leica-curious Posted April 29, 2021 Share #1 Posted April 29, 2021 Advertisement (gone after registration) I've wanted an M-A for years and was finally able to get one for myself. There were a couple of areas that caught my eye and I was wondering if this was acceptable for a store purchased, brand new out of box M-A? I haven't seen any M-As in person so I created this post to get feedback from the community to determine if these anomalies are normal and expected. Abrasions on the upper film rail guide Some sort of spots on the shutter curtain Center at the upper edge Upper edge to the right of the previous Lower right corner Scratch in base plate the interior coating 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! 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/320422-is-this-acceptable-for-a-new-leica-m-a/?do=findComment&comment=4190916'>More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted April 29, 2021 Posted April 29, 2021 Hi leica-curious, Take a look here Is this acceptable for a new Leica M-A?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
jaapv Posted April 29, 2021 Share #2 Posted April 29, 2021 Not acceptable IMO. Leica is about perfection. 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
a.noctilux Posted April 29, 2021 Share #3 Posted April 29, 2021 (edited) Welcome here Leica-Curious, I think that this is your first Leica M. The last pic shows a normal mark on the base plate. The 'Scratch in base plate the interior coating' is normal where the film 'reset to -2 lever' which 'feels' the baseplate when removed from the body. Searching for perfection in manufactured goods would be hopeless. Have a nice day, Edited April 29, 2021 by a.noctilux 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
roelandinho Posted April 29, 2021 Share #4 Posted April 29, 2021 I’d not be worried about these things. I have never seen a Leica that was actually *perfect*. If it works (shoot a rest roll!), be happy 🙂 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
leica-curious Posted April 29, 2021 Author Share #5 Posted April 29, 2021 54 minutes ago, a.noctilux said: Welcome here Leica-Curious, I think that this is your first Leica M. The last pic shows a normal mark on the base plate. The 'Scratch in base plate the interior coating' is normal where the film 'reset to -2 lever' which 'feels' the baseplate when removed from the body. Searching for perfection in manufactured goods would be hopeless. Correct, this is my first M. I understand your point about perfection in manufactured good, and appreciate you taking the time to reply. I want to be clear I created the post with the intent to determine if these anomalies are the sorts of things normally seen in a new M-A or if they were out of the ordinary. The abrasions on the upper film rail guide is the one that really stands out as most odd to me. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
a.noctilux Posted April 29, 2021 Share #6 Posted April 29, 2021 Abrasion on film rail guide ? I saw something like that on my multiple M over time. Just to be sure that is the case ... As my two M-A have film loaded, I had a look at some rails in a couple of my Ms. I see that "thing", black traces on the shiny rails. Those "things" are there since years without affecting my picture productions. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ianman Posted April 29, 2021 Share #7 Posted April 29, 2021 Advertisement (gone after registration) Sometimes I feel like the odd one out on this forum. When I got my MP I didn't inspect it in detail - and still haven't - I just could not wait to get some film in and start using it. 16 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted April 29, 2021 Share #8 Posted April 29, 2021 The only thing that would worry me is something you haven't mentioned which is the 'scratch' on the film pressure plate - unless it's just a bit of fluff? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
StephenH Posted April 29, 2021 Share #9 Posted April 29, 2021 I love reading posts like these. It makes me feel so much better about my 60 year old M3's imperfections. 2 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
250swb Posted April 29, 2021 Share #10 Posted April 29, 2021 Shutters can have a few marks on them and nothing to worry about, but while the guide rail isn't going to affect the image the pitting is unacceptable. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted April 29, 2021 Share #11 Posted April 29, 2021 2 hours ago, a.noctilux said: Welcome here Leica-Curious, I think that this is your first Leica M. The last pic shows a normal mark on the base plate. The 'Scratch in base plate the interior coating' is normal where the film 'reset to -2 lever' which 'feels' the baseplate when removed from the body. Searching for perfection in manufactured goods would be hopeless. Have a nice day, I agree on the baseplate but the scratch on the pressure plate and the mould in the shutter curtains should really not be there. Nor the machining marks on the guide rails. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lct Posted April 29, 2021 Share #12 Posted April 29, 2021 Imperfection on a second hand body yes but new? Sounds like that body has been used and should be quoted as such. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
leica-curious Posted April 29, 2021 Author Share #13 Posted April 29, 2021 2 hours ago, earleygallery said: The only thing that would worry me is something you haven't mentioned which is the 'scratch' on the film pressure plate - unless it's just a bit of fluff? I believe that was a bit of fluff / dust. I was surprised by the amount of small dust inside the new camera. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
leica-curious Posted April 29, 2021 Author Share #14 Posted April 29, 2021 (edited) 3 hours ago, ianman said: Sometimes I feel like the odd one out on this forum. When I got my MP I didn't inspect it in detail - and still haven't - I just could not wait to get some film in and start using it. Trust me, I was excited to load it up! I was loading a roll of film when my eye was drawn to the marred upper rail given the two perfectly shiny film rails at the bottom. I noticed the other things after I put the film down to take a closer look. Edited April 29, 2021 by leica-curious Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
leica-curious Posted April 29, 2021 Author Share #15 Posted April 29, 2021 2 hours ago, lct said: Imperfection on a second hand body yes but new? Sounds like that body has been used and should be quoted as such. It was sold from a well known shop. I have no reason to believe they would falsely sell a used item as new. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danner Posted April 29, 2021 Share #16 Posted April 29, 2021 4 hours ago, ianman said: Sometimes I feel like the odd one out on this forum. When I got my MP I didn't inspect it in detail - and still haven't - I just could not wait to get some film in and start using it. Indeed, I learned years ago that it is best not to shine a light through a brand new lens. Just shoot with it and be happy. 2 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lct Posted April 30, 2021 Share #17 Posted April 30, 2021 39 minutes ago, Danner said: Indeed, I learned years ago that it is best not to shine a light through a brand new lens. Just shoot with it and be happy. And don't sell it to avoid bad surprises . Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ktmrider2 Posted April 30, 2021 Share #18 Posted April 30, 2021 Do the imperfections affect the negative or shooting experience (dust in the viewfinder, for instance). If the answer is no, then ignore them. It is a mechanical device made by humans and not a divine object so perfection is not going to happen. If they make YOU crazy, then return it and put your money toward something else but do not expect perfection no matter what you purchase. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
plaidshirts Posted April 30, 2021 Share #19 Posted April 30, 2021 Dust is unavoidable but the abrasion on the rail should not be there. I’d also argue that it’s not at all unreasonable and certainly not demanding perfection to expect clean, unmarred surfaces on a brand new camera. That should be the norm. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeicaR10 Posted April 30, 2021 Share #20 Posted April 30, 2021 Leica-curious, If you aren't happy with it, send it back for a swap out. Considering what you paid for it, IMO it shouldn't have those flaws. In the past when I owned Canon and Nikon film cameras, they were always pristine when I bought them new. The Leica should be no different. It is your camera, money and decision. r/ Mark 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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