Loose screw inside my Leicaflex SL2 :O

[Henkr]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

Hi all;

Yesterday I tried to advance the film in my SL2 from 35 to 36 but was unable to. I tried to fire the shutter which was locked, so I tried to use the timer function, which was able to be turned but didn't wind down as normal. Thinking that perhaps I just pulled out too much film when loading or something, I rewound and unloaded the film without issue and put a new roll in today, however I found that the film advance lever was no longer engaged and the shutter would no longer fire.

I opened up the bottom, and played around with the levers/rewind button, and found that the rewind button was not resetting properly when the back was opened and closed. I manually disengaged the rewind button from the inside, the countdown spring (still wound from the day before) started to tick, I was able to fire the shutter and use the film advance lever as normal. However, with the bottom open, I found a loose screw laying on top of the film sprocket gears (see photos, circled) just kinda sitting there - it's entirely possible the screw came from somewhere else in the system as I shook the camera and gently tapped it before opening it up. This might be a long shot, but I'm wondering if anyone either has references or a manual of what the inside should look like, or knows where the screw comes from, or if it's related to the problems I've described.

Thanks!

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!

 

 

[Advertisement]

The Leica Q3 is available for pre-order at B&H Photo Video and Adorama

[davidmknoble]

First, I have no idea about the answer to your question,  However, in your second shot there is a screw hole to the left of the brass nut, that obviously had a screw in it based on the worn metal.  The screws at the top of the plate are similar.  Have you checked to see if the thread matches that hole?

Just a thought….

[Henkr]

I think I see the one you're referring to! I checked it over with a YouTube video of someone disassembling a SL for another purpose, and that didn't have a screw in that hole. I'll check it the next time I undo the plate though!

So I ended up having a chat with some very nice staff at a camera shop in my area, and he said that sometimes he sees stuff like this - the screw may have even come from somewhere else that's not the camera - and to just check the functions and keep shooting. I've put one roll through with no issues, so hopefully it keeps on chugging!

[Ketilbl]

Difficult to tell without the specification of the screw. Do you have a picture of the other side of the bottom?

[jaapv]

Given the damaged screws all over the place, this camera has clearly been worked on in a rather careless way. Maybe the screw has been inside the camera all the time and has merely migrated. With its lens-shaped head it does not look like an "inside" screw.