batmax Posted July 7, 2009 Share #1 Posted July 7, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) After the leica meeting in hessenpark i was out to make some street photos in frankfurt. After having take some photos the shutter of my m7 was blocked. I try to fire the shutter but the knob was like i have already take a picture . In the meantime I can not arm the shutter with the lever because was blocked. So I try to switch on and of the camera but the problem still there. I remove the battery and change with new ones.. but again still the problem.. At the end I remove the film rewind it . After having done all of this "magically" the shutter start to work again... So, very strange ....Now is working with no problem... Do you think is a good idea to service the camera??? There someone that had a similar problem like me ?? Ciao !! 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted July 7, 2009 Posted July 7, 2009 Hi batmax, Take a look here leica m7 shutter problem. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
rob_x2004 Posted July 8, 2009 Share #2 Posted July 8, 2009 Sometimes its operator error. You can get a bottom corner tear in the film leader cut and it will bung things up. If you have a film that is not taught it can crinkle at the film gate for the problems you describe. When you load a new film are you rewinding to tension the film? There are probably other causes, but if it has only ever happened once I owuld be making sure my loading was good, and seeing if the problem repeats, before worrying too much. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest maddoc2003jp Posted July 8, 2009 Share #3 Posted July 8, 2009 I sometimes have the same problem, switching the camera on and off a couple of times always helped. My speculation is that playing with the advance lever (I have this bad habit) and carrying the camera vertical sometimes blocks the shutter-lock mechanism. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
christer Posted July 8, 2009 Share #4 Posted July 8, 2009 The problem is well known, and sooner or later, generally quite soon, no tricks will help to release the shutter or wind the film. I have had it on both my M7s when they were new, which was five years ago. CS fixed it under guarantee. There is a similar thread just now in the German section Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
guywalder Posted July 8, 2009 Share #5 Posted July 8, 2009 The problem is well known, and sooner or later, generally quite soon, any basis for this statement? DX coding and blinking LEDs might be described as 'well known' as you regularly see them come up in threads. But in the 39 pages of 'film' threads I have never seen this before. In the German thread the 3 or 4 people reporting problems dont even appear to be describing the same symptoms... Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
alun Posted July 8, 2009 Share #6 Posted July 8, 2009 I have experienced just about *all* of the problems associated with the DX reader and faulty exposure/DX readings, also further complicated by a malfunctioning circuit board at one point, but have never had a problem as desribed with shutter lock. Nor have I ever read that this is a widely acknowledged problem. My guess is operator error and that the film was 'locked' -- either because of a tear or becuase it was mis-seated on loading and eventually caught between the guide rails and the pressure plate. Making sure that the cassette seats right down in the film chamber prevents this happening. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted July 8, 2009 Share #7 Posted July 8, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) I did read somewhere on this forum that you can jam the shutter by 'winding on' whilst the shutter is already open, for example if you trip the shutter with the lens cap is on and its in A mode, the shutter will remain open for a while, and you might not realise. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rob_x2004 Posted July 8, 2009 Share #8 Posted July 8, 2009 I cant do that with an MP James, but I used to be able to replicate the OPs problem with an MP untill I twigged it was worth properly tensioning (especially thin and crinkly) films. I bite tear enough leaders without any trouble at all as long as I am careful, but I did get a tear once. WRT seating the film can, I reckon that is Leicas problem. If the film can slips in and the base plate goes on then the film can is at the right height. The wind on side height is set by the tulip, you shouldnt have to frig around or go poking in the back. Leica do screw this up with with their service but thats another problem, and only leads to a negative written over the sprocket holes, or the image being slightly diagonal on the neg or both, but shouldnt be jaming. But like I said mine is with the MP not he M7, there could be something in the electronics but you would reckon a light would be blinking somewhere in the display. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andybarton Posted July 8, 2009 Share #9 Posted July 8, 2009 The reading in the M7 display counts down from 32 if you inadvertently open the shutter while the lens cap is on, while in Auto mode. Clicking the speed dial to 1000 closes the shutter. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
budrichard Posted July 8, 2009 Share #10 Posted July 8, 2009 If the problem does not now exist, sending the camera in for repairs is useless. Wait until the problem either locks the shutter completely or happens regularly for a tech to find.-Dick Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
HHHH Posted September 8, 2010 Share #11 Posted September 8, 2010 I should read this thread before. Now it's happening to my M7 - just right after changing new film. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
