Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1996/06/03
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]>I just noticed a rather large hole in the shutter curtain of my M3. Needless >to say, I was horrified at the discovery. In addtition, I suspect that it is >the result of a shoddy CLA job I had done a couple of years ago. Don't assume that the hole resulted from shoddy work. Because there is nothing between the lens and shutter on an M camera, it is possible to (inadvertently) _burn_ a hole in the shutter curtain if the lens is left pointing directly at the sun for a long period of time (just like a magnifying glass burning a hole in a piece of paper). The hole should not be a problem, even with an M3. I bought an M4 a few years ago which had a hole in one shutter curtain that had been patched with some sort of opaque compound. Although it functioned perfectly (and with no light leaks) in that condition, when the camera had a general check and overhaul earlier this year, I also decided to have that entire shutter curtain replaced; as Gang Huang has already responded, the same repair should also be possible on an M3. You might also consider sending the camera to an independent Leica repair specialist here in the Midwest, who did the above-mentioned M4 overhaul and shutter-curtain replacement and has an excellent reputation: DAG Camera Repair (Don A. Goldberg) 2451 Thatcher Lane McFarland, WI 53558 [just outside Madison, WI] tel: (608) 838-4769 Good luck! -- Nick ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Nicholas Hartmann hartmann@interaccess.com P.O. Box 1005 (708) 524-1191 Oak Park, IL 60304 USA fax (708) 524-1355 Technical and scientific translator: German, French, Italian -> English ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++