Huss Posted March 12, 2023 Share #941 Posted March 12, 2023 Advertisement (gone after registration) 4 hours ago, Dan Jackson said: Just had this email updating the situation regarding my scratching Leica MP (manufactured November 2022) which was sent to Leica Germany. ”Our technicians in Germany have identified a fault with the pressure plate, which they intend to replace.” Makes sense that it would effect the MP too. Anyone who has an M-A built around that time should also check theirs. Now that it is clear that Leica does have a problem with some cameras scratching film, and now that it is very easy to find with an internet search, it would behoof owners to make sure their cameras do not scratch film if they have any intention of selling them in the future. This never was on my radar until now - as the natural assumption is after a century or so of building 35mm cameras this would be a non issue - but my first check buying a new M6, or a new or used MP or M-A would be to check if it is a scratcher. This has only come to light with an official explanation and resolution from Leica because of persistence in demanding answers. 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted March 12, 2023 Posted March 12, 2023 Hi Huss, Take a look here Brand new MP/M-A/M6 film scratches [Merged]. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
RobW0 Posted March 12, 2023 Share #942 Posted March 12, 2023 57 minutes ago, Huss said: Makes sense that it would effect the MP too. Anyone who has an M-A built around that time should also check theirs. Now that it is clear that Leica does have a problem with some cameras scratching film, and now that it is very easy to find with an internet search, it would behoof owners to make sure their cameras do not scratch film if they have any intention of selling them in the future. This never was on my radar until now - as the natural assumption is after a century or so of building 35mm cameras this would be a non issue - but my first check buying a new M6, or a new or used MP or M-A would be to check if it is a scratcher. This has only come to light with an official explanation and resolution from Leica because of persistence in demanding answers. My M-A with date of 2022/09/29 has no problems. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
69xchange Posted March 13, 2023 Share #943 Posted March 13, 2023 Seems like the bad batches are from production dates ranging from 11/2022 - 12/2022? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RayD28 Posted March 13, 2023 Share #944 Posted March 13, 2023 You would think a recall is in order. It's up to the owner to decide to send their camera in, but Leica should be able to identify the range of batches with potential problems. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jewl Posted March 13, 2023 Share #945 Posted March 13, 2023 I ran through 3 rolls of Kodak film and the only thing I can see (if this is a thing) is on the outside of these small holes but basically outside of the frame? Have uploaded a video to WeTransfer: https://we.tl/t-D0ZW0XLBPQ (1 video, 2 images) and as follows one in smaller resolution: 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/355800-brand-new-mpm-am6-film-scratches-merged/?do=findComment&comment=4722265'>More sharing options...
Mikep996 Posted March 13, 2023 Share #946 Posted March 13, 2023 I wouldn't worry at all about that, it's well outside of the frame - marking from the sprockets pulling the film along the alignment rail (or whatever it's called). I suspect it's not unusual on any film camera though I admit I have never looked for it... 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Huss Posted March 13, 2023 Share #947 Posted March 13, 2023 Advertisement (gone after registration) 3 hours ago, Jewl said: I ran through 3 rolls of Kodak film and the only thing I can see (if this is a thing) is on the outside of these small holes but basically outside of the frame? Have uploaded a video to WeTransfer: https://we.tl/t-D0ZW0XLBPQ (1 video, 2 images) and as follows one in smaller resolution: 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! Yeah, as Mike said, don't worry about that. That is from friction running against the sprocket gears and is normal. If it isn't in the picture frame, it doesn't matter. 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tjxism Posted March 17, 2023 Share #948 Posted March 17, 2023 In case anyone are still experiencing the scratching issue, I confirm Leica has acknowledged the issue and is offering repair free of charge. My MP was bought back in early 2020 and the scratch issue has bothered me for 3 years. I recently sent the camera back to Germany and they offered free repair with CLA (rangefinder adjustment and leatherette fixing) despite my camera is out of warranty. Just wish the repair wouldn't take 6 months. 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Huss Posted March 17, 2023 Share #949 Posted March 17, 2023 You lived with it for three years?! After my first roll - I was NOPE! I am glad they are repairing it for free, which is how it should be seeing they sold you a new defective camera. 6 months wait is unfortunate. But, well, then hopefully you will be done. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
