Leica Meter

Scheelings · 01-29-2012

I have an M3 which I'm finding frustrating to not be able to shoot. My Leicameter has stopped working. The battery is fine - I've checked the battery level, but the holding down the meter reading, won't move the needle.

Should I take this to the Leica store? How much can I expect it would cost to fix?

regards,

Jonathan

Phil_F_NM · 01-29-2012

Is it a Leica Meter MC or MR? If it's the MC the selenium cell may be dead. If it's the MR, you probably just need to clean the battery contacts as well as the contacts that the switch is attached to. While cleaning, you can also inspect the circuit board for any possible solder cracks which could be preventing the meter from working.
These are relatively easily taken apart and cleaned with a pencil eraser.
Good luck!

Phil Forrest

Scheelings · 01-30-2012

Its a Leica Meter MR. Are you sure I can just pull this thing apart? I've heard they're difficult to put back together again. Do you know of any user guide for this?

mooge · 01-30-2012

it's not too bad to disassemble if you have the right tools- you need to remove the two dot screw (or whatever it's called) over the dial with all the numbers on it, and under there are two more screws. remove those, remove the screws on the left side and then the top cover can come off, but you have to push in the battery check switch while lifting the cover off.

the two dot screw can be removed with a pair of tweezers and some force or some pliers if you have pointy ones.

under the exposure dials there are quite a few washers, try to remember the order they're in so that you can re-assemble the dials easily.
and mind the position of the high-low switch if you put it back together, it needs to align with a plastic bit un the meter body.

and an opinion: I think the MR meter is a kind of rubbish so unless you really like it, maybe getting a new(er) Voigtlander meter might be a okay idea if you can't repair the meter yourself.

good luck!

Beemermark · 01-30-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by mooge

it's not too bad to disassemble if you have the right tools- you need to remove the two dot screw

and an opinion: I think the MR meter is a kind of rubbish so unless you really like it, maybe getting a new(er) Voigtlander meter might be a okay idea if you can't repair the meter yourself.

good luck!

Bend a paper clip into a U with the ends the right distance apart to enter the holes. Hold the paper clip with a pair of pliers (small vise grips help) and un-screw it. The meters are really simple. I've fixed and calibrated a lot over the years and I have two left hands. The meter needle is very delicate and sometimes a little dirt gets in and it binds. The meter uses a rose-mount bridge which means it will self calibrate for a battery that doesn't have a constant voltage. You can adjust the reading for silver oxide batteries by using the little screw on the bottom of the meter.

I think MR meters are great. And yes, I have a Voigtlander for my IIIF. Works fine when it doesn't fall off. IMHO you're better off with a handheld meter then the Voigtlander. less fumbling around.

SolaresLarrave · 01-30-2012

I used to have two... and sold them badly to a store. I regret having done it, but then, they used to get wonky readings every so often and or die. I got a Sekonic L-208 for my medium format and now I use it with all my meterless cameras. Never a problem with the little thing... Get one yourself! The MR and the MC are nice machines, provided you don't use them a lot. Good for archeological purposes too... but not too resilient.

Take care and enjoy your M3 too!

mooge · 01-30-2012

about marring the top plate- you can raise the meter from the foot. loosen the three big screws, tighten the two little ones and then re-tighten the big screws. don't overtighten, the little screws press against the plastic base. check for levelness and adjust with the three screws. you could also use paper shims...

and for what it's worth, I use a Gossen lunasix; I've had it since I've started shooting and that's just how I'm used to doing things.

SolaresLarrave · 01-30-2012

The easiest way to avoid the terribly overrated meter marks is with a bit of felt applied to the bottom of the meter. Heck, a camera with meter marks is a camera with history; it has been used to take photographs, it has seen the world, it has probably more experience than its new owner!

EDIT: Yes, old MR and MC meters should be sent to George Milton in Quality Light Metric. He brings them back to life and also likes them a lot.

Vics · 01-30-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scheelings

I have an M3 which I'm finding frustrating to not be able to shoot. My Leicameter has stopped working. The battery is fine - I've checked the battery level, but the holding down the meter reading, won't move the needle.

Should I take this to the Leica store? How much can I expect it would cost to fix?

regards,

Jonathan

Don't stop shooting just because the meter quit! This is your oppotunity to learn to shoot by the Sunny 16 Method. Keep shooting!

philipus · 02-03-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vics

Don't stop shooting just because the meter quit! This is your oppotunity to learn to shoot by the Sunny 16 Method. Keep shooting!

Word.

Enjoy your new-found freedom!

anjoca76 · 03-22-2012

For the heck of it, I took a chance and bought two Leicameters recently from KEH, each less than $10. One is an MC and the other was an MR. The MC allegedly worked, and when I got it worked fine. The MR was in EX condition but supposedly inoperative, but I figured it was so cheap, it was worth a shot to see if I could bring it back to life by following the advice of other threads on this forum on how to repair the MR.

Turns out the MR only needed a battery! I popped in a wein cell battery and that was it, I had a perfectly functional vintage Leicameter for next to nothing ($7, if I recall). It's a smidge off, but easily adjusted by turning the ASA dial to compensate. The first couple days I kept double checking my readings against a handheld meter, but lo and behold the MR was always spot on.

So...if anyone is interested in a good Leicameter for cheap, maybe take a stab at one of KEH's inoperative MRs, pop in a battery, and see if it works. Obviously there's always a chance I simply lucked out, but $7 isn't a lot of money to take a chance on.

On a sorta side note, this week I picked up a Metraphot in good cosmetic and working condition for my iiic. It's says Metraphot instead of Leicameter on it, but as far as I can tell it's the exact same thing. Perhaps a collector might think it inferior, but to me it makes no difference. I'm happy to have it.

I like these old vintage light meters. They're cool little gadgets, and the ones that work are damn accurate too, even 50 or 60 years later!

anjoca76 · 03-22-2012

To each his own, I guess. I'm happy with what I have.

Quote:

Originally Posted by aperture64

Ditch it and buy a VC Meter II. I love mine.

zauhar · 03-22-2012

Send to George Milton at Quality Light Metrics. He will be able to repair it if possible, and if not may have another on hand to sell you as a replacement.

Randy

Beemermark · 03-22-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by anjoca76

Turns out the MR only needed a battery! I popped in a wein cell battery and that was it, I had a perfectly functional vintage Leicameter for next to nothing ($7, if I recall).

Try it with a regular SR44 silver oxide battery. You can adjust the reading with the screw on the bottom and since the internal circuitry has a rosette bridge, the meter will read correctly as the voltage decays.

I'm not when the change occurred, it may not work with the MR. It's worked with the half dozen or so MR-4 meters I've had.

The purpose of the Leica if fast, unobtrusive shooting. The MR meter couples to the shutter speed and it is extremely easy to glance at the meter, set the aperture and raise to your eye and shoot.

My first M6 was very disappointing because I was quicker with the M4 & MR-4 meter than I was with the blinking diodes.

I use a handheld meter, with my 5x7