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Need Advices on M2 Loose Speed Dial Problem


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Dear fellow leica users, please help me on this one.

 

I bought a M2 (late model) for a fairly good price and everything is working fine except for one issue with the speed dial.

 

When being turned, it feels a bit loose and does not "click" into place. It does not hold tight in each position. It wobbles a little bit on the body. If I put the shutter speed at 1/125s and take a photo, the shutter dial will jump to 1/45s after the shot. It happens either after one shot or two shots.

 

All shutter speeds seem to be working properly. The seller said he always used a Leica meter and therefore was not aware of the problem.

 

Have you experienced similar problems? Does it indicate a serious defect that will leads to some serious repair, or is it a minor problem?

 

The seller has offered me a return but since I got a very good price I am hesitating. If this is not a serious issue then I can get a Leica Meter and live with it.

 

Please advise. Any information is more than appreciated.

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The shutter dial sets the shutter speeds, so if it's not working correctly then I'd guess that your shutter isn't working correctly either.

 

A CLA to fix it will cost you somewhere between £200 - £500 depending on what needs doing (which will include servicing the whole camera, not just the shutter).

 

I guess you need to decide if the purchase price and potential repair cost is worth it compared to what you could buy a perfect example for.

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Thank you so much.

 

The shutter speeds seem to be accurate (based on previous owner's test). However the dial is quite loose and "jumps" from 1/125s to 1/45s during a shot. If the dial is fixed by force (e.g., by a Leica meter), then there should be no problem.

 

My understanding, based on your suggestion, is that it needs to be CLAed anyway, in order to achieve perfect working condition. If it's £200 or even €200, then I would much prefer returning it.

 

The shutter dial sets the shutter speeds, so if it's not working correctly then I'd guess that your shutter isn't working correctly either.

 

A CLA to fix it will cost you somewhere between £200 - £500 depending on what needs doing (which will include servicing the whole camera, not just the shutter).

 

I guess you need to decide if the purchase price and potential repair cost is worth it compared to what you could buy a perfect example for.

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I know I'm risking stating the obvious, but have you tried tightening the screw that holds the shutter dial on? Or more importantly is it the correct screw? I can't think of what internally could cause the shutter to jump speeds so exactly, but if you feel a Leicameter would clamp the shutter dial down and make it work properly it sounds like a simple locating problem rather than a shutter service problem. The screw is actually quite short and you'd normally lose it if it was loose enough to cause the shutter dial to wobble, and the dial would fall off as well. If an incorrect and longer screw has been used in an old repair it may be bottoming out and not able to hold the shutter dial secure, but it doesn't really explain why it jumps specifically to 1/45th second each time.

 

Steve

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Thanks for the suggestion Steve. I've taken off the screw and cleaned the interior of the shutter dial and put it back in. It does not seem to be the cause of the problem.

 

Instead, I think it's the part underneath the shutter dial (not sure what it is called - the "speed plate"?) that's loose. It is necessary to open the entire top plate to get to that part.

 

I know I'm risking stating the obvious, but have you tried tightening the screw that holds the shutter dial on? Or more importantly is it the correct screw? I can't think of what internally could cause the shutter to jump speeds so exactly, but if you feel a Leicameter would clamp the shutter dial down and make it work properly it sounds like a simple locating problem rather than a shutter service problem. The screw is actually quite short and you'd normally lose it if it was loose enough to cause the shutter dial to wobble, and the dial would fall off as well. If an incorrect and longer screw has been used in an old repair it may be bottoming out and not able to hold the shutter dial secure, but it doesn't really explain why it jumps specifically to 1/45th second each time.

 

Steve

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Dear fellow leica users, please help me on this one.

 

I bought a M2 (late model) for a fairly good price and everything is working fine except for one issue with the speed dial.

 

When being turned, it feels a bit loose and does not "click" into place. It does not hold tight in each position. It wobbles a little bit on the body. If I put the shutter speed at 1/125s and take a photo, the shutter dial will jump to 1/45s after the shot. It happens either after one shot or two shots.

 

All shutter speeds seem to be working properly. The seller said he always used a Leica meter and therefore was not aware of the problem.

 

Have you experienced similar problems? Does it indicate a serious defect that will leads to some serious repair, or is it a minor problem?

 

The seller has offered me a return but since I got a very good price I am hesitating. If this is not a serious issue then I can get a Leica Meter and live with it.

 

Please advise. Any information is more than appreciated.

 

likely, its an easy fix.. try to tighten mentioned part (don't have to remove top plate, just remove the dial and its screw first)..

 

Untitled_1.jpg

 

hope it'll do the fix..

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After you remove the speed dial you will see a brass "ring" which is hold with the chrom plated screw. Very probable that this screw must be tighten. Otherwise the round spring which is below the brass ring is broken. Not a complicated repair if you have a spare part.

Jerzy

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I have an M3 with exactly the same problem. A weak tensioning spring, posited above, could be the problem. Although I just had a CLA done last year by Mr. Ye, and he's very thorough.

 

So.... I, too, am very interested in what board members have to say and any possible solution.

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  • 2 months later...

After you remove the speed dial you will see a brass "ring" which is hold with the chrom plated screw. Very probable that this screw must be tighten. Otherwise the round spring which is below the brass ring is broken. Not a complicated repair if you have a spare part.

Jerzy

 

Thank you, Jerzy. This does the trick.

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Wow, I just received my M3 yesterday and was having the exact same problem. I emailed Youxin Ye who is a very reputable Leica repair guy and here is his response...

I did exactly what he said and my shutter is perfect now....:)

 

"On 6/2/2015 2:16 PM, Youxin Ye wrote:

Peter,
In most cases this should be an easy fix.  The shutter dial must very loose.  You need unscrew the screw on the shutter dial, take the shutter dial off, then you will see a chromed nut over the center of the brass shutter dial holder.  The chromed nut has two slots at the side, you need a spanner wrench, tighten the chromed nut, then put on the shutter dial, tighten the screw, the dial should work well.
Regards,
Youxin Ye 16 Fairview Road Canton, MA 02021 U. S. A. 781-830-9141
 "
 
 

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