Re: [Leica] More LTM questions

["Dan Post" <dpost@triad.rr.com>]

I was told about the 'dry' running timers in some Leicas by someone with
some experience in repairing them, and I have pulled the top and cover off
an old IIIc to see what all the 'fuss' was about- I would like to get
another to really take down, but so far it has been just a cursory
examination for me- and comparing the real thing to photos!
The mechanism looks relatively simple compared to the modern SLR, but the
LTMs are wonderful in that their simplicity means that they run a long time,
and don't seem to really 'break'- too rugged or over-engineered! They get
dirty and slow down or jam, but I have never heard of very many actually
'wearing out'!
DAn
- ----- Original Message -----
From: Vick Ko <vick.ko@sympatico.ca>
To: <leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us>
Sent: Tuesday, July 04, 2000 5:01 PM
Subject: Re: [Leica] More LTM questions


> Dan - have you "disassembled" one, or at least popped off the lid to get
in?
>
> How do you do it?  (and please say something more than "very carefully")?
>
> What do you clean such a mechanism with?  I read somewhere to use lighter
> fluid.   And what do you use to re-lubricate it with?
>
> ...Vick
>
> Dan Post wrote:
>
> > Depends on the model- some of the Leicas had slow speeds that worked DRY
and
> > if they have accumulated gunk- they need a good cleaning, and let go at
> > that- not to say that other parts might not need a lube!
> > The more I study these little monster, the more amazed I become at the
> > engineers' taking a relatively simple idea, and taking it to the
ultimate of
> > developement!
> > I gather that the shutter in Leicas, since the time of the IIIg have not
> > really been changed- they are the end result of 40 years of development
to
> > make the cloth focal plane shutter perfect- or nearly so!
> > I never would have guessed that so much time and research would go into
the
> > making of such a relatively simple device!!
> > Dan (Boggled!) Post
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: Ted Bradshaw <ted@junior60.demon.co.uk>
> > To: <leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us>
> > Sent: Tuesday, July 04, 2000 12:50 AM
> > Subject: Re: [Leica] More LTM questions
> >
> > > Vick Ko wrote:
> > >
> > > > Has anyone had an intermittent shutter?  I'm not sure that I'm
seeing
> > > > ghosts, but I have picked up the camera a couple times, and the
> > > > shutter has fired slowly.  But if I wind and fire it a few more
times,
> > > > it seems fine.  Maybe the old girl just needs to stretch and limber
up
> > > > a bit before going out?
> > >
> > > She needs to have the shutter serviced. The lubricants in the slow
speed
> > > escapement have thickened and clogged up with age, but a CLA should
sort
> > her
> > > out.
> > >
> > > I had my Leica LTMs serviced here in the UK two years ago at a cost of
UKP
> > > 70 each. They now have shutters that run as smoothly and reliably as a
> > good
> > > sewing machine.
> > >
> > > Best.
> > >
> > > Ted Bradshaw.
> > >
>