enboe Posted February 2, 2015 Share #1 Posted February 2, 2015 Advertisement (gone after registration) Well, I just had a good 90 minutes of unexpected work, and learned something that concerns me. I do wish to share what I found, and also query if anyone else has had the same issue. I put a black chrome M7 in a red Leica a-la-carte case and a silver MP in a green Leica a-la-carte case. I had stored these for around 6 months inside a Fogg bag inside a closet at home. I took out the MP to give it a handling this evening to to help decide if I should pick up an M-A, and what I found was quite alarming. The black velvet inner lining of the case had interacted with the silver chrome top and bottom plates, depositing black residue from the velvet on the camera metal. It also interacted with the Leica rewind crank which I had installed and the hot shoe, all different types of metal than the top plate. Fortunately, the material came off with 45 minutes of elbow grease and a water-dampened micro-fiber cloth. Then came camera #2, the black chrome M7. When I opened the red case, I immediately saw the same materials deposited on the top and bottom plate, and on the hot shoe and wind crank, which are different metals. These deposits were much tougher to clean off, with water, baby-wipes, and makeup-removal wipes all failing to 100% clean off the gunk. Noticing that the black chrome finish is similar to that used on fire arms, I tried a tiny drop of Light Service Action oil on a tissue and scrubbed with 99% success. I then cleaned off the LSA oil to put things back into shooting condition. I still have a small pinprick-sized bump in the top plate from the left over interaction with the case interior, but it's visually clean now. The remaining bump reminds me of the old zinc top plate corrosion issues of some of the silver chrome M6TTLs. I will contact Leica USA tomorrow morning to let them know of the issue. Unfortunately, I have nine of these cases, seven never used, that I am now afraid to put a camera in. Anyone else have a similar issue? What was your resolution? Thank you. Eric Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted February 2, 2015 Posted February 2, 2015 Hi enboe, Take a look here Big scare with a-la-carte cases. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Firefly Posted February 2, 2015 Share #2 Posted February 2, 2015 Perhaps these cameras are trying to tell you they would rather be out and used , cheers Rob Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tobey bilek Posted February 2, 2015 Share #3 Posted February 2, 2015 I have read some serious Japanese collectors & photogs keep things in glass boxes and low humidity. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
250swb Posted February 2, 2015 Share #4 Posted February 2, 2015 I'm not really sure what you mean by the felt leaving a residue, or 'gunk' as you later refer to it. Do you mean the felt stuck itself to the top plate, or you have a surface contamination of some sort that doesn't include bits of felt? The reason I ask is because I have seen an oxidised layer form on guitar parts when they have been stored in a case for a long time, sort of a dirty lacquer layer that is quite tough. It usually arises if the owner has used grooming products such as aftershave and it is the residual oils (and oils from the skin) that have oxidised. It is not the case as such that caused the problem, just that it hasn't been used. Steve Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
menos I M6 Posted February 2, 2015 Share #5 Posted February 2, 2015 If you have to store camera gear long term, NEVER do so in tight enclosures, less so in organic materials. Store cameras and lenses openly in a roomy box, ideally with controlled humidity and most importantly regularly check up on the gear (especially mechanical items with lubrication as gearing in mechanic cameras). Btw - the often snorted at white gloves, internet ridiculed collectors love to use, are not used primarily to ensure baby soft handling of the precious collectable gear, but are used instead to prevent skin tissue, bacteria, oily residue to be left on the gear to act as a base for nasty surprises when storing gear long term. Proper cleaning of camera gear before storing is therefore a must. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lm_user Posted February 2, 2015 Share #6 Posted February 2, 2015 I have read some serious Japanese collectors & photogs keep things in glass boxes and low humidity. People who store their cameras in glass houses ..... Off topic I know - just found it amusing Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
luigi bertolotti Posted February 2, 2015 Share #7 Posted February 2, 2015 Advertisement (gone after registration) People who store their cameras in glass houses ..... Off topic I know - just found it amusing Indeed, given that I have much more lenses than bodies, I keep my cameras completely sorrounded by lenses, thus a sort of "glass house"... Out of joke... I DO NOT LIKE VELVET... and never kept gear in contact with for long... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
NB23 Posted February 2, 2015 Share #8 Posted February 2, 2015 Cases? Half-cases? That must be the most anti-photographic accessory known to mankind. When I'm not destroying them I'm glad to know they're self-destructing. There's hope. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
enboe Posted February 3, 2015 Author Share #9 Posted February 3, 2015 So I left voice mails with Leica, emailed the Leica rep., and called the Los Angeles store. Someone should get back with me. I looked at the black chrome M7 top plate and any remaining new chrome sheen is definitely gone now. I remember how it looked new, and it kept that sheen up to this experience, even with hundreds of rolls through it. Additional data: I own cases type 14870 and 14871 for the M film cameras and 14872 for the M8/M9/Monochrom and have had no such issues. Even the MP/Leicavit case has shown no such issue. Eric P.S. I like an everyday case when I visit places that rain, snow, or have crowds that bump into each other. Otherwise a naked camera is much nicer. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
FredR Posted February 3, 2015 Share #10 Posted February 3, 2015 Cases? Half-cases? That must be the most anti-photographic accessory known to mankind. Not quite. That's a lens cap. Fred Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
colonel Posted February 3, 2015 Share #11 Posted February 3, 2015 Never store anything in a case of any kind. Organic is particularly bad but synthetic also leaks dye and falls apart. I take my leather half case off my cameras even over night. Just store the camera in a high quality camera bag. For long term storage use the box the camera came in Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rodluvan Posted February 3, 2015 Share #12 Posted February 3, 2015 I then cleaned off the LSA oil to put things back into shooting condition. Eric why? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
FredR Posted February 10, 2015 Share #13 Posted February 10, 2015 Never store anything in a case of any kind. Organic is particularly bad but synthetic also leaks dye and falls apart. ...For long term storage use the box the camera came in Wouldn't the flocked surfaces in original boxes present the same problem? Fred Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paulus Posted February 10, 2015 Share #14 Posted February 10, 2015 Never store anything in a case of any kind.Organic is particularly bad but synthetic also leaks dye and falls apart. I take my leather half case off my cameras even over night. Just store the camera in a high quality camera bag. For long term storage use the box the camera came in When I have used the camera in humidity , I always take of the case and leave it to dry for one night at room temperature. never had and problems with it. But one has to be carful. The leather is made of dead animals. Fungus and rot are always in the neighborhood. I'm sorry you had this bad experience. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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