So: who's taken apart their mp?

Well I got an MP from an insurance payoff. It was a NIB one from the first batch with the different ISO dial, so

not at all old and definitely not used, but neat.

 

I noticed that the top plate was loose around the counter dial after a day or so, but it all worked and didn't

leak light.

 

now the top plate is tight and the counter is jammed at 36. It's visibly popping up from where it should sit in

the window. It's been less than 100 rolls through it, and more than 50. I don't know.

 

I've sent leicas off and not seen them for five months and never had it cost less than 300% more than quoted,

which was already a lot.

 

So, screw that. Honestly, I'm a mechanic, I've been a projectionist, I've built SLRs out of junk bodies... don't

tell me to send it off. I'll wait until it's so old it needs everything.

 

Is this a known bad thing, do i need a part, or did they just not build it right in the first place?

 

Just looking here to hopefully glean some practical experience. The damage has been done, it's well on it's way

to becoming a brassed-up beater; but I figured a new one would last 40 years like my m4 seems to have done.

 

Thanks & cheers -src

Sean, I empathize: it's a lousy feeling when something like that occurs. Call Don Goldberg or Sherry Krauter & have them make

your MP dance again. They are honest and competent.

Paul's advice is right on. Get the job done right by someone familiar with the camera. Both Don and Sherry have excellent reputations, as do a few others mentioned on this forum.

Probably the sticky on the back of the counter dial failed. Yeah, pretty cheezy.

 

Thomosy's Leica repair book gives instructions on how to open an M3. You will need to make or buy ring wrenches. You need to grind screwdriver tips to fit screw-heads perfectly. If you're willing to do that, go for it.

Here's some sites that should be helpful. Good luck, haven't tried it myself but the next time my beater M3 acts up, I'm giving it a shot.

Let us know how you make out!

 

http://www.micro-tools.com/store/item_detail.aspx?ItemCode=LF-KIT-C

 

http://pentax-manuals.com/manuals/service/leica%20basic%20repair.pdf

 

http://www.jumboprawn.net/jesse/cams/gear-profiles/leica-m2-overhaul/leica-m2-overhaul.html

I love this- the OP starts off by asking if anyone here has worked on their own MP, and goes on to ask NOT to be told to

just send it off for repair. So what's the first thing that happens? Two people tell him to send it off. Jeez. Does anyone

actually read the posts here anymore, or do you simply look at the headline and decide you know everything about the

subject? Believe it or not, some folks actually can and do work on their own cameras. It would appear this poster is one

of these- he describes his credentials (not that he has to justify what he does with his own cameras to us), even telling

us he has built cameras from junk parts. What's so difficult about giving the advice/information asked for, rather than

what's specifically NOT asked for? On top of that, you suggest sending the camera off to Don Godlberg? Are you

kidding me? For the past year, all I have read about DAG is that he rarely responds to questions- even from folks whose

gear he's been sitting on for months, never mind potential new clients- and he often takes MONTHS to complete repairs.

This has been my personal experience with him, too, BTW. I know he does great work, but he's swamped right now clearly picking

and choosing who gets good service- he's the last person I would recommend right now, especially to someone who A)

complains of having waited absurdly long for camera repairs in the past, and B) says they don't want to send their

camera off in the first place!<p>OK, sorry for the rant. Sean- sorry about your luck with your camera. Leica's QC ain't

what it used to be. But it sounds like you are well qualified to at least open up your camera and see if it's something you

can repair yourself. If you don't yet have the right tools, you'll need some good flexiclamps to do a decent job of it- the

links Colin provides are helpful. Don't let anyone convince you you can't do the job yourself- especially as you are a

reasonably qualified camera technician. There used to be plenty of folks here who could not only read posts, but

actually worked on their cameras themselves, and could give you more advice about what to expect and how to

complete a repair- I hope some one of those folks is still lurking here and might chime in. Either way, I suggest you get the right tools, pull

the top plate off and

take a look. From all you've told us, this sounds like something you should be able to handle

Thanks for the responses. I don't participate much in forums. I understand the value of sending it off to the

right guy, if you have an old Citroen for instance, I'm one of the guys for that and I'm flattered when they call

our shop a "Citroen Salon". Then of course, we have a waiting list and cars often stay for a year resulting in

frustration on both ends. Last time I dropped dollars on a CLA + partial rebuild the camera immediately got

stolen. I'm simply not willing to hand it over.

 

But yeah, I can certainly take it apart and put it back together. The dilemma is parts and downtime. I'll glean

what I can from the links and hopefully be back in business.

 

Cheers -SRC

Sean, good luck with your project. Let us know how it turns out.

send it to Steve in Culver City or Sherry. Have it fixed professionally..

I haven't taken my MP apart because it needs no servicing, but I have taken apart several M3s, M4s, and M5s.

Recently, I put on a hot shoe on my M4 (that was a great project, both challenging and rewarding) after both Don and

Sherry decline the task. The real problems with the pros is their turn around time and price. For simple repairs and

CLAs, I would try them myself. If you screw it up, you can always send it to Leica or DAG for a proper repair. Micro-

Tool.com is a good source as well as Ebay for the wrenches you'll need to take off the top plate. If you have to

replace parts, you can call Leica or Don Goldberg. One other suggestion is to start on a beat-up early M3 (buy them

on Ebay for less than $400). You'd be surprised how little Leica Ms have changed internally over the years. Good

luck and don't be afraid to take you Leica apart. You'll be venturing into the forbiden world of Leica techies...

I agree w/ Tristan Kim. Do it yourself. Although I probably wouldn't. How's that for a back pedal? If you can fix a Citroen you can fix a Leica. Those are the strangest cars on the planet. But like the Citroen, there is no substitute for having the right tools and product knowledge. It sounds simplistic, but you might want to spend a lot of time web surfing and see if you can find some detailed photos/schematic/how to's before you tear into it. Or see if you can find a local camera repair person who might want to tackle it. Cameras are tricky things to fix, but a good mechanic can do it IF the right tools and instructions are avail. Much as I admire the skills of folks like Don and Sherry and the other pros, I can't help but feel their attitudes can be elitist and snooty (like some of their Leica clients I suppose), and I think their prices and turn around times are just nuts. They won't get my money. So I shoot my disposable Bessa R's and use wonderful Russian LTM cameras from Oleg at okvintagecameras (fine craftsmanship and inexpensive repairs). They all take the same great Russian and Leica glass.

Short of RF calibration, I would not work on my M's any more than I would pop open my Rolex. YMMV.