wlaidlaw Posted March 7, 2019 Share #1 Posted March 7, 2019 Advertisement (gone after registration) Has anyone tried to replace the seals on an R4 with a Minolta XD-7 seal kit. The Minolta kit is readily available for £14, which is I would imagine, a fraction of the price of a genuine R4 kit, assuming Paepke even have one available. I am told that the R4-MOT that is on the way to me, at least needs new seals, apart from any other faults it may have. Wilson Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted March 7, 2019 Posted March 7, 2019 Hi wlaidlaw, Take a look here Minolta XD-7 seal kit for R4-MOT?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
wlaidlaw Posted March 7, 2019 Author Share #2 Posted March 7, 2019 After a bit more searching, there is a US seller who sells R4 seal kits on Fleabay at about the same price as the Minolta kits, so if my R4-MOT can be resurrected, I will buy a proper R4 seal kit. If the R4 can be persuaded to work, I will get Kelvin at Protec photo repairs to do the seal kit. Whereas I am happy to replace the rear door seals myself, having done a few Contax cameras in the past, I think replacing mirror buffer/seals is best left to a professional. Wilson Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pridbor Posted March 24, 2019 Share #3 Posted March 24, 2019 I have had good luck with kits from Jon Goodman jgood21967@aol.com 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wlaidlaw Posted March 24, 2019 Author Share #4 Posted March 24, 2019 The people I found selling the R4 kit are Englewood Camera, who are Leica dealers in Littlewood, CO. Being a Leica dealer is always a good start and they have the R4 kit in stock. Wilson 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
GRBrown Posted March 29, 2019 Share #5 Posted March 29, 2019 Englewood Camera is in Englewood, Colorado, not Littlewood. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wlaidlaw Posted March 29, 2019 Author Share #6 Posted March 29, 2019 5 hours ago, GRBrown said: Englewood Camera is in Englewood, Colorado, not Littlewood. When I searched under the seller name in Littlewood, CO, it came up with Englewood Camera, who also happened to be Leica Dealers, which I thought was too big a coincidence. Wilson Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wlaidlaw Posted April 4, 2019 Author Share #7 Posted April 4, 2019 (edited) Advertisement (gone after registration) My "FREE" R4-MOT arrived from Germany yesterday, after I had asked the seller to delay sending it, while I was in India and the 500mm MR-Telyt-R lens. The lens was really what I wanted but oddly the price for the R4 + Lens was considerably less than others were asking for just the lens, so the R4 actually had a negative cost. I was not expecting much so was very surprised to find the camera in beautiful cosmetic condition, considerably better than my R9, obviously having had little use and that careful. I put a spare CR 1/3 DN battery in (I keep them for my M7), after cleaning the contacts. The shutter now fired but the camera was really only working in M mode, which meant I could use it with an external meter or sunny 16. I decided to investigate further, as electronics were obviously alive with some LED activity. I took the top off and found the mode switch, EV compensation and ISO contacts, all dirty. A quick clean with Servisol switch cleaner fluid, reassemble and all sprang to life in all modes. I have checked the light metering and it appears accurate. The only thing I cannot get working is the electronic shutter delay mechanism but as I would very rarely use this, it is no real hardship. This must be my ultimate Leica bargain. The MR Telyt was also in very nice condition, with no hazing, fungus or mirror deterioration. The rear UV-C filter was very dirty with finger grease and general grubbiness. The front cover glass was in as new condition, being protected by a cheap "no brand" 77mm UV-A filter in quite poor condition with damaged coating, so I have bought a new Hoya MRC clear glass replacement, as two UV filters are not required. The lens handles very well on the SL and R9, being about the same weight as the 24-90SL or 80-200/4 R lenses. Unless you were using quite fast film in the R9, I would think it is really a tripod or at least monopod lens, due to its slow f8 aperture but I can hand hold on the SL. The image quality seems at least as good as the 80-200 + 2X APO extender, as long as you can live with doughnut bokeh. I have bought an R4 seal kit from Jerry at US Camera in Colorado. Wilson PS There was also a lovely black leather Leitz camera bag included, which has the internal fittings to use with the MR-Telyt lens. I have seen folks asking €150 for these beautifully made cases. Given that the whole kit, bag, camera and lens cost just €500, I am smiling from ear to ear. 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! Edited April 4, 2019 by wlaidlaw 1 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/294956-minolta-xd-7-seal-kit-for-r4-mot/?do=findComment&comment=3715312'>More sharing options...
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