miss_emma_jade Posted January 16, 2011 Share #1 Posted January 16, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hi everyone, ive just joined the forum and had a good search through. I recently purchased a reasonably tidy 11f from 1953. it is a lot cleaner than when i bought it, but the top and bottom plates are a little scuffed, and the lens parts too. I have been looking through photo sites and the forums, and i've seen a lot of very very clean screw mount leicas, and I wondered if maybe there is a trick to getting the plating looking so wonderful and new? surely there must not be that many brand new boxed 111f's around? mine has been loved and looked after, but it would be embarassing to put mine beside some of these. I wonder if anyone can tell me how to make mine look nice and bright again? love the forum so far, and thanks in advance for help.. EMMA Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted January 16, 2011 Posted January 16, 2011 Hi miss_emma_jade, Take a look here nickel plating refurbishing for a newbie. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
greyelm Posted January 16, 2011 Share #2 Posted January 16, 2011 The most important thing is does it work. If you are getting good pictures from it then what it looks like doesn't matter. I would avoid trying to clean the chrome with metal cleaners as this will only make things worse. Don't over clean the lens as many old lenses have soft glass and coatings, if necessary have it serviced by a professional. Most of all use it, as this will keep all the parts moving (a bit like me these days) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
miss_emma_jade Posted January 16, 2011 Author Share #3 Posted January 16, 2011 oh yes, weve bonded already. Ive used film cameras for a while now, but this is the first leica. (oh yes, i have a wish list) were going to get on just fine.. I shoot 3-4 rolls of 35mm a week already, and this just seems right. and it has an f2 lens, than means i can shoot hand held for an hour later in the evenings than most cameras I own. not about to polish the heck out of the case, just was interested, because im thinking there must be touched up cameras pictured on this forum. thanks for the nice reply.. EMMA Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
vickko Posted January 16, 2011 Share #4 Posted January 16, 2011 Hmmm. You could take the parts off (to get them out of the way) and polish the chrome, with some sort of metal polisher. It will make the chrome look different than the original Leitz bright-chrome finish. It might not remove scratches or other wear marks, depending on how deep they are. Try "Rubbing Compound" - from car supply stores. It is made for rubbing paint to a gloss polish. It is fairly gentle, but it is a fine grit polishing compound. Beware, it can rub through paint. And don't get it on glass, or inside the camera. Bad things happen when it gets on optical surfaces or into gears. Vick Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
greyelm Posted January 16, 2011 Share #5 Posted January 16, 2011 The pictures of these older cameras you see on line always make them look better than they are. Try taking a digital picture of yours and see how it looks on the computer. If you just want to get dirt and finger grease off the metal try using a cotton bud moistened with wd40. But keep away from glass and don't saturate the bud. This has worked for me. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
scsambrook Posted January 16, 2011 Share #6 Posted January 16, 2011 If the chrome finish is scuffed or rubbed bright, then there's nothing much you can do to improve it. If it's just dull-looking then in all probability all you have to deal with is the grime of many years use and inattention. I was taught many, many years ago, that a small amount of lighter-fuel on a cotton bud/q-tip rubbed gently over the chrome surface works wonders. Rub and twist as you do so, then discard immediately and use a fresh q-tip. Over, and over and over again . . . you may use a hundred plus !. Thene, take a very soft fine cloth and gently rub the metal suface. The difference can be amazing. But be careful near the inked in markings - e.g. the Leica logo and the serial numbers - or you might lift the filling out of the engravings. Use cocktail sticks to tease the grime out of the edges and corners - before you begin cleaning proper. Again, you'll want a lot of them. Don't be in a hurry, don't splash the liquid around - !!! - and concentrate on the job. It should pay dividends for your IIf. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pico Posted January 16, 2011 Share #7 Posted January 16, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) [...] it would be embarassing to put mine beside some of these. Just how much is it worth to not be embarrassed? Save up and buy a shelf-queen. But really, you have a camera that is very, very old by today's standards of short-lived technology. It still works! It's marvelous. Worry not about its appearance. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
miss_emma_jade Posted January 16, 2011 Author Share #8 Posted January 16, 2011 Thanks guys! I have about 25 cameras, and a lot of them are fairly tatty, and some look brand new. it hasnt been a hassle, up to now, then I looked through the forum, and realised i'd like this one to be just a little bit nicer..but yes, you get what you pay for, so ill keep saving and saving EMMA Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andybarton Posted January 16, 2011 Share #9 Posted January 16, 2011 No need to be embarrassed by owning a Leica that's been used and loved for 60 years. Some of the most valuable Leicas look like they've been completely abused. However, many many old Leicas were used and cared for by amateurs and if you are lucky and in the right place and time, remarkably good condition II and IIIs can be bought for relatively little money these days. And, welcome to the forum Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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