First Leica IIIa - DIY Lubrication?

<p>Hello,</p>

<p>I won a Leica IIIa on eBay that is in functional condition. I am wondering if there is any preventative maintenance such as lubrication that I should do before I use this camera?</p>

<p>Thanks.</p>

<p> </p>

<p>It takes a serious tear-down to do a proper lubrication. It's not just a matter of adding oil, it's a matter of removing the old oil that has turned to gunk and had embedded abrasive dirt.<br>

If it sounds smooth, and the shutter speeds are accurate, it's probably OK. If it sounds at all wheezy, grindy, or metallic, it needs a clean/lube/adjust. If the shutter speeds are inaccurate, or the exposure uneven across the frame at 1/1000, it needs a clean/lube/adjust. If you get bright spots from pinholes in the shutter curtains, it needs new shutter curtains and a clean/lube/adjust.</p>

 

<p>Hello JD, On a nice camera, like a Leica, I usually send it in for a CLA. Usually the cost is about $125. If it's a camera that I think I'm going to keep. They come back in top shape. Speeds are accurate, and they clean everything they can get a hold of. Plus, I know I've done my part to keep the old timers running the way they're supposed to.</p>

<p>There is a lot of different thinking about CLA's, but I always figure in the cost of a CLA when I buy older equipment. You can't imagine the difference in operation between an old, gunky IIIa and a freshly CLA'ed camera until you've tried one. Folks buy these old camera and get a bad impression of them simply because they need some routine service. Don't try it yourself. Send it to a pro!</p>

<p>Thank You.</p>

<p>Sherry K once told me that my M4 requires a dozen different types of lubricant! So I suspect that "3 in 1 Oil" , "WD-40" or a generic camera lubricating oil are all bad choices for a LTM.</p>

<p>John Shriver said it all...</p>

<p>I've noticed a pretty healthy increase in prices with these old Leicas. The trend has turned to a <strong>s</strong><strong>trong up line</strong> on them. I think with the coming troubles for the US currency, it should continue to do that. </p>

<p>I recommend Youxin Ye, Canton,MA: reasonable, prompt, skilled and congenial. Call him evenings, EDT USA</p>

You definitely should get it serviced by a professional. There are a few in North America with excellent reputations but my choice would be Gerry Smith at Kindermann Canada in Markham, Ontario. He has serviced Leicas for some 40 years. I just sent him my Leicaflex SL for a CLA.