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How often should a film M be serviced?


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I vaguely remember seeing a thread on this matter sometime ago but sadly I cannot find it any more.

 

As the title has suggested, how often (years/rolls) should I have it serviced?

 

My m4-2 (bought in 07) was last serviced in March 2012 and 150+ rolls of film have been used since then.

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I second that.

I bought my M4-P brand new in 1988 and sent it to Solms in 2008 for a complete overhaul and the viewfinder upgrade.

The camera has performed well even before the CLA and, as of today, it is still working flawlessly among the tools I earn my living with...

Edited by maurometallo
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When needed. ;)

 

My M3 was serviced three years ago but before that my uncle, who was the original owner had it sent back to Leica in 1973.

My current M4-P and M6TTL are functioning fine but I don't know when either was last serviced so we'll see how that goes. (both purchased less than 5 years ago)

 

For me signal to get my Ms serviced is when the shutter speeds go off.

I've never had a sticking shutter or mechanical issues so either the reliability issues often reported online are exaggerated or I've been extremely lucky.

 

As a side note... Back in the day the "Cruise Ship Ms" took a sever beating for about three years and then were retired because they were worn out beyond economical repair.

I would guess many thousands of rolls of film were put through those cameras during that time.

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Ah okay I thought M cameras are like cars, which require an oil change every 6k miles and an ATF change every 20k miles e.t.c. :-/, clearly I was wrong.

 

Last year I sent an M2 to Malcolm Taylor for a full CLA because the shutter was sticking. After he'd done the work he said something like 'all being well that's ready for another 25 years', and I think that is what he aims for. Yes things can go out of adjustment through unforeseen elements like knocks, or dirt, or a hot or cold environment, but I can't see why Leica's own service life target wouldn't be similar. But just like cars, using it is better at keeping it healthy than parking it up in a garage.

 

Steve

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Ah okay I thought M cameras are like cars, which require an oil change every 6k miles and an ATF change every 20k miles e.t.c. :-/, clearly I was wrong.

 

No regular oil changes required, just 'drive' it unless you think that something is wrong. Keep it fueled with film and do remember to pump the tyres up every so often though.

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Peter from Adelaide is right, where most users are concerned. Organisations like newspapers, which have several cameras that are used by several photographers, often practise what was called preventive maintenance: equipment would be serviced at pre-set intervals even if it was behaving perfectly. Rather like a fleet of cars for hire.

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To answer your question succinctly, when it breaks, mechanical or digital.

Decades ago when newspapers used film cameras, the film transport(motor) was the most heavily used part of the system and even then, photgs just used them until they broke, having more than one in their possession.

I'd say 99% of the amateurs who purchase a new film M will never exceed the number of cycles required on any part of the systems to cause a failure.

I have two M7's purchased new by me, until they break, neither will have any PM done. Today, newspapers, if they have any photgs still employed, use digital cameras and the shutters are good for 100's of thousands of cycles. I don't believe anyone does PM on Pro digital cameras and the cost being so high, for the camera, I see many with only one camera, the cameras are so reliable.

-Dick

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Cyril, you could wait until something goes wrong. Usually, misbehaving slow shutter speeds are the first sign that a Leica needs attention. If, on the other hand, you use the camera for work in which a failure would be damaging -- specially if you carry no back-up camera -- then maintenance might be a good idea.

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  • 3 weeks later...

If a CLA has been done by an expert fairly recently, such as D.A.G., Sherry Krauter, etc., AND the camera is not abused, subjected to extreme temperatures, high humidity, etc., AND you "exercise" the shutter regularly by normal use, or cock and release the shutter at various speeds, including the SLOW speeds each 2-3 months, then it should be OK for about 20 years or so.

 

Also, check your lenses regularly for dust, hairs, fungus, mold, etc., especially the internal elements. Don't mess up the front element, since even the slightest cleaning can wipe off the rather soft coating. Use the 2-way flashlight method + magnifying glass to check internal elements. Once the front element is clean, keep it that way by attaching a UV filter to it, and almost never take it off again. Use the best filter, such as a B+W, Leica, Heliopan, etc. The best ones cost about $35, and worth every penny.

 

John Van Stelten at Focal Point is an expert lens person.

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  • 4 weeks later...

Film M cameras should be serviced -

 

1 - When something goes wrong with them;

2 - If they are dropped (rangefinder gets knocked out of alignment);

3 - If they have been submerged, flooded or drenched in water;

4 - If they have been exposed to an extremely dirty, dusty, sandy or gritty environment for a significant amount of time (not just a few hours, but a few days or weeks);

5 - For most Leica users, an overhaul (CLA) once every ten years is sufficient (from Sherry Krauter);

6 - If you put 500 rolls per year through your M camera, get an overhaul every five years*

7 - If you put 1000 rolls per year through your M camera, get an overhaul every three years*

 

 

 

 

*Just my personal opinion-guesstimate

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