Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2001/09/20
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Mark, The ST also has a ceramic pressure plate. It's like the RTSIII only it lacks the vacuum system. Contax put out some literature that really promoted the ceramic pressure plate. It doesn't expand or contract when the temperature fluctuates. At least not as much as metal. It remains extremely flat under all conditions, and in theory holds the film flatter. I don't know how big of a deal this is in the overall scheme of things, but I know Contax did quite a bit of research which proved it can make a difference with high quality lenses and certain films. Regarding the glass pressure plate in the M3. The glass plate was also known to potentially cause problems with static electricity when rewinding film. That's one reason it was replaced with metal. My M3 is a very early model. It has a glass pressure plate. I've never had a problem with static electricity. But I rewind the film slowly. Dave - -----Original Message----- From: Mark Rabiner [mailto:mark@rabiner.cncoffice.com] Sent: Thursday, September 20, 2001 11:28 AM To: leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us Subject: Re: [Leica] Ceramic Pressure Plate John Collier wrote: > > The glass pressure plate is only desirable to collectors. It makes no > difference in actual use other than the glass pressure plate would be more > susceptible to impact damage. The pressure plate was changed to metal in > 1957 from 844 001 and up. > > John Collier > I'd think Ceramics would have a Teflon effect and could be made more flat. Me I'm fascinated by industrial Ceramics and their uses. Does not Contax use them for one of their pressure plates? The RTS III? Naturally I'd be cheaper not us use them and the results would be inconsequential. I'd also love it if the shutter were made of silk again but the polyester is thought to be an improvement. I find the thought of shooting with a silk shutter VERY appealing... ...especially with a ceramic plate behind it! Results are one thing. But there is also how i feel. How wide is my smile when shooting the camera. Mark Rabiner Portland, Oregon USA http://www.rabiner.cncoffice.com/ - -- To unsubscribe, see http://mejac.palo-alto.ca.us/leica-users/unsub.html - -- To unsubscribe, see http://mejac.palo-alto.ca.us/leica-users/unsub.html