Film Leica shutter temporarily ‘stuck’ after not being used for a while

[Noctinoir]

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Hello members

So my vintage M3 does a thing where if it hasn’t been used for a while (sometimes even an hour) when shutter release is pressed, the shutter opens up but it doesn’t close. So naturally the rewind lever  can’t be used and the entire camera is ‘’stuck’ with an open shutter. After about a minute, shutter closes on it’s own and camera works perfectly well.

Has anyone come across this this issue? Any ideas for a fix? 
 

many thanks

Edited January 29, 2023 by Noctinoir

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[Noctinoir]

3 minutes ago, Noctinoir said:

Hello members

So my vintage M3 does a thing where if it hasn’t been used for a while (sometimes even an hour) when shutter release is pressed, the shutter opens up but it doesn’t close. So naturally the rewind lever  can’t be used and the entire camera is ‘’stuck’ with an open shutter. After about a minute, shutter closes on it’s own and camera works perfectly well.

Has anyone come across this this issue? Any ideas for a fix? 
 

many thanks

To add to this, my M4 and two vintage M6s work perfectly well when picked up even if not used for years. 
 

So not sure if this is an M3 issue or an issue with thia particular body. Cheers

[250swb]

1 hour ago, Noctinoir said:

Hello members

So my vintage M3 does a thing where if it hasn’t been used for a while (sometimes even an hour) when shutter release is pressed, the shutter opens up but it doesn’t close. So naturally the rewind lever  can’t be used and the entire camera is ‘’stuck’ with an open shutter. After about a minute, shutter closes on it’s own and camera works perfectly well.

Has anyone come across this this issue? Any ideas for a fix? 
 

many thanks

It sounds like the shutter needs servicing. If the grease is degrading the camera can work properly for many years, until it is left for a while. They can be like cars, the best way to maintain them is to use them.

[williamj]

Steve’s right. So what happens if you crank and fire the camera the required number of shots to keep the shutter working, at 5 times per shutter speed and the self timer that’s 65 for the single stroke and 60 for the double stroke but go overboard and do this several times. Imagine you were shooting 5 to 10 rolls, so several hundred shots. Is it still sticky after that? I’ve had an M3 improve just by dry firing the shutter a lot. 

[spydrxx]

Years ago (in the 1980s) I was at a free Leica evaluation clinic where you brought your camera in and a Leica technician quickly evaluated it for issues. I remember his advice to me, "When you're watching TV in the evening instead of eating munchies, dry fire your M4 8-10 times on each shutter speed going up and then down the speed scale. That is the best way to keep things from gunking up".  Yep, he was right!  Try exercising it, but probably best of all it will need a CLA and relubing.

[Noctinoir]

Wow that’s interesting, thanks everyone! Will be doing some dry shooting tonight I guess! Thanks

[Huss]

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I think it even says it in the owner's manual to dry fire the shutter.