R4 Repair

[Jam-eth]

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Hello all, first post

 

I have threw an awesome stroke of luck come into possesion of two Leica R4's, and one 2/50.

 

However, the first one went to Germany and they wanted massive sums to effectively re-build it from the ground up, it is a post 160,000 . . model, and from what i can gleem from the reports the exposer meter is broken, a catch somewhere is caught and its all a bit messed up,

 

My other R4 (the one im using while i wait for the other to be sent back) is a pre 160,00 . . and is displaying the characteristic unreliable-ness, the shutter may or may not fire depending what phase the moon is currently in, at least i think that's the deciding factor . . .

 

My question to you wonderful people: i believe the reliability was sorted out with an electronics upgrade, could a young man with a dab hand at soldering take the electronics out of the mechanically malfunctioning newer camera, and place them into the older mechanically working camera, and get the best of both worlds, and if so, are there some DIY's on how to go about doing it?

 

I am an amateur electronics engineer, and i sensor clean for a living. i'm sure i can take the thing apart, and re-assemble it in a working condition, i have fixed old Zenits and FSU range finders for friends in the past.

 

any help and advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

James

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The Leica Q3 is available for pre-order at B&H Photo Video and Adorama

[earleygallery]

A working R4 can be bought from a dealer for £100-200, so do that, and sell the others on eBay for spares.

 

My local Leica dealer has an R4 for £140 if you're interested PM me for their details.