Is learning to fix Leicameter MR-4s daunting?

[Certain Exposures]

How difficult is this in your experience? What's the approach someone with zero experience would need to take to learn how to understand how one works and fix it?

Someone was kind enough to loan me a Leicameter MR4 indefinitely. I love this thing. I am looking for a backup one now because it is so old and temperamental - preferably a black one to tell the two apart at a glance. These meters are often listed at near $200 without a guarantee if they work.

I have tried other meters and I know the Sunny 16 rule. I still like this one.

 

[4season]

I don't have experience with that particular device, but in general, analog light meters are simple devices. Here's a teardown guide for the MR4:

https://feuerbacher.net/photo/repair/Leicameter/Leicameter.html

Besides battery damage, common faults include defective CdS photocells and galvanometer coils which have gone open-circuit. In the latter instance, the easiest remedy is to replace the galvanometer with a working unit taken from another MR4.

 

[ic-racer]

Probably the most important item for exposure meter repair is a calibrated light source.

 

[Certain Exposures]

I don't have experience with that particular device, but in general, analog light meters are simple devices. Here's a teardown guide for the MR4:

https://feuerbacher.net/photo/repair/Leicameter/Leicameter.html

Besides battery damage, common faults include defective CdS photocells and galvanometer coils which have gone open-circuit. In the latter instance, the easiest remedy is to replace the galvanometer with a working unit taken from another MR4.

Thanks! I''ll have to do some research on what you're talking about in the last two lines there.

Probably the most important item for exposure meter repair is a calibrated light source.

Any recommendations? Would a continuous light like an Aperture work?

 

[eli griggs]

I have one that works on the right batteries, but, the battery door is broken off and I have yet to find a spare for parts.

It’ll be just right for my CL, when fixed.

 

[eli griggs]

It fits the flash hot/cold shoe. Analog, not digital.

 

[beemermark]

I have a box of Leica MR-4 meters. When I was younger, and having no particular skill, I used to repair them all the time. Then I inherited Essential Tremors and can't do any fine motion control work. Bottom line most of them are easy to repair. Can't remember the failure but it wasn't catastrophic. Remove the top, take a look, easy 10 minute fix it, put it back together. All that said I do have one back meter working fine with a mercury battery replacement and one repaired and converted to modern batteries by DAG. So PM if you want to buy one (I still have a third for my M4). IMHO best meter ever for the M camera series.

BTW DAG only charges $100 for repair and battery upgrade.

 

[Certain Exposures]

I have one that works on the right batteries, but, the battery door is broken off and I have yet to find a spare for parts.

It’ll be just right for my CL, when fixed.

I'm sure you'll run into one soon enough. Good luck with the search.

I have a box of Leica MR-4 meters. When I was younger, and having no particular skill, I used to repair them all the time. Then I inherited Essential Tremors and can't do any fine motion control work. Bottom line most of them are easy to repair. Can't remember the failure but it wasn't catastrophic. Remove the top, take a look, easy 10 minute fix it, put it back together. All that said I do have one back meter working fine with a mercury battery replacement and one repaired and converted to modern batteries by DAG. So PM if you want to buy one (I still have a third for my M4). IMHO best meter ever for the M camera series.

BTW DAG only charges $100 for repair and battery upgrade.

Were you able to calibrate them as a part of your repair process? Meters may respond to light with the proper batteries but provide inaccurate readings. Also, sorry about the tremors. That must get frustrating.

 

[beemermark]

Never had to calibrate a MR-4. They either work or they don’t. Wish I could find that box of parts. Hope i didn’t pitch them.

 

[pentaxuser]

Never had to calibrate a MR-4. They either work or they don’t. Wish I could find that box of parts. Hope i didn’t pitch them.

I don't know where you are located but given your unfortunate condition with Essential Tremors perhaps you might consider contacting the OP with a view to sending him that box of parts so he can learn to effect repairs

Just a thought

pentaxuser

 

[Certain Exposures]

Beemermark might want to keep those parts safe until I prove I am not a klutz. I manufactured my own misfortune for a screen repair that was going great at first (there was a bit of bad luck). Now, I am a parts hunter.

 

[skahde]

I had one recently working but indicating two stops low on various kinds of power-sources. Send it to Knoch and havent heard of it since.

 

[Certain Exposures]

@skahde Do you mean that Knoch stole your light meter?