[Leica] Leicaflex Light Seals

[telyt at earthlink.net (Doug Herr)]

When a Leicaflex develops light leaks, the most likely suspect is the cotton
cord in the groove that the back's light baffles fit into.  The cord
probably has gotten compressed.

The fix is REALLY simple.  Go to a fabric store or a craft store and buy a
ball of Lily Cotton Co's "Sugar 'n Cream" brand 100% cotton crochet yarn,
black.  Lily's product code is CA00111, a lifetime supply cost me under
US$2.  Remove the old cord, using whatever works: fine tweezers, jeweler's
screwdriver, toothpick, whatever.  There are three sections, one along the
bottom and two along the top on either side of the film counter reset
button.

There might be some residual adhesive in the grooves; try scraping this out
with a wooden toothpick.  Not critical to get it all.  Cut the yarn to
length and press it into the grooves, anchoring the ends of the yarn with a
tiny dab of Pliobond or rubber cement.  Use the toothpick to put the cement
in the grooves, don't put the cement on the yarn.  Be sure the rubber cement
doesn't get into the film counter reset button.

It's best to let the cement cure before closing the camera's back 'cuz the
baffles at the hinge end tend to pull the shortest piece of yarn away from
the exposure counter reset button.

I put new seals in two cameras yesterday.  It's easy.

Doug Herr
Birdman of Sacramento
http://www.wildlightphoto.com