Help needed adjusting Leica IIIG slow shutter speeds.

[julio_m]

From 1 sec to 1/15. Interested in hearing from folks with DIRECT experience with the IIIG, since it was

slightly different from the earlier versions.

 

On a related topic: Still looking for the right soft release (NOT cable release) for same IIIG. Neither the

Nikon AR-1 or the "brand X" eBay versions work properly.

 

Again, please address your comments ONLY to the IIIG. Thank you all.

[vinay_patel]

"please address your comments ONLY to the IIIG"

 

OK....

 

Dear IIIg,

Unless you are a beater, please take the first opportunity to run as fast as you can away from this person who intends on performing major surgery on you at the kitchen table with generic tools and instructions dowloaded from a public chatroom.

[christopher_a._junker1]

Production of the IIIg stopped over 40 years ago. Lubricants and adjustments dry and change over the years. When it became obvious on mine that the slow speeds were no longer accurate, reality set in and it was time to have the body CLA'd as it was likely that more than slow speeds needed attention. Unless your IIIg is a beaten up, dented, dropped down the stairs basket case good only for spare parts, send it out for a professional CLA. If you can't afford a CLA, put it on the shelf until you can afford the CLA or sell it.

[bob haight]

You need to oil and adjust the shutter mechanism which is work for an expert. DAG is highly recommended here.

[michaelging]

I was told many years ago that only 2 kinds of people work on expensive cameras, Fools and Camera Repairman.I agree with the others, eather shoot faster film or have someone work on it who knows what they are doing. Good luck.

[Karim Ghantous]

All I can offer is words of encouragement, so good luck! One piece of advice: be patient. You'll get there in the end. You might want to make or buy an electronic shutter speed tester, though (unless you have one already).

[Andrew in Austin]

My words of encouragement are to send the camera to DAG. If you propose shoot with the camera, then the $250 spent on a CLA will give you a decade or more of good service. The IIIg is relatively rare and deserves a little respect by its current owner. Have DAG do the necessary repair.

[ronald_moravec1]

The underlying problem is old lubricants and that is the problem that needs to be addressed. This need to be done first, then check the shutter speeds.

 

In the future run the slow speeds with or without film monthly.

[harry_zet]

in short: if you have to ask how to do it, you cant do it. send it to a qualified repairman

[tom_abrahamsson]

Julio,

You can try to shoot "empty" at all the slow speeds to tune up the speeds. However, if the lubricants are severely dried out this will not do much and you can put undue stress on the timing gear. Adjusting and lubricating the speeds is not a huge job as long as the shutter curtains are OK. Once you have had the camera serviced and speeds set correctly it should be good for another 10-15 years as long as it is being used. There is nothing worse than the "mint" camera that approaches 50 years in age - screeching sound from shutter drum springs, 2nd curtain slowly dragging itself along the track and speeds erratic. My rule is that any new "old" camera is given a clean, lube and adjust before it is put into service. It is well spent money as you a/ get an idea from the technician about the condition and b/ you know that it will behave as it should.

There has been times that all it takes is a slight tweak of the tension of the springs, but on a screw-mount camera that requires that you take off the base-cover to access the two tensioning screws and also access to a shutter speed tester to ensure that ALL the speeds are correct. If you are not sure how to do it - dont try as you can have the curtains rip or pull away from the drum - and that is an expensive fix.

 

Best,

 

Tom A

 

Tom Abrahamsson

 

rapidwinder.com

[julio_m]

Thank you all - specially to Tom Abrahamsson: not only a great designer, but a gentleman

too.