IIIG film wind shaft/knob

[Tessar.]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

Hello everyone.  

I've just taken delivery of a used IIIG body (I'm UK based and it's a UK seller) and have a question regarding the film wind.  There is a small amount of play in the film wind shaft when you hold the wind knob and gently rock back and forth.  I'm wondering if this is the normal state of affairs with the camera being over 60 years old, or should the feel be rock solid with no side to side/back and forth movement at all?

I plan to get the camera overhauled after testing it, and the rest of the camera seems "tight" and no problem with the shutter timing and no pinholes in the curtains.  So should I just get on and use it or look elsewhere for a better one?  

Thanks.

[Advertisement]

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

[david strachan]

Look how much film has gone through the camera perhaps.

Opening the shutter and examining the  wear on the pressure plate may give some indication.

...

[Pyrogallol]

I don’t think it is unusual. If you remove the takeup spool it will wobble even more.

[250swb]

I think some wobble is normal. All my knob rewind Leica's have some movement, so my Barnack cameras and also my M2 and MP cameras all have varying degrees of wobble. I've never really thought about it but my most recently serviced camera was done by ace guru Malcolm Taylor and it still has some movement in the rewind shaft.

[TomB_tx]

I believe some play is designed in, as the bottom of the film spool is guided by the bottom cover. If the top guide was too tight, slight misalignment with the bottom cover would cause binding.

[Tessar.]

15 hours ago, david strachan said:

Look how much film has gone through the camera perhaps.

Opening the shutter and examining the  wear on the pressure plate may give some indication.

...

Good idea, I'll check it out!

Thanks everyone, your comments have definitely reasured me!