Surface corrosion on chrome = bad sign?

[Horatio]

I understand that internal corrosion is a VERY bad thing for older cameras. Are minor, but widespread, pinpricks of corrosion on external chrome a warning sign? How about fungus on vulcanite or, God forbid, shutter curtains?

I'm asking this as an offshoot to my thread on bargain M-series Leicas. I realize that buying at auction, and not from an established camera dealer, is a crapshoot. How does one avoid a turd? I suppose it would behoove one to make sure the item can be returned, if it is unacceptable.

Any thoughts or comments would be appreciated.

 

[Horatio]

Here's a sample of what I mean.

 

[Ricoh]

I suppose if you can turn a blind-eye to surface corrosion, and otherwise the camera is fully operational, then it’s possibility. For me it would do my head in. I’m thinking particularly about the zinc M6 - it looks rabid when the pitting breaks out and there’s not much that can be done about it.

Fungus on vulcanite suggests it hasn’t been looked after, stored correctly. On the shutter curtains? That’s a good reason to walk away, unless it’s really cheap to allow professional repair.

 

[Horatio]

I suppose if you can turn a blind-eye to surface corrosion, and otherwise the camera is fully operational, then it’s possibility. For me it would do my head in. I’m thinking particularly about the zinc M6 - it looks rabid when the pitting breaks out and there’s not much that can be done about it.

Fungus on vulcanite suggests it hasn’t been looked after, stored correctly. On the shutter curtains? That’s a good reason to walk away, unless it’s really cheap to allow professional repair.

Those would be my thoughts as well. Thanks for confirmation.

The vulcanite can be easily replaced. No mention of fungus on shutter, but it appears chalky, so I suspect storage in humid conditions.

Still, I might consider buying to repair. What do you consider cheap?

 

[raydm6]

Some aluminum cameras just turn fugly as there is no plating protection - like anodizing - added to the exposed aluminum. Not sure if anything can be done to beautify the metal.

 

[Dralowid]

The symptoms you describe are those of a camera kept in damp or humid conditions, the worst climate for storage.

What else might the damp have done? To rangefinder silvering or viewfinder coatings? To mechanics?

If so your repair won't come cheap.

I was once offered an unmarked and almost unused M3 plus a lovely set of lenses that had all spent their time in NZ. Cheap too...but junk.

 

[Ricoh]

Those would be my thoughts as well. Thanks for confirmation.

The vulcanite can be easily replaced. No mention of fungus on shutter, but it appears chalky, so I suspect storage in humid conditions.

Still, I might consider buying to repair. What do you consider cheap?

For the example, of the order of £500 I guess, but somewhat academic as I would not purchase. Leica Ms are over priced and if my budget couldn’t go to a good well looked after example I’d consider something else. For example I picked up an FM2 complete with a 50/1.4 and a 35-70/3.5 for £400 off the Bay, and the camera in particular is in really nice condition, not that the lenses have been maltreated just that the cosmetic condition of the 50 shows it’s been well used, but optically there’s no concern apart from a few specs of dust.

 

[Horatio]

For the example, of the order of £500 I guess, but somewhat academic as I would not purchase. Leica Ms are over priced and if my budget couldn’t go to a good well looked after example I’d consider something else. For example I picked up an FM2 complete with a 50/1.4 and a 35-70/3.5 for £400 off the Bay, and the camera in particular is in really nice condition, not that the lenses have been maltreated just that the cosmetic condition of the 50 shows it’s been well used, but optically there’s no concern apart from a few specs of dust.

Thanks, Ricoh. I’d be more inclined to make a low offer if I were a skilled camera tech! There’s only so much one can determine from photos and ad copy. I agree, there’s not much point in buying something for $500 if it needs $1000 in repair, unless it is rare.

 

[David Hughes]

Trouble is, to avoid pitting look for chrome on brass but those ones date back to the 1950's and so there's bound to be something wrong or else they will be excellent and cost a fortune; OTOH, you could just be lucky.

I assume looks are important as they can't usually be sorted out but the mechanics can; given a deep pocket...

Regards, David

PS Does fungus attack vulcanite or shutter material? I've never heard of it.

 

[seany65]

Some aluminum cameras just turn fugly as there is no plating protection - like anodizing - added to the exposed aluminum. Not sure if anything can be done to beautify the metal.

I thought Aluminium was so reactive that Aluminium Oxide was formed on the surface instantly whenever any new bit was exposed to air?

So are some not actually pure aluminium and it's the other metal the aluminium is alloyed with that goes "fugly"?

 

[itsjustaride]

The vulcanite can be easily replaced. No mention of fungus on shutter, but it appears chalky, so I suspect storage in humid conditions.

Fungus on shutter curtains can be cleaned with denatured alcohol.