Cure for shutter leak

So I now suspect that my M6ttl has a shutter leak, thanks to insight

from someone during a recent 50mm 'cron flare thread. Not able to

find suggested remedies in the archives. It does seem to happen when

I change lenses mid-roll. Is this an acceptable nuisance or should

it/can it be easily rectified?

 

Fortunately the camera is still under its Passport warranty and I

live within a 15 minute drive of Leica's NJ facility, but I don't

want to give up the camera for any length of time if its not

necessary. I go to a camera store that is very knowledgeable about

Leica gear and was wondering if I might want to try them first. Is

that realistic or should I just take my medicine and give it to the

folks in Northvale? Thanks in advance...

Even a perfect Leica M shutter can be made to leak light if you expose the open throat to bright light (such as direct sun)while changing lenses. Unlike an SLR there isn't a mirror to reflect the incident light. The type of light leak you illustrated (vertical at the frame edge) is indicative of leaking through the overlap of the two curtains, as opposed to leaks along the top or bottom edges of the curtains which sometimes happens if the felt traps are bad. You can try a test roll where you change lenses in the shade of your body and see if it still leaks. It's always a good idea to change lenses as quickly as possible also, if for no other reason than to limit the time the camera innards and lens' rear element are exposed to the elements, such as dust and grit in the air.

 

That said, even if you find the problem solved by shading the camera while lens changing, if it's nearing the end of Passport, I'd take it in anyway. Leica generally does not address a specific problem without doing a complete overhaul/CLA concurrently, and that's a $300 freebie.

John -- why not ask Leica service if they can fix it while you wait. Also, you may be near Sherry Krauter, she is in Campbell Hall, NY. Also, as far as your Leica camera store, just be aware that people who repair Leicas are NOT created equal.

If it is under warranty do not have it repaired by an independant as this will invalidate

your warranty!

I wouldn't suggest this except as an absolute last resort and certainly not to someone who has a guarantee to fall back on but...

 

Many, many years ago there was a suggestion in one of the UK magazines, I think it may have been 'Miniature Camera' that light leaks through the blinds themselves and at the join between blind and carrier, could be treated with rubber solution from a bicycle puncture repair kit mixed with black paint and thinned with petrol.

 

I have to say, it sounds horrendous to me and I STRONGLY recommend you don't do it unless you have no other choice. It might be the sort of trick you'd try out first on a very cheap Russian camera. But 'Miniature Camera' was generally quite highly regarded in its day so there MIGHT be some sense in it. Just don't blame me if you try it and it goes horribly wrong. :-)

Call leica in New Jersey and talk to the service department. Make an appointment, be there ON TIME, and they will fix it while you wait. When you explain the problem over the phone, they will certainly tell you how long it will take.

As allways thanks for the solid responses.