Leica IIIF RD - Flash not working

[SimoneRossi]

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Hello everybody.

I often shoot flash with Leica IIIF but today it’s not working anymore 😞

I removed the cold shoe and the shutter speed selector to see if I can fix it with some isopropyl alcohol to clean contacts from dust and oxide.

I found out that the metal pin connected to the shutter button doesn't manage to touch the flash circuit, but if I push it just 1 mm further with a screwdriver, it makes contact and the flash fires. So I imagine that either the spring has become weak/slow or the pin has slightly bent over time."

I know that CLA should be the first option but I did it a year ago and I’m curious to know if someone fixed with some magic trick 🧙

I show you a video.

[jerzy]

there are 2 contacts in series, both mnust be closed to fire the flash. One(A) is located under the locking pawl, second (B) under the speed dial. When you press release contact A shall be closed, shutter starts to run and closes the second contact. When you remove speed dial and the part under it contact B is constantly closed so if you then press release and close A flash shall fire. With the screwdrive you are pushing the pawl down and then contact closes. However what I noticed on the video is that you push the pawl down without having release button down, repeat your test when release button is kept down. Problem is with the contacts under the pawl and you would need to take off the top cover to analyse further.
Btw - did you mark position of the collar under the speed dial before removing it? It is closing contact B when shutter runs and if it is positioned incorrectly flash will not work correctly for bulbs and most probably not for electronic flash

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Edited Monday at 10:09 AM by jerzy

[SimoneRossi]

Thank you @jerzy for the answear.

if I press shutter release pawl goes down but not enough. If I press pawl with the screwdriver the shutter release button goes down as well and flash fires so I think there’s no short circuit problems. 
 

yes,  i marked the correct position of the collant.

Edited Monday at 11:14 AM by SimoneRossi

[SimoneRossi]

UPDATE!

I removed top cover and clean all the flash circuit. Now flash works!

I love this little old barnacks camera because of their “minimal” and “easy” engeneering, so easy that even my cat can fix them

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