robh Posted July 20, 2008 Share #1 Posted July 20, 2008 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hello, this is my first post (although I've been visiting for some time). I've just achieved a long-lasting ambition to acquire a Leica M2, in nice condition. My questions relate to cleaning & maintenance, as I'm keen to use it rather than just store it. Are the viewfinder & rangefinder windows (on the front) & the viewfinder eye-piece (on rear) made of glass, & can I use microfibre cloth & Zeiss lens cleaning fluid (contains isopropanol) safely on them to remove fingerprints? The frame illumination window seems to be plastic. Any tips for safely removing marks/fingerprints from the chrome? Should I store the camera in my humidity-controlled cabinet (35-40% RH) where I keep my lenses, or is low humidity bad for vulcanite? Rob Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted July 20, 2008 Posted July 20, 2008 Hi robh, Take a look here cleaning/maintenance of M2. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
andybarton Posted July 20, 2008 Share #2 Posted July 20, 2008 I just clean mine with a soft cloth. Nothing more seems to be necessary 99.9% of the time. It sits on the shelf when it is not with me, but I do live in a temperate climate where excesses of humidity are not a problem. Whereabouts in the world are you? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
robh Posted July 20, 2008 Author Share #3 Posted July 20, 2008 I live in south-eastern Australia: not especially humid, but the cabinets are much cheaper than a Leica lens! Thanks for your reply. Regards, Rob Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
luigi bertolotti Posted July 20, 2008 Share #4 Posted July 20, 2008 A humidity controlled storage is anyway a good thing, and isn't by sure a problem for vulcanite (that, by itself, is also the cheaper part to change in case of need). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
robh Posted July 21, 2008 Author Share #5 Posted July 21, 2008 Thanks Luigi, I certainly sleep better with the lenses in the cabinet Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted July 21, 2008 Share #6 Posted July 21, 2008 Same here as Andy, clean the 'windows' with a lens cloth/tissue, and the body with a blower brush/cloth periodically. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dkCambridgeshire Posted July 21, 2008 Share #7 Posted July 21, 2008 Advertisement (gone after registration) I just bought an M2 and gave the exterior including the windows a dxxx good clean using a piece of paper kitchen towel soaked (but not saturated!) in iso propyl alcohol ... then finished it off with a soft cotton cloth. Leica M rangefinders are TOUGH professional cameras ... as long as you treat the windows with respect and dont start spraying cleaning fluid onto them then should be ok to use iso propyl alcohol as a cleaner ... and even use a moist but not "dripping wet" cotton bud to get into the awkward bits ... and clean the film pressure plate too. Your camera will probably get much harsher treatment when using it on a long hot day. Regarding finger marks on the chrome ... the camera is at least 40 years old ... a few marks on the chrome don't matter ... all good "wabi" ... do you want to use it or are you going to enter it into a beauty contest? :-) I think there is far too much caution preached about handling cameras ... they are built to withstand hard use ... which includes the occasional sensible clean. The vulcanite will withstand a wipe with a damp cloth occasionally. Cheers dunk Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Hiles Posted July 21, 2008 Share #8 Posted July 21, 2008 I have had my M2 (1959) since almost new (1964). I have used small amounts of isopropyl alchohol to clean viewfinders and the chrome, with no problem. I think it would be good not to get the liquid into the mechanism or the viewfinder, but to gently remove a fingerprint using a q-tip or very soft cloth - should be no problem. I had mine cleaned, lubed and adjusted about 2 years ago. Over about 40 years the lubrication had dried and the cleaned viewfinder was really nice. They are work horses and will stand up to intellegent daily use. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
robh Posted July 23, 2008 Author Share #9 Posted July 23, 2008 James, Dunk & Michael, Responses & advice much appreciated. I'll just use it & enjoy it. Cheers, Rob Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lars_bergquist Posted August 4, 2008 Share #10 Posted August 4, 2008 You should in any case let a qualified camera mechanic with Leica experience make a thorough health check (shutter speeds etc.) The advice about cleaning and lubrication is also good. And above all: use the camera. After all, the M2 was the sexiest M ever. The old man from the Age of the M2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.