CLA'd IIIf rd/st is dead.

SteveM(PA) · 04-08-2006

Having had an extra crappy week in my gray cubicle, how I looked forward to a relaxing barnack sojourn this weekend. Not to be. After two rolls, my winding knob is twisting on and on...the shutter is stuck. I had sent the camera/coll. 'cron to Youxin, maybe a month ago. The camera had a sticky 1000 and a dim finder, but beautiful otherwise. 'Cron had to go back a second time, had arrived to me stiffer than before. The 'cron is now back, a little looser. Youxin says the flange is bent slightly, probably a result of a drop at some point over the past 50 years. But now I wanted to try out the whole kit, plus at long last I got a SOOKY to try on it

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I don't know, my friends. Youxin says he is getting away from barnacks, has sold most of his barnack parts, to concentrate on M's, because he finds them more challenging. He recommended I go to DAG in the future if i needed a complex barnack repair. But he wants to take my camera back to fix whatever is wrong. I'm not one to make stinks about stuff like this. It could not be any more of a leisurely thing for me, and i know my dear camera is very old. But it is going back to Boston on monday and I'll miss it. Really wanted it for the Easter holidays. I do have a working Fed 3b/J3 and an XA. So I'll dry my baby tears.

Kin Lau · 04-08-2006

Dumb question: you're sure it's not stuck on rewind? That's exactly what my IIIa does with the lever in R. Maybe try moving it back and forth a few times.

SteveM(PA) · 04-08-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kin Lau

Dumb question: you're sure it's not stuck on rewind? That's exactly what my IIIa does with the lever in R. Maybe try moving it back and forth a few times.

Thanks Kin. I don't think that is the case. I've moved the lever back and forth many times, and the shutter is cocking about every 10 winds. On those occasions it will sometimes fire if I give the winding knob a healthy nudge. Most times not though...knob is winding/shutter release raises. Push release. Nothing. *le sigh*

Graybeard · 04-09-2006

DAG and John Maddox Have fine reputations for service on Barnack Leicas and are the preferred places to go.

I've had to return cameras to both Brinkman and Essex camera Service when the returned camera didn't work properly right out of the box.

SteveM(PA) · 04-09-2006

I will use one of those two specialists next time

Gabriel M.A. · 04-09-2006

Really sorry to hear about that, Steve.

But, yes: DAG. I've never ever had an issue with his work. Absolutely professional, he knows his stuff.

SteveM(PA) · 04-09-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by gabrielma

Really sorry to hear about that, Steve.

But, yes: DAG. I've never ever had an issue with his work. Absolutely professional, he knows his stuff.

Thanks Gabriel. My two shorties were very sick this weekend anyhow, so that was the weekend focus. Better times, better shooting ahead, I'm sure.

ffttklackdedeng · 04-10-2006

Oh, I know how you feel, Steve. I've had the same behaviour shortly after my IIIf was serviced, only that it tensioned the shutter on every second frame. Talking with my repair person I was told that it is a very tiny mis-alignment of the second shutter curtain's brake and a matter of a very small re-adjustment. Sent it back to him an got it the same week back. I don't know how long a mail turnaround to Boston takes, but maybe.. Good luck!

Regards,
Robert

SteveM(PA) · 04-16-2006

Just wanted to provide an update, should it prove helpful to anyone getting a barnack CLA. Youxin told me that the light baffle came unglued from the light shield and had jammed my shutter. He says this is not a common problem, but does happen occasionally. The repair required the complete disassembly of the camera, and the cost of this repair will not be included in my recent CLA (another $55 including shipping).
If the possibility of an unglued light baffle exists, I wonder why this isn't a standard check on a CLA when everything is apart to begin with? I would think just a little tug would be enough to determine the bond was failing. Regardless, next time I get a CLA, I guess I will just tell the technician to make sure to reglue the light baffle.

kabkos · 04-17-2006

The light baffle can get hung up when loading film. As you load film, the pressure plate prevents the film from completely going all of the way down (which is why the film leader is cut so that the film can be pulled across the pressure plate). If the film hangs up and you wind the film, the shutter curtain bar can catch on the felt baffle material and pull it off. A gentle tug by the camera technician on the baffle material will not tell if the material is going to be yanked off by the shutter curtain bar (which in winding has alot more tug than a gentle tug does). This is why I load the film with the shutter on "T" and my thumb to guide the film all of the way in (I push on the film and pressure plate as I slide the film in place).
karl

SteveM(PA) · 04-17-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by kabkos

The light baffle can get hung up when loading film. As you load film, the pressure plate prevents the film from completely going all of the way down (which is why the film leader is cut so that the film can be pulled across the pressure plate). If the film hangs up and you wind the film, the shutter curtain bar can catch on the felt baffle material and pull it off. A gentle tug by the camera technician on the baffle material will not tell if the material is going to be yanked off by the shutter curtain bar (which in winding has alot more tug than a gentle tug does). This is why I load the film with the shutter on "T" and my thumb to guide the film all of the way in (I push on the film and pressure plate as I slide the film in place).
karl

I use "T" mode load as well...but I'm sure I could be gentler with the baffle area, I've gotten hung up a few times. I will go a little slower and press a little harder on the pressure plate as a habit now. Thanks for the info karl.

SteveM(PA) · 04-21-2006

I have my camera back now for the 2nd time. Maybe I'm wrong, but the slow speeds (front dial) aren't supposed to engage unless the top dial is set to 25, correct? It seems that my "2" and "15" speeds are engaging, when set to those respective speeds, no matter what my top dial is set at, but all other speeds on the front dial are deferring, correctly, to what is set on the top dial. And my winding knob now has a slight "catch" to it, just before it is fully cocked. The smoothness it once had is gone. I think I need a vicadin.

gregarpp · 04-21-2006

Anyone have a standard turn around time for DAG?
I sent him a bunch of stuff... and it has been a few weeks. maybe 3
I haven't gotten a quote on the repairs yet..

I was just curious, I didn't want to be a pest by e-mailing him.

raid · 04-29-2006

Don takes his time and he is very busy. It may take 2-3 months.

erikhaugsby · 04-29-2006

I sent my M2 off to him a week ago for a nice CLA, he quoted it to be $290 and shouldn't take more than four weeks.

I'm going crazy already, wanting it back to shoot with.

gregarpp · 04-29-2006

I sent him a large box of items.
Multiple cameras and lenses..
He replied with a quote for repair - 1 month later.
Now I have OK'd the repairs... more time to wait.