iiiF curtain replacemnet

vedmak · Aug 17, 2012

I would like to change curtains on my LTM iiiF, is there any guides, or helpful hints that anyone can offer? That is besides sending it to reputable repair shop

summicron1 · Aug 17, 2012

essex camera repair in new jersey could handle it easily ... google their web site. ur looking at a coupla hundred dollars, but well worth it.

leicarfcam · Aug 18, 2012

If you don't know what you are doing I would advise you send it out for repair. The closing curtain has to be aligned exactly right or 1000th cannot be adjusted. Lathe overlap also has to be properly measured and there are other areas that have to be right.. Also curtain overall length has to be exact as well as tape length..

If you don't have the tools to properly align you will end up with a non-working parts camera..but then I get to buy them cheap and fix them right..

vedmak · Aug 18, 2012

leicarfcam said:
If you don't know what you are doing I would advise you send it out for repair. The closing curtain has to be aligned exactly right or 1000th cannot be adjusted. Lathe overlap also has to be properly measured and there are other areas that have to be right.. Also curtain overall length has to be exact as well as tape length..

If you don't have the tools to properly align you will end up with a non-working parts camera..but then I get to buy them cheap and fix them right..

well, that was quite helpful, hinting that I am incapable of fixing it, any other bright ideas from your snobbish self?

vedmak · Aug 18, 2012

sometimes if you do not have anything to contribute, it is better to keep your "wise" suggestions to yourself

leicarfcam · Aug 18, 2012

vedmak said:
well, that was quite helpful, hinting that I am incapable of fixing it, any other bright ideas from your snobbish self?

Actually since I have worked on Leicas for many years and know how it is done I was trying to be helpful. I've seen too many fine Leicas destroyed by people who don't know what they are doing..

Do you know what material and what thickness is used to make new shutter curtains? or what lube to use where? or how many turns of the spring tensioning worm gear is too much? Do you have the proper tools? A good set of tools will cost you upwards of $1000 or more... If you use the wrong tools you'll cause expensive damage. Where do you get the replacement parts when you do damage them beyond use?

Since you have to ask you obviously don't know how to go about it and nothing snobbish is meant about my comments..

Next time you ask for help you should expect good advise...even if it isn't what you wanted to hear...

leicarfcam · Aug 18, 2012

vedmak said:
sometimes if you do not have anything to contribute, it is better to keep your "wise" suggestions to yourself

If you think you are capable here is a link to a downloadable .pdf on Leica repair. www.pentax-manuals.com/manuals/service/leica_iiif.pdf

Xmas · Aug 19, 2012

Hi

Try fabric paint first, the blinds do not have to look nice, the photos will be ok. If a ribbon has snapped then you need new blinds.

If you must fix it yourself, then a beater Fed I or Zorki I is a good training exercise. Then you can take take good photos with them while you have your IIIf in pieces, sell the little camera as a just serviced.

You will need to build a shutter tester to confirm that the gap in the blinds, is sufficiently uniform, this saves a lotta time, even if you can accept a lot of acceleration across the frame.

You will need to adjust the register to recollimate, and then the rangefinder, unless you are real lucky.

Google will get you all the detailed things you need to know.

I normally wheatstone a/each screw driver so it just it just fits each screw type, as damaged screw heads will put off customers. Take notes and photos as you strip. Dyson the work area before you start.

Noel

davela · Aug 20, 2012

I know you want to try and fix it yourself, which is admirable, but if you want an economical sure fire repair try Youxin Yee. He usually charges around $140 or so and does a great job. I've had even cheaper curtain replacement done locally by professionals (L.A. area), but Youxin is the man for me right now for most curtain work on bottom loaders! If you want to do it yourself I'd recommend trying to find a professional to provide advice and guidance, some amateurs have achieved this. There are some pretty good techs out there, but no one owns the scepter of knowledge.

Best of luck.

Bateleur · Aug 22, 2012

leicarfcam said:
If you think you are capable here is a link to a downloadable .pdf on Leica repair. www.pentax-manuals.com/manuals/service/leica_iiif.pdf

The "repair manual" makes for interesting reading, even so I would never attempt something like replacing the shutter curtains. My IIIf had its curtains and tapes replaced a few years ago by a professional here in the Netherlands the camera was returned feeling and working in a splendid state and is good for many years to come.

Craig Swensson · Aug 22, 2012

OR, we could assume we know nothing about the OP.
As far as I know he/she may be a bit younger than many of the camera repair guys
still operating.Perhaps the OP may one day become the goto person for repairs.
just thinking - which, incidently is a good start
In my culture we usually admire and support those willing to try things for themselves.

leicarfcam · Aug 24, 2012

Craig Swensson said:
OR, we could assume we know nothing about the OP.
As far as I know he/she may be a bit younger than many of the camera repair guys
still operating.Perhaps the OP may one day become the goto person for repairs.
just thinking - which, incidently is a good start
In my culture we usually admire and support those willing to try things for themselves.

This could be true but in business a person needs to know how to control his/her attitude when dealing with potential customers or people he/she does not agree with..

Craig Swensson · Aug 25, 2012

leicarfcam said:
If you don't know what you are doing I would advise you send it out for repair. The closing curtain has to be aligned exactly right or 1000th cannot be adjusted. Lathe overlap also has to be properly measured and there are other areas that have to be right.. Also curtain overall length has to be exact as well as tape length..

If you don't have the tools to properly align you will end up with a non-working parts camera..but then I get to buy them cheap and fix them right..

case over:munch:

iiiF curtain replacemnet

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