Leica M3 Strange Shutter Noise

[4r36]

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Hello everybody,

Usually when I change roll on my M3 I shoot a few times the exposure times that I use less. However, today I noted that when I cock the shutter the camera makes a strange noise, like something is scratching. Sometimes it makes a strange noise also when I shoot. I made a video, so that you can better understand what I'm talking about:

Any idea of the possible cause? The camera was CLAed a few months ago, so, please, don't tell me that I have to send it back!

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[105012]

It does sound a bit like the ratcheting return mechanism (introduced post-963k M3) is dragging when winding on, not sure. Probably best to send this video to your CLA provider?

[Kl@usW.]

Have you made sure the little  rewind lever is back to its "normal" position  after rewinding the film ? I had this on my M7: It worked perfectly, but you had to set back the little lever manually, otherwise you got this nasty noise. I don't have an M3, but on my Barnack s there are two positions: R like  rewind and A like "Aufnahme". Not so on my MPs, there are no signs. 

 

[4r36]

https://youtu.be/XEvgzyxFAX8

1 hour ago, 105012 said:

It does sound a bit like the ratcheting return mechanism (introduced post-963k M3) is dragging when winding on, not sure. Probably best to send this video to your CLA provider?

 

1 hour ago, Kl@usW. said:

Have you made sure the little  rewind lever is back to its "normal" position  after rewinding the film ? I had this on my M7: It worked perfectly, but you had to set back the little lever manually, otherwise you got this nasty noise. I don't have an M3, but on my Barnack s there are two positions: R like  rewind and A like "Aufnahme". Not so on my MPs, there are no signs. 

 

Thank you both,

the problem seemed to be the position of the rewind lever indeed! It was in the normal position, but I tried moved it to the R position and then move it back to the vertical position, and the nasty noise is gone. Thanks again!

[105012]

The R rewind lever should automatically reset itself during wind on. It does on all my M3’s. 

[4r36]

15 minutes ago, 105012 said:

The R rewind lever should automatically reset itself during wind on. It does on all my M3’s. 

True, it automatically resets on mine too. Probably it didn't do so properly last time, for whatever reason. I'll keep an eye on it, if it happens again, I'll send it to a technician (the one who performed the CLA on my M3 is actually quite difficult to reach out)...