M3 light leak

[Makis]

Hello everybody.
I am a happy owner of an M3, very good condition (old 752XXX serial).
A week ago I put a 400 ASA film and left the camera without a lens on a tripod facing a window for 10 minutes or so (shutter closed). I developed the film and saw some light leak at the upper and lower limits of the frame (extending some 2-3 mm inside the frame, fading towards the centre).I tried again with a 50 summicron with similar results (much less leak but still there, at same positions). I returned the camera to the Leica representative here in Athens and, after testing, they answered that nothing is wrong and this is normal. How much light leak from the shutter edges is consiidered normal? Does anyone know? Any similar tests and opinions?
Thanx.

[normclarke]

Hi,
Your description of the problem points to either curtain curl or the light traps are leaking. The camera would surely need a new set of shutter curtains and/or the light traps on the shroud that sits directly above the shutter, especially at the age of your body!

Cheers,

normclarke.

[Vickko]

No amount of light leak is normal. There are felt light traps around the top and bottom that might be leaking. On old M3's, they are notorious for falling out and jamming the shutter. There is also a fabric light trap at the top of the back door, it might be dried out and leaking light.

Go to another Leica service person.

...Vick

[Makis]

Thanks a lot for the fast answers. I will check it out.

[Benjamin]

This pretty clearly shows why it is a bad idea to change lenses with the shutter facing a light source.

Benjamin