What should I do?

[mllanos1111]

Just purchased what looked to be a pristine Leicaflex SL in black with original box.
The camera looks absolutely mint and doesn't show any wear.
I opened up the battery chamber and the contacts are green with corrosion.
Should I send it back? Call DAG and ask how much to fix it and charge the original guy for the repair or....

 

[kshapero]

You could clean it yourself and then decide. I might just clean up nice and that could be the end of it.

 

[mllanos1111]

Whats the best way to do that?

 

[cosmonaut]

Whats the best way to do that?

I would buy some contact cleaner from Radio Shack. Plus a pencil eraser. For starts. If it's really bad some Emory cloth.

 

[Scrambler]

Just purchased what looked to be a pristine Leicaflex SL in black with original box.
The camera looks absolutely mint and doesn't show any wear.
I opened up the battery chamber and the contacts are green with corrosion.
Should I send it back? Call DAG and ask how much to fix it and charge the original guy for the repair or....

Sadly the beautiful exterior and battery corrosion are probably both due to sitting all its life in a cupboard. I would try the vinegar on q-tip trick first as has been suggested.

 

[KoNickon]

Yes, the vinegar first, then contact cleaner.

 

[mllanos1111]

Thank You all I'm going to try those suggestions. As long as it comes clean and the meter works then I'm good.

 

[Landshark]

There is a chance that corrosion has traveled along the wire. Sometimes yes. sometimes no.

 

[helen.HH]

Just my 2 cents ... I would send it back
Why waste your time and lack of experience to try and make it right. 😱

The market has lots of Leica SL's
Look at : Tamarkin Camera, Dale Camera, or Igors Camera
Great sellers who stand behind there Used merchandise
Tamarkin has warranties up to 6 months, somtimes these sellers have them CLA'd...

I know Don works on the Leica R line but he's not fond of it...too many problems, re: parts, time consuming labour taking those bodies apart etc

Best of Luck !

 

[ray*j*gun]

The problem with cleaning is that IF (I say if) the chrome has been eaten away, the contacts will corrode again and will need constant attention to be reliable. I had this happen on an old Konica SLR that was given to me and it/is a constant battle.

 

[mllanos1111]

I was thinking the same thing about plating on the contact.
I will look at it tonight when I get home and decide then.
I'm leaning towards sending it back because I really just wanted one flawless body that I did not have to mess with.
I'm not sure how far it's traveled up the wire.

The problem with cleaning is that IF (I say if) the chrome has been eaten away, the contacts will corrode again and will need constant attention to be reliable. I had this happen on an old Konica SLR that was given to me and it/is a constant battle.