logan2z Posted March 17, 2023 Share #950 Posted March 17, 2023 1 hour ago, Huss said: You lived with it for three years?! Just the sort of patience one needs to wait 6 months for a repair. 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tjxism Posted March 18, 2023 Share #951 Posted March 18, 2023 (edited) 7 hours ago, Huss said: You lived with it for three years?! After my first roll - I was NOPE! I am glad they are repairing it for free, which is how it should be seeing they sold you a new defective camera. 6 months wait is unfortunate. But, well, then hopefully you will be done. I confirmed the scratching issue around the time WTO confirmed the global Pandemic. The other MP sold by the same dealer has the same issue, I met the buyer on this forum. Plus, our MPs were the last batch of A La Carte, no replacement was possible. It was very unpleasant living with the issue for three years. I find scaningn with a very diffused light source kind of hides the issue. I almost can’t see the scratches scanning with a digital camera and Negative Supply carrier. Other carriers where the light box sits closer to the film are less forgiving. Plustek scanners are the “worst” with scratches. Edited March 18, 2023 by tjxism Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikep996 Posted March 18, 2023 Share #952 Posted March 18, 2023 "Plustek scanners are the “worst” with scratches. " The best scanner for film is called an "Enlarger." 🤨 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
M9reno Posted March 18, 2023 Share #953 Posted March 18, 2023 22 minutes ago, Mikep996 said: "Plustek scanners are the “worst” with scratches. " The best scanner for film is called an "Enlarger." 🤨 You point to an interesting question: How much of the “scratch-gate” is the result of scanning film using harsh digital methods that turn up micro-scratches and other problems that in the past were normally hidden by diffusion enlargers? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Ricoh Posted March 18, 2023 Share #954 Posted March 18, 2023 Maybe the solution is to ‘shoot’ XP2 and scan with ICE. Problem solved! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted March 18, 2023 Share #955 Posted March 18, 2023 1 hour ago, Steve Ricoh said: Maybe the solution is to ‘shoot’ XP2 and scan with ICE. Problem solved! Yes and if you buy a new car that keeps breaking down the solution is to only drive it as far as you're prepared to walk back! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BradS Posted March 18, 2023 Share #956 Posted March 18, 2023 5 hours ago, M9reno said: How much of the “scratch-gate” is the result of scanning film using harsh digital methods that turn up micro-scratches and other problems that in the past were normally hidden by diffusion enlargers? That kinda ignores the fact that the vast majority of enlargers used in home and school darkrooms are/were condenser enlargers. No...It has never been ok for for a camera to scratch film, not even a little tiny bit. This is a major, major screw up on Leica's part. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Huss Posted March 18, 2023 Share #957 Posted March 18, 2023 6 hours ago, M9reno said: You point to an interesting question: How much of the “scratch-gate” is the result of scanning film using harsh digital methods that turn up micro-scratches and other problems that in the past were normally hidden by diffusion enlargers? None. The camera scratched the film. Not a scanner, or an enlarger. Which is why Leica has acknowledged the problem several times, including head of Leica M group Christoph Mueller. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Huss Posted March 18, 2023 Share #958 Posted March 18, 2023 “Micro scratches”! lol. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomB_tx Posted March 18, 2023 Share #959 Posted March 18, 2023 2 hours ago, BradS said: That kinda ignores the fact that the vast majority of enlargers used in home and school darkrooms are/were condenser enlargers. I've used condenser enlargers for 55 years, and they do show small faults. In our camera club in the 1960s now and then a student would find scratched negatives on a new camera, We just investigated the cause and always were able to polish out the reason - usually a pressure plate. We never considered this a big deal - but we were engineering students... 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BradS Posted March 18, 2023 Share #960 Posted March 18, 2023 (edited) 3 hours ago, TomB_tx said: …. In our camera club in the 1960s now and then a student would find scratched negatives on a new camera, We just investigated the cause and always were able to polish out ….. Were you digging cameras out of a gravel pit? What kind of low quality garbage cameras were these that scratched film? in my 45 years of doing photography I’ve owned and used several dozen cameras. Not one of them scratched film -ever- but I was using quality stuff…mostly Nikon and Pentax but a few Minoltas and medium format Mamiyas too. Never ever did any of them scratch film. Edited March 18, 2023 by BradS Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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