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Leica IIIa curtain tension question


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It took me a fair number of tries to get my main and second curtains to sync and come across together and to pass the general Television Test. The most difficult part was getting 1000s through 20-1 and Z to all function under the same tension settings. I was curious as to what number of turns is considered average for the main curtain roller and the second curtain roller?

 

Thank you. Dann

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  • 9 months later...

Hi Dann

 

I just fell across your question here from some time ago. Do you actually take the inner parts apart yourself? I would be very interested in finding out how my old LeicaIII works but I do not dare messing around with the curtains yet. Do you know of any documentation, best on the web, that explians the funktion and maybe even shows how to take one apart and put it back together.

 

thanks

Uwe

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Hi Uwe,

 

Leica servicing instructions & parts manuals are your best bet,i have 2 of them (M3 and IIIf) and find them a very helpful guide when reconditioning my collection of old Leica RF's.

 

As far as removing the curtains from your camera is concerned ,unless they need replacing leave them be,

 

it's a major strip down and certainly not recommended for anyone unfamiliar with these cameras.

 

Noel

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Hi Noel

 

Can those documents be downloaded anywhere or maybe bought? Would be very interesting to read through them to get an idea of the complexity...

 

Who dares wins!

 

cheers

Uwe

 

Uwe

 

I came across the manuals on E-Bay . they are copies of the official Leitz service manuals in German/English with diagrams and part numbers and full servicing instructions.

 

The M3 manual i have covers all versions from 700 001 - 963 001 both DS & SS.

The IIIf covers 8 variants in total which includes the IIIc & IIIg also.

 

"A BIG WORD OF WARNING":)

Great care and attention to detail is required to work on these cameras,they are not toys.

 

Unless you have very good mechanical engineering knowledge do NOT attempt to disassemble these cameras.

 

If you do take on the task of repair,because some special tools are required you must be in a position to make some of your own tools and use only high quality tools of the correct size and specification.

 

Having said all that,your best bet might be to buy a cheap defective camera,(i'v come across several on E-Bay from time to time) and work on that,it'll give you a good idea of the workings of a high quality Leica Rangefiner,and without the risks or expense involved.

 

I hope this of some help to you.

 

Noel

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Hi Noel

 

Thanks for the reply. I have meanwhile found a page on the web where I was able to download quite a few Leica service manuals. There is a thread on the rangefinder forum about it that points to PENTAX MANUALS.

I would never try to mess with a good camera and I am in dead looking for a cheap III series in wreck condition to serve a a test bed. I am just very interested in finding out how they work...that's my nature I guess;)

 

cheers

Uwe

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Hi,

 

I started with Thomas Tomosy´s Leica Camera repair book, it´s very good reading and

advise.Have made many tools myself plus bought a lot from Micro Tools, have worked

a lot on LTM, fitted new shutter curtains in some of my bodies. In my opionion there is

no reason for a warning but be prepared for a lot of try and errror experiences plus some

nightmares.

Manuals2go is another good source for repairmanuals but in the end you will make the

necessary experiences yourself.

My personal view is working on M3, M4, M4-P is easier as on any LTM, but there could

be exceptions, of course.

 

Jo

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