budrichard Posted September 8, 2010 Share #12 Posted September 8, 2010 As an update, both my M7's were returned to Solm's for optical reader and viewfinder upgrades this spring. Soon after they were returned the shutter locked on one of them. No amount of 'fiddling' with Dave's assistance from Leica NJ would unlock the M7. Dave sent UPS tp pick up the camera and expedited return within a few days. The tech could not duplicate the problem and called to inform me of the results. So far it has not recurred but it does happen on M7's.-Dick Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
aesop Posted September 8, 2010 Share #13 Posted September 8, 2010 The reading in the M7 display counts down from 32 if you inadvertently open the shutter while the lens cap is on, while in Auto mode. Clicking the speed dial to 1000 closes the shutter. ...Andy, what happens if you attempt to wind on during the countdown? . Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lincoln_m Posted September 8, 2010 Share #14 Posted September 8, 2010 When I first got my MP I seem to remember getting a shutter jam. But after rewinding the film the next film was OK. No problems since "touch wood" 6 years. Now when I've finished a film I always cock and fire the shutter a few times so as to get the wind-on back in sync after the final half frame which is never fully wound on but leaves the wind-on mechanism in mid frame position. I don't use the rewind to tension the film as some have reported. Hopefully if the more you use it the better it will work. Use it more and fire off blank shots when there is no film in to help it get back in sync. I'd only send it back if it keeps happening and your film comes out uniform neat and untroubled, i.e it is purely Leica mechanical problem and not user error in loading the film correctly. Lincoln Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MessiJo Posted September 9, 2010 Share #15 Posted September 9, 2010 After the leica meeting in hessenpark i was out to make some street photos in frankfurt. After having take some photos the shutter of my m7 was blocked. I try to fire the shutter but the knob was like i have already take a picture . In the meantime I can not arm the shutter with the lever because was blocked. So I try to switch on and of the camera but the problem still there. I remove the battery and change with new ones.. but again still the problem.. At the end I remove the film rewind it . After having done all of this "magically" the shutter start to work again... So, very strange ....Now is working with no problem... Do you think is a good idea to service the camera??? There someone that had a similar problem like me ?? Ciao !! Hi I have got a similar problem with my Leica M7 as well. Today when I pressed down the shutter after a shot, then sat the quick-wind level to stand-by position for next shutter but the problem happened. after that I cannot press down the shutter again. And I checked inside the camera. I have attached a picture to show the inside view of my M7. Someone can help me solve this problem? Thanks a lot. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Quote Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/90119-leica-m7-shutter-problem/?do=findComment&comment=1433366'>More sharing options...
wizard Posted September 9, 2010 Share #16 Posted September 9, 2010 (edited) Hmm, your shutter is stuck midway (which should not happen). Can you move the wind lever? If so, try to fullyx cock the shutter first. If that doesn't work, try to remove the batteries for some minutes. Also, set the shutter dial to one of the manual times, that is to 1/60 or 1/125 and try to press the shutter release. If all that does not work, it has to go to a repairman. Andy Edited September 9, 2010 by wizard Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MessiJo Posted September 9, 2010 Share #17 Posted September 9, 2010 Hmm, your shutter is stuck midway (which should not happen). Can you move the wind lever? If so, try to fullyx cock the shutter first. If that doesn't work, try to remove the batteries for some minutes. Also, set the shutter dial to one of the manual times, that is to 1/60 or 1/125 and try to press the shutter release. If all that does not work, it has to go to a repairman. Andy It seems that It also does not work. Where can I find a good repair place in UK or must go to the Leica service? Thanks. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MessiJo Posted September 9, 2010 Share #18 Posted September 9, 2010 Hi everyone Is it safe or fine to chose local repair shop and get a repair for my Leica M7? any idea from you? Thanks a lot. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lincoln_m Posted September 9, 2010 Share #19 Posted September 9, 2010 Do you have a film in? If so perhaps try and rewind the film. The film might be in tension and have stopped the wind on from completing it's full cycle. If you are mid film take a note of the film number so you can reload the film and take the same number of dark shots of your lens cap + a few more to get past the spot where you finished. If you don't have a film in I've heard of some brave guys who have giggled the shutter manually to loosen them. A small plastic spoon "might" not do too much damage, "might not". As there is no shutter gap I'd guess that the shutter curtains have not been pulled all the way across yet. The fact that you didnot show us a shot through the back suggests you do have a film in so hopefully rewinding it might allow you more freedom to fiddle about using the mechanical speeds. Good luck. If you do free it up fire off 20 -30 shots without a film in to loosen it up again. Lincoln 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gconverse Posted October 30, 2015 Share #20 Posted October 30, 2015 Here it is 2015, and my shutter freezes. Please tell me I don't have to send it to NJ here in the U.S. I was going to be shooting for class work for my MFA program, and the darn shutter froze. Any better suggestions? I Leica you, Glen Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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