Damage mechanism if change shutter speed before winding (LTM cameras)?

[ironringer]

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For Leica IIIf and IIIg cameras, does changing the shutter speed BEFORE winding cause any damage to the shutter mechanism? The instruction manuals for IIIc and IIIf cameras state that the shutter speed is only adjusted after the shutter is wound.

[250swb]

Its because you can't do it anyway, the shutter dial which rotates won't be in the correct position until the shutter is cocked. As an example if you set the shutter to 1/500th sec before cocking the shutter after you cocked the shutter you'd find you had really set it on 'B'.

 

Steve

[jaques]

but does it damage the mechanism?

[ironringer]

Yes, THAT is the question - will changing the shutter speed on a IIIf or IIIg (or any LTM camera) BEFORE it is wound, DAMAGE anything?

[M9reno]

It won't damage the mechanism.

 

In fact, it is part of Kisselbach's instructions on how to override film winding to make a second exposure.

 

"...if for any reason you want to make two exposures on one negative this can be done in the following way... After one exposure do not wind the film on in the normal way but press down the release button a second time and keep it down with finger pressure. While it is down, rotate the fast speed dial backwards without lifting it until it strikes the stop. Hold it firmly in this position and allow the button to spring up. The shutter is then wound and a second exposure can be made with a different speed setting if necessary." (Pocket Leica Book, p. 206).

 

(Although, of course, this merthod will only work on screwmounts, I believe the equivalent method for intentional double-exposure on an M is to disengage the winding knob from the film by applying Reverse, wind the shutter, then disengage Reverse.)

[ironringer]

Thank you for that information. That double exposure procedure is not quite the same as the following: with an unwound (uncocked) shutter, lift and turn the shutter speed dial, or don't lift it but turn it. Would that damage anything? I am reluctant to try it.

I ask because that's what someone (NOT a LTM user) tried to do when looking at my IIIf. I stopped him before he actually turned the shutter speed dial.

With an uncocked shutter, I believe you would be able to lift and turn the shutter speed dial in either direction, or not lift and turn the dial in one direction. Would either operation damage something?

A repair technician would probably know the answers.

[iphoenix]

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The damage to a shutter by changing this way came through the first model Hasselblads and subsequent Soviet era 35mm and medium format cameras having their shutters damaged by people not adhering to the instructions.

 

Don't worry about a Leica.

[250swb]

As an example if you set the shutter to 1/500th sec before cocking the shutter after you cocked the shutter you'd find you had really set it on 'B'.

 

Steve

 

I wasn't going to discover where 1/500th of a second ended up just to satisfy you if it was going to damage my camera, and neither does the manual say it will damage the camera, the instruction is to stop users looking like a idiot by setting the wrong shutter speed.

 

Steve