My Leica

[kamera]

After a delivery change by UPS, I finally received my original series Leicaflex with 50/2 Summicron R lens, pictures of which I posted recently.

It is a BEAUT and looks like a seldom held store demo!

There are two flaws though, which I actually missed when I looked the camera over initially, but saw upon shining it up a little. On two corners of the top plate there are small 'nick'...I would not even call them 'dents'. Other than them...spotless! Even the original instruction manual I bought from Craig Camera looks to be brand new and never opened.

Now...never having even held a Leica before except the old RF IIIc I have for display, this ol' guy learned something new. I noted that the Leicaflex had no foam seals or foam to cushion the mirror. So off I trot to the local repair shop to get a kit before shooting a roll of film. Well, Fred, the owner...being ever the gentleman he is...politely showed me how Leica has a double track where the back and body join upon closing and explained that the camera thusly does not need foam sealing.

I had noticed that there did not seem to be a residue in the track and even looked at it with a magnifying glass and flashlight. However, as a caution...off to see Fred I went.

Again, being rather ignorant about Leica, and since this is one of the original series, I guess that the lens I got is a "one cam"...!? For now, I will use only the lens I have, but sometime I may want to get, say a 90/2.8 Emarit R I believe it is.

Next step...shoot a roll of film.

Ron Head
Kalamazoo, MI

[Rachel]

Ron,

Sounds like you got a great buy.

You can use 2 and 3 cam lenses on your Leicaflex. Some later lenses were 3rd cam only so no good for your camera. Also you can't mount current ROM lenses either. 1 and 2 cam lenses should be rather cheaper than 3 cam.

[kamera]

Rachel,

Thanks for the info! Further clarification please...does it have to be designated an "R" lens?

Ron

[Rachel]

Ron,

I'm sure that all Leica SLR lens have the R suffix.

Rachel

[kamera]

Finally got a nice day today so was able to run a test roll of film through my Leicaflex. The camera basically and the lens definately performed great, and the pics came out with good color and resolution.

The camera is a pleasure to use.

Woe, woe, woe though...after a couple test frames using the in-camera meter, the meter needle disappeared. And I believe I can see it lying loose at the bottom of the viewfinder above the shutter speeds. The follow(lollipop) needle is still there and moves.

I completed the roll using my old handheld Gossen Pilot meter. No big deal there as I like to use it anyway.

Now I must decide whether to get the meter fixed. A couple sources on the internet alluded to that CLA and even minor repairs on a Leica can amount to $400-$500 dollars. I sure am not excited about having to pay that much. It would almost double what I paid for the camera.

I can always just use my handheld meter like I did today, and do for my cameras with no built-in meter.

Ron Head
Kalamazoo, MI

[Rachel]

Strange about the meter needle. You wouldn't think it could just drop off. When my SL is not switched on you can't see the needle at all. I can't recall how you switch the meter on with the original Leicaflex. On the SL you move the wind on lever to the stand-off position. Have you tried a new battery Ron?

[kamera]

Rachel,

Well, I have turned the camera upside down a number of times, and cannot jar loose what I thought was the needle, although I have never heard of such happening either. I figured jarring would loosen it. What I see there is apparently just a piece of dirt and a slightly unstraight line on the shutter speed readout.

Yes to your questions. I did put in a new battery that day and had tried the battery check with the film advance lever fully closed, slightly open and in the standoff position.

Ron Head
Kalamazoo, MI

[Rachel]

Ron,

Does the battery check produce any response?

I've asked around and my brother, who also has an SL, asked on the Leica Reflex Forum. Your camera does not have a meter switch so the meter is always on. All that has been suggested is that you check that the battery contacts are clean and that you "tap" the prism housing in case it is a "sticky" needle. I expect, though, you've tried those things.

[kamera]

Rachel,

You are so kind going to the point of really helping me solve the problem; and I really appreciate it.

I have tried two new batteries, always clean camera contacts and battery with a fiberglass type pen, tried to loosen by tapping the prism housing...all to no avail. I even dropped the camera on the floor from a height of two feet and nothing happened and the camera itself still works fine...lol...just joking on that one... ;D ;D

The meter needle stays completely hidden and the check button solicits no response.

Since everthing else seems to work so great, I am hesitant to pay the large sum a couple repair people have suggested just to get the meter fixed. I can always use my handheld meter which I like to play with anyway.

Cheers...and happy shooting1

Ron