RotarySMP Posted April 28, 2012 Share #1 Posted April 28, 2012 Advertisement (gone after registration) This may be ofensive to some, but I repaired my own M2. The upper felt seal on the light shield came loose, and jammed the second curtain. A common fault, which was obvious, just looking in the back. I got a couple of estimates for repair/CLA, but €300-500 seemed a poor investment for a beat up body which I'd paid €250 for, and use much less than the M8. Didn't do a 4 1/2 year mechnical apprenticeship for nothing, so I made my own ring spanners with the lathe and some filing, and and fixed it myself. While I was in there I also cleaned the exposed surfaces of the rangfinder and frame line mirror, and the rangefinder is much brighter and frame lines crisper than before. The cement on the light baffle infront of the frame line mirror had released, so I recemented it. The little spring on the frmae line selector mechanism was deformed (it fell out - I didn't damage it removing the body shell). Reformed the hook on that spring and reinstalled it. There was an ugly bulge in the top plate, so I smoothed that out also. For instructions, the Leica Notes PDF, and the 1950's US Army M2 repair manual pdf's were invaluable. I didn't diassemble further than removing the light shield, but nothing visible displayed any obvious wear. The camera is back in service, no light leaks, much clearer, better adjusted, rangefinder, working better than before. 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! 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/178227-diy-repairs/?do=findComment&comment=1995979'>More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted April 28, 2012 Posted April 28, 2012 Hi RotarySMP, Take a look here DIY repairs. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
masjah Posted April 28, 2012 Share #2 Posted April 28, 2012 I honestly never cease to be amazed by the range of skills and expertise displayed by my fellow Forum members! Absolutely fascinating! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pico Posted April 28, 2012 Share #3 Posted April 28, 2012 [...]Didn't do a 4 1/2 year mechnical apprenticeship for nothing, so I made my own ring spanners with the lathe and some filing, and and fixed it myself. [...] I am impressed. Very good for you! Such DIY is definitely not for the average, nor a cottage industry. Hijack: When I was there in the Sixties, Oxford, England had some creative pub graffiti, one of which was, "My mother made me a queer!" and below it in another's handwriting was, "Wow! If I gave her the material, would she make one for me?". Not PC? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RotarySMP Posted April 28, 2012 Author Share #4 Posted April 28, 2012 Good joke. This was not difficult. The following two files give good instructions. The only tricky bits are remembering that the self timer lever screw is a LH thread, and neither book points out that you remove the body shell by rotating it about one end. By taking it easy and not forcing anything, this becomes obvious. It was lucky that the US Army manual has an illustrated parts list, as I had no idea where that screw came from when I saw it in the tray. Just has to search the parts list illustrations till I found were it belonged. http://www.pentax-manuals.com/manuals/service/leica_m2_service.pdf http://www.pentax-manuals.com/manuals/service/leica%20basic%20repair.pdf Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wildlightphoto Posted April 28, 2012 Share #5 Posted April 28, 2012 I've done several repairs on my Leicaflex and SL bodies: re-calibrate light meter for 1.5-volt silver-oxide cells replace light seals adjust shutter anti-return mechanism (replacing crappy plastic cam with metal cam) reset slow-speed shutter timing escapement repair light meter on/off switch replace film advance return spring clean and repair self-timer Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RotarySMP Posted April 28, 2012 Author Share #6 Posted April 28, 2012 Good to see that one doesn't get lynched for DIY. I have no problem with the estimates received. Doing business in Europe is difficult, with mandatory warranty, high payroll taxes, employee benefits etc. I just couldn't face €300+ for a CLA of a camera which was working fine. I tested the shutter using the record player method when I got it. These speeds are all a little slow, but constant, and never shot slides. A little extra light never hurt a negative Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
nobbylon Posted April 29, 2012 Share #7 Posted April 29, 2012 Advertisement (gone after registration) As you have discovered, mechanical Leica's are not rocket science. They are very easy to take apart and adjust and only occasionally need an experienced eye to solve particular problems. Nice job. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RotarySMP Posted April 30, 2012 Author Share #8 Posted April 30, 2012 Thanks Nobby, you are correct... http://leaderslab.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/coffee20mug20-20far20side20rocket20scientists.jpg Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pico Posted April 30, 2012 Share #9 Posted April 30, 2012 [...]It was lucky that the US Army manual has an illustrated parts list, [...] Those manuals are priceless. I had a US Army 70mm Graflex Combat Graphic (Google it - it is like a monster-sized Contax rangefinder) and the official manual for it has, like almost all military gear, a page towards the back on how to dispose of the camera, which means to destroy it so that it is of no use to an enemy. Excerpt: "a grenade will do". Thanks for the information. It is encouraging to me. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Hiles Posted April 30, 2012 Share #10 Posted April 30, 2012 I tested the shutter using the record player method... Could you explain please? Thanks. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
nobbylon Posted May 1, 2012 Share #11 Posted May 1, 2012 Could you explain please? Thanks. Search engines do work Michael CALIBRATING YOUR SHUTTERS WITH TV SET and TURNTABLE Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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