Should I be concerned about missing paint INSIDE Leica IIIc base plate?

Hello all!

 

Just took delivery of my very first Leica screw mount ever, a IIIc. It's been serviced within the past year, and everything seems to be in working order.

 

However, I wanted to ask the group if the worn off paint on the base plate might be an issue. Any chance that this could reflect light and lead to something like light leaks?

 

Thanks in advance,

 

Mark

I have a IIIc with paint missing on the base plate interior. I have not had any light leak or other problems as the missing paint is not an issue so long as the remaining paint is well adhered and not flaking off and the base plate is a good tight fit with no gaps around the camera body when locked on.

... Any chance that this could reflect light and lead to something like light leaks? ...

I doubt you have anything to worry about (I've seen worse with no issues whatsoever). But, simply for aesthetic reasons, I'd probably mask it off and respray it with black matte paint.

 

I'm anal that way!

Actually, Matte Black paint sticks work very well, quick, neat and no chance of over-spray - test a small area first old paints can be reactive.

Thanks for the comments and suggestions, everyone! I won't be too concerned, but I think I'll try the paint sticks.

 

Time to trim the leader, load it up, and start shooting!

If you can find one, the aluminum Leica leader template is handy - various MFRs made them so finding & paying for Leica is a choice!

IMHO skip the leader template and just trim with a scissors. Or if you insist on a template...check the web and print one out...transfer it to stiff paper or cardboard, and use it to draw the shape on the leader with a pencil, then cut it with a scissors. Back to your paint quetion...yes, I'd cover those shiny surfaces with a flat black paint to prevent any internal reflections which might occur.

Per Sandy and SCL regarding the template, I printed the template, then transferred it to 1/16th basswood.

I just count sprocket holes and use scissors. See:

 

Leica IF, IIF, IIIFinstruction manual, user manual, free PDF camera manuals

 

In the diagram on p29, trimming leaves 23 holes unpaired, which is what I aim for. And I usually carry one of these, so I have scissors anyway:

 

Micra Multi-Tool | Leatherman

Certainly isn't a problem to cut free hand, but with a Leica, it just seems proper to do it "just right". I won't start on Leica film cartridges! :D

The only thing I'd be cautious of, is that if the paint is peeling, it can "spot" your film if paint flakes fall into the camera... If it's not flaking, no problem.