Leica 111f film advance malfunction

Eugene B. · Sep 4, 2019

Help! This camera works - except for the fact that the film has decided it no longer wants to advance despite being firmly attached to the take-up spool. I think that that the spool must be slipping on the film advance spindle.
What to do?
Eugene B.

StepheKoontz · Sep 4, 2019

I had a IIIc where the film advance spool quit turning correctly and there was a screw under the advance knob that had backed out. Unfortunately the f model has the film reminder thing built into knob, which makes removing the knob trickier. I highly recommend Youxin Ye for repairs, it might be time for a good CLA anyway?

AgX · Sep 4, 2019

Leica 111 ... I had to google to find out about that model.

Just to realize it was the old source of error by latin and arabic figures...

awty · Sep 4, 2019

When you take the bottom off does the the take up spool rotate when you turn the film advance knob? Think you need to do a little more investigating and tell us whats turning what isnt, that will narrow the field.

Eugene B. · Sep 5, 2019

awty said:
When you take the bottom off does the the take up spool rotate when you turn the film advance knob? Think you need to do a little more investigating and tell us whats turning what isnt, that will narrow the field.

Well Paul, everything turns with no film in the camera. The shutter works, both the take-up spool and the take-up spindle revolve with no film in the camera. The film however, prevents the spool but not the spindle from turning. By applying finger pressure to the spool I can feel it slipping as I rotate the film advance knob. Could it be that the inner surface of the spool is worn?
Thats as clear as I can make it!
Thanks
Eugene B.

BradS · Sep 5, 2019

the little lever on the top, near the film advance knob, is pointing at the "A"...not the "R"...right?

awty · Sep 5, 2019

The film advance sprocket should pull the film onto the film spool, you can still turn the spool. The lever that unlocks the advance sprocket, locks the film advance knob when on R, so you cant turn. With the spool out you should see all the cogs turning together, if you put your finger on the film advance sprocket, can you still turn the film advance knob? Just make sure the film advance knob is not slipping. Doesnt sound like anything easily fixed, best to send it to an expert.
You have tried different films to make sure its not just a problem with the film?

Eugene B. · Sep 6, 2019

awty said:
The film advance sprocket should pull the film onto the film spool, you can still turn the spool. The lever that unlocks the advance sprocket, locks the film advance knob when on R, so you cant turn. With the spool out you should see all the cogs turning together, if you put your finger on the film advance sprocket, can you still turn the film advance knob? Just make sure the film advance knob is not slipping. Doesnt sound like anything easily fixed, best to send it to an expert.
You have tried different films to make sure its not just a problem with the film?

I think that the problem is that the film spool is slipping on its spindle. When I turn the advance knob while pressing on the spool the spool slips on the spindle. Do you know if Leica film spools are subject to wear?. You're probably right about the camera needing attention - it needs a CLA at least.
Thanks again
Eugene B.

Eugene B. · Sep 6, 2019

BradS said:
the little lever on the top, near the film advance knob, is pointing at the "A"...not the "R"...right?

Correct!

guangong · Sep 6, 2019

I had similar problem with IIIf recently. My own fixes failed. Sent yo Youxin. The fault turned out to be in shutter curtains. I agree, time for a CLA. Earlier, I had a IIIc where advance behaved in a similar way, but problem was the little screw in wind knob. Sent off to Youxin. These cameras do need a CLA every 30-40 years. Cleaning greatly improved rangefinder window.

awty · Sep 7, 2019

Eugene B. said:
I think that the problem is that the film spool is slipping on its spindle. When I turn the advance knob while pressing on the spool the spool slips on the spindle. Do you know if Leica film spools are subject to wear?. You're probably right about the camera needing attention - it needs a CLA at least.
Thanks again
Eugene B.

With the bottom off the camera you should be able to see the take up spool slipping when turning the advance knob. Could just be the little screw that holds the advance knob on has become lose and is slipping, as per guagongs post.

Leica 111f film advance malfunction

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