with the negs and a letter explaining exactly what is wrong. The more they understand the problem, the better the chance of a perfect repair.

I usually tape the sleeved negs to the letter and /or write on the sleeve.

 

[lubitel]

what could such a repair cost - about $200? I just called the shop, and they said they dont necessarily cover 100% of the costs - it all depends on how expensive the repair is. 🙁 I felt like after buying a car: "yes, its under warranty, BUT this part is not covered by it"

 

[sebastel]

yevgenij,
the CLA/repair cost really depends on the time needed to finish it (adding cost of parts, if necessary). the cost can be rather high, even exceeding the $200,- mark, but usually should be lower. no one can exactly tell in advance ...

the CLA of my IIIc was about $120,- and was considered on the expensive side of the scale.

cheers
sebastian

 

[clintock]

Many classic Leica sit unused for decades, and the shutter does fire, but the oils and greases dry out to the point that the shutter curtain springs cannot overcome the friction consistently, thus make the shutter move too slowly sometimes.
Youxin Ye here in Boston can do the CLA on m2,3,4,p and screw types for 80 dollars or so. I just went to his house this last sunday and observed the CLA of my M3 and IIf; both had been doing things just as described above in this thread. Now both are amazing- accurate and smooth.

 

[Kim Coxon]

A Full service from CRR is around £165 but specific jobs can be less. A shutter repair is about half this and a wind repair slightly less than that. More info here http://www.angelfire.com/biz/Leica/page9.html

I would expect Sohms to be somewhat more.

The US tends to be cheaper but you may have problems with customs and then there is extra shipping involved.

Kim

 

[lubitel]

Thanks,

I would rather do it through the place I bought it at, the person at the shop said they dont send it to Leica, because it would cost more than the camera, they send it to an experienced repair-shop that "do a good job".

 

[markinlondon]

I'd agree re holding out for the dealer to fix it, Lubitel. even on used kit I think we have EU law on our side. I've just spoken to my dealer re my problem and they said "of course it's under warranty". We shall see...

 

[Tom A]

the shutter problem and the slow down at the end of the shutter travel (black edge intruding in the image) is fairly common with M's that have been sitting idle for a while. Provided that the curtains are Ok and that the felt traps in the slots that the curtains run in are nice and tight - it should only be an adjustment of the speeds (balancing the first and second curtain to open and close correctly). The felt trap can coma adrift and become a "sped bump" for the curtains.
The overlapping most likley is a slipping take up spool. If there is not enough friction between the shaft and the inside of the spool AND if you are advancing fast (snapping the lever hard) - the shaft can turn a bit faster than the spool, resulting in a slight over-lap. Neither of these problem are complex and should be cheap to fix and should be under "warranty" if the shop wants to keep your business! tell them that the use of a M2 requires film, lots of film and if they want to sell it to you, it is in their interest to keep you happy!