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Nikos
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, November 07, 2005 - 08:06 pm: | 
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Hello everybody,
I am new in this forum and I need some help with a Leica R3. Trying to repair an apparently defective light meter mechanism I discovered that the culprit is the diaphragm ring (called so in the factory repair manual--PN 042-810.016-010). Somebody “repaired” this camera and installed the wrong diaphragm ring. The diaphragm ring has two tangs. One, points towards the mirror box and restricts the circular travel of the diaphragm ring to an arc of about 80 degrees by hitting appropriate stops located right and left of the midline. The other tang engages with the cam of the lens so the lens aperture information is conveyed to the ASA wiper cluster. Neither of the two tangs contacts its target with obvious results (dislocation of the “chord”, and inability to use the lens as designed). The lens I am testing the camera with is a Summicron 2/50 third cam lens. I can probably graft a T shaped tang to replace the lens engaging tang (the other one I have bent to good effect) but I would like to avoid this time consuming and eye straining exercise. My question is; how can I get a replacement ring? The Leica USA does not seem promising (I have not contacted them yet) but even if they were willing to sell me the part I would like to avoid them if at all possible.
Thank you all,
Nikos |
rick
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, November 07, 2005 - 09:50 pm: |
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Why do you want to avoid Leica USA? I've never bought anything but replacement M leather from them, but they've seemed like OK people. The part might be expensive, but they might fool you: I was surprised to learn that Nikon parts were cheaper than, for instance, Konica. Cannibalizing an R3 to get a lens ring is not going to be cheap. |
Aaron
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, November 08, 2005 - 12:26 am: |
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Is it possible that the diaphragm ring is just installed the wrong way round? |
Nikos
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, November 08, 2005 - 07:56 am: |
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No, the diaphragm ring's anatomy is such that it cannot be installed the wrong way. Besides, I have a second R3 for comparison so I know the ring is installed the right way and it is the wrong part. Anytime I work on a camera I am not familiar with I make sure I have a second body available so I can refer to it if I get into trouble. |
Henry
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, November 08, 2005 - 08:21 am: |
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Like to add my THREE cents worth...
First cent, Leica USA sent me a copy of the R3 schematic for free. They wouldn't sell me the entire manual (said Leica Germany wouldn't allow it unless I was "in the business", but I got one somewhere else anyway!) but they were very helpful otherwise. And they claimed they had R3 parts in stock.
Second cent, it might be that the previous repairer installed the ring from a Minolta XE...from what I can see they look a bit different.
Third and last penny, I, just yesterday, stumbled upon a partially disassembled (read cheap and not all there) R3. I might be persuaded out of a ring.
Henry |
Glenn Middleton
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, November 08, 2005 - 08:29 am: |
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Cannot understand why you do not purchase the part from Leica. Here in UK I have always received prompt help from the UK setup. As Rick says R Series parts bodies are not cheap and the ones I have seen looked to be repairable, in the right hands.
I always approach the Official importer first, Have had some very pleasant surprises; in both quantity of parts supplied and the cost.
The other route is to find an independent 'Leica Specialist' I know of a couple in UK, there must be some in your neck of the woods. |
Nikos
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, November 08, 2005 - 05:06 pm: |
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I thank every one for his contribution. I called today Leica USA and ordered the part. The procedure was fast, easy, and painless. My prejudice against them was totally unwarranted.
Henry, thank you. Of course, I am fully aware of your literary possessions regarding R3 repair manuals. I have been researching the possibility of getting a repair manual for a long time, and I have gone through all the threads in this forum that concern the Leica R3. I also got, eventually, a copy of the original manual “elsewhere”.
No, the diaphragm ring does not come from a Minolta. How do I know? But I have the Minolta manual which I initially got as a substitute for the real thing.
Thank you for your offer. I ordered the part already but who knows. I will probably be coming back for help since the camera I am now working on is a 50 dollar camera that I bought on Ebay so I could practice on it before attacking my Safari R3 (bought in 1981, never used and now blocked). After a new set of batteries the 50 dollar camera body proved fully functional and that’s why I am replacing the ring. |
Henry
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, November 09, 2005 - 10:17 am: |
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Wow, a working R3 for 50 bucks. I like those kinds of deals! But I now have some parts just in case. I'm sending a spring and maybe the prism to a friend in Argentina. Lot's of parts will be left. All of my R3's currently work. A month or two ago I saw this absolutely pristine R3mot going cheap on ebay...and couldn't resist. It was $150 including shipping...BUT IT LOOKS BRAND SPANKING NEW. No fooling.
Hey, maybe I'll put the covers of the junker R3 on my working but ragged looking XE-7. A Leica that uses Minolta lenses! :-)
And concerning my R3 service manual. I bought it from NikonDave on ebay. A real nice guy that provides a VERY nice (read looks original) manual for $39 counting shipping. It is pricey but once you compare it to, say a Romney reprint, you'll think it money well spent. In fact I have a couple original factory manuals (different mfg'r) that aren't printed as well or on as good a grade of paper.
Never thought I'd be a commercial for someone selling manual reprints. But these were not the trash others sell. And, as far as I know, are available no other place. I forget NikonDave's last name (no, we are not friends and I have no vested interest in his business), in fact he told me selling manuals on ebay is his full time job. Sells more than just camera manuals...jukeboxes, car, motorcycles, etc.
I have bought three Leica service manuals from NikonDave, because Leica refused to sell them to me. And all for the same $4 shipping. I am just a satified customer. Each manual was over 120 pages.
I think he only provides paper manuals.
Henry |
Nikos
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, November 09, 2005 - 08:40 pm: |
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NikonDave, yes. That's the man. |
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