R4 - Lens aperture doesn't change the lightmeter exposure read

[Martoschelp]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

Hello,

My father gave me his old Leica R4. After I changed the batteries the lightmeter turns on, but always shows underexpoure no matter what. I noticed that when I change the lens aperture or the ISO setting the exposure read satys the same. The aperture showed in the viewfinder is correct to what I set on the lens.

What could be wrong? or am I missing something?

 

[a.noctilux]

Old electronic trick !

I have some R4 which are paperweights, not repairable.

Maybe yours, if LED turns on, you may have some hope.

Old contacts may have faulty contacts, so turn every dials or switches that you can back&forth.

 

The aperture seen in viewfinder in which mode ?

I think it's reading is optical from the lens aperture ring, not electronic linking.

The front switch ( near shutte rspeed dial setting) to be depressed to move settings A,P, T, m (or something like that) can vary the LED readings.

Edited December 30, 2020 by a.noctilux

[Bobitybob]

If you don't have a copy of the instructions, you can download one from here https://www.butkus.org/chinon/leica.htm.

Good luck and if you get it working, take some photos and post them in the Film thread https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/205842-i-like-filmopen-thread/