Film advance problem with M7. Ideas?

[roadracer]

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Hey everyone,

I've previously shot ~20 rolls of film through my (acquired used) m7 without issue. I normally fold over the leader (which I know is controversial).

 

However, one roll into my most recent vacation the camera became unable to feed an entire roll. I attempted to run 6 rolls of film through the camera while on vacation and after 5 to 30 frames, the advance would jam and the teeth in the sprockets would start skipping. At that point, I would have to just rewind the film and try again with another roll. I ended up getting something like 55 usable frames out of 6 rolls.

 

I tried every loading technique in the book and was extremely careful and meticulous and I'm confident this is not user error.

 

Does anyone have ideas or recommendations for where I might get the camera repaired? If I'm sending it out to get repaired, I will probably also have the viewfinder LED repaired/replaced as well, as one of the segments has gone out ("400" looks like "-| 00")

 

Pretty disappointing, especially given how reliable my yashica t4 super has been over the years.

Edited August 12, 2011 by roadracer

[earleygallery]

Helps if you say where you are located, but you'll probably find the answer here http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/customer-forum/176369-repair-specialists.html

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[roadracer]

Sorry!

 

I'm in SF for the next few weeks and then I will be returning to Boston.

[andybarton]

If you need the electronics repairing, send it to Leica NJ

[budrichard]

"Pretty disappointing, especially given how reliable my yashica t4 super has been over the years."

 

First, the Owners Manual is very specific on how to load the leader of the film into the takeup spool. Since you didn't follow the instructions, how do you know that you didn't damage the mechanism by folding over the leader?

Leica M's wind film different than most cameras as the film is wound with a reverse curl.

 

You purchased a used M7, did you know when purchasing that an LED segment was non-functional? That should have been some indication of the condition of the camera.

Have you communicated with the seller about the problems. Usually, these sort of problems are known by the seller and not disclosed to the buyer. If your film loading did not cause the problem then maybe you purchased a camera that had a fault and who knows how that fault occurred.

Leica NJ is the place for service, but the camera will probably go to Solm's and you will be without the camera for a while. It would behoove you to get any additional work done at that time such as optical reader modification if not already on your M7 and possible viewfinder upgrade. In any event, a full CLA should be done in conjunction with the repairs.

For your interest, I have never heard of anyone having the type of problem you describe with an M7.-Dick

[stunsworth]

There is a known issue with the M6 where corrosion of washers in the rewind mechanism causes the camera to lock part way through a film. Perhaps it's that that's happened to your M7? It's a simple fix, and if you feel confident enough it's something you can repair yourself. A short explanation here...

 

rewind mechanism transport problem

[roadracer]

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Hey guys,

Thanks for the info. I don't feel very comfortable taking the camera apart myself, so I will probably send it directly to Leica.

 

The LED segment was not broken as far as I know when I purchased the camera and it certainly wasn't disclosed. I did buy the camera from a store, so perhaps I will take it to them before sending it to Leica.

 

I have read the manual as well as the various online recommendations for loading the camera. I also understand that that the spool winds counter clockwise. I've successfully loaded many a roll of film and this change was not gradual but quite abrupt. It's entirely possible my crimping is the cause, but thats not something I've read about before. Most objections to crimping center on the shutter and shutter damage during a rewind.

[matt335]

I borrowed a friends M7 and this exact same problem happened to me 6 times with each roll jamming sooner than the last. I sent it away for repairs and the dealer said there were no problems. I retold the story to which I was told maybe it was the way I fed my film and took up the slack before my first frame was taken. Apart from the frustration and the was some dealers treat you I found it doubly frustrating that a new near camera had this problem. What have you decided to do now?

[moberg]

I sent my camera off to repair for this exact problem a year ago. Forgot whom I sent it too but she told me the was a small screw that sometimes loosens. Not a big repair. Let me know if you want more info.

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forum Runner

[christer]

If you fold over the leader, and if the end of the film moves from the inside to the outside of the take up spool when you start advancing the film (because it turns anti clock wise and you have folded the film), then the take up spool may not have enough space for an entire film because of that little piece of film goes the wrong way and the fold takes up a lot of space.

 

I used to fold, and had other film transport problems because of it.

 

Why complicate things, there is a simple procedure for it - in the manual. Works.

[menos I M6]

Send the camera to Leica, have it checked and repaired.

Don't fold leaders with normal film, other than super thin special sorts.

 

Follow the manual loading the film.

 

I usually just throw the film inside without gymnastics regarding the take up spool, hold the leader in place with my thumb over the sprocket transport roll, to ensure, the holes mesh well with the transport sprockets, while advancing the film to frame "-1", before closing the bottom plate.

 

I then advance to frame "0", watching my rewind crank/ rewind know, tension the crank/knob afterwards slightly and shoot.

 

I had never had a roll not loading properly this way, not shooting through properly or blocking/ jamming.

 

Leica will see, if the jamming is accounted to an issue to the camera or wrong loading.

Actually, the film transport of the late M is designed, so it is even possible, to "quick load" the camera (throw film in, align film properly - don't advance, close camera, advance, shoot), when in a very hurry (user observation, if everything runs normal a necessary condition though - feel of advance, watch rewind crank, etc…).

 

I usually have the time, to properly load the camera though.

[stunsworth]

I had never had a roll not loading properly this way, not shooting through properly or blocking/ jamming

 

I had exactly the same symptoms as the OP on my M6. I always loaded the camera correctly. My problem had nothing to do with the way the film was loaded.

 

From memory the repair cost around 50 GBP, and that included a couple of cosmetic fixes.

[menos I M6]

I had exactly the same symptoms as the OP on my M6. I always loaded the camera correctly. My problem had nothing to do with the way the film was loaded.

 

From memory the repair cost around 50 GBP, and that included a couple of cosmetic fixes.

 

Steve, not doubting the OP's problem is real and has nothing to do with his loading (there is a common issue with some Leica bodies - M6? - , where the assembly on the rewind mechanism gets loose and locks up the film transport at some point).

 

… just advising, what works, simply to advising a person, who would make a handstand and a flip flop, before entering their car through the luggage booth, every time before starting the car, not do do, as it does help nothing to operate the car smoothly

[wizard]

Whether folding contributes to the above problem or not, there is absolutely NO reason to fold the film in a Leica M. If you are unlucky, folding may damage the cloth shutter curtain when fully rewinding the film.

 

Andy

[roadracer]

Well, I'm back home, so I took the camera to the shop I purchased it at. They offered to buy it back for $50 (joking) or send it to Leica for $600 (not joking) and felt no obligation to me as a customer since it had been more than 30 days since I purchased the camera.

 

Not exactly the customer service I was hoping for.

 

Is that what I should be expecting if I send the camera or Leica NJ to be looked at?

[budrichard]

Dispense with the shop, call Leica NJ and send it yourself.

If it goes to Germany, yes $600, if not, maybe less. I think they could give you an estimate if they see the camera.-Dick

[menos I M6]

That's a pity :-(

 

If you go and sit on the cost yourself anyway, I would contact the usual suspects in the US and get a quote on the repair + upgrading the viewfinder to newest standard for a little extra from a specialist in the US.

 

The only reason to deal with a locked M7 with Leica Solms for me would be getting the DX reader upgraded and a full spec warranty after the repair.