Disappearing light leak?

Horatio · Oct 11, 2020

I just processed the first roll of film from my 'new' Leica M3. There is a pronounced light leak in several frames early in the roll that appears randomly, but always on the right side of the image. It faded by the end of the roll.

From the end of the roll:

It's present in several frames in between these two, at different shutter speeds. Did the shutter just need 'exercise'? No idea when the camera was last used.

Anyone else have experience with this?

Donald Qualls · Oct 11, 2020

Second curtain is dragging or hitting something, and activity either wore away the drag a bit, or moved the "something" before end of the roll.

Huss · Oct 11, 2020

Donald Qualls said:
Second curtain is dragging or hitting something, and activity either wore away the drag a bit, or moved the "something" before end of the roll.

Yep.

What you could do is exercise the camera - by dry firing it - for a while and see if that then improves the situation. The obvious answer is it needs a little TLC. Or CLA..

Horatio · Oct 11, 2020

Huss said:
Yep.

What you could do is exercise the camera - by dry firing it - for a while and see if that then improves the situation. The obvious answer is it needs a little TLC. Or CLA..

Yep. I can see that coming. Do you think the KEH warranty would cover light leaks from the shutter?

shutterfinger · Oct 11, 2020

I suspect light seals as well.

Horatio · Oct 13, 2020

Got a RMA for repair, plus a shipping label, from KEH today. Now I just need to pack and ship.

Horatio · Oct 30, 2020

Got my 'baby' back today. KEH "performed full overhaul and clean and check to GWO." They also replaced the foam seals. Can I consider this a CLA?

I'll shoot a roll to confirm the leak is gone.

Anyway, I'm pleased with the quick turnaround.

Nitroplait · Nov 1, 2020

Horatio said:
Got my 'baby' back today. KEH "performed full overhaul and clean and check to GWO." They also replaced the foam seals. Can I consider this a CLA?

For a discussion of the CLA vs "overhaul" terminology take a look at this discussion: https://www.photrio.com/forum/threads/what-is-better-cla-or-overhaul.159307/
I would personally guess that KEH didn't do more than they thought necessary, regardless of words used - however, that may also be said of many repair techs that claims to do overhauls/CLAs.

Horatio · Nov 1, 2020

Nitroplait said:
For a discussion of the CLA vs "overhaul" terminology take a look at this discussion: https://www.photrio.com/forum/threads/what-is-better-cla-or-overhaul.159307/
I would personally guess that KEH didn't do more than they thought necessary, regardless of words used - however, that may also be said of many repair techs that claims to do overhauls/CLAs.

Thanks. I read that thread a few days ago. I don’t expect it to be like new (the top plate is still dented), but it seems overhauling includes replacing parts as needed, as well as clean, lube, adjust.

Disappearing light leak?

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