Leica R3-Mot Mirror and Shutter Issue

christian.rudman · 08-24-2012

Ello,

After looking around as much as I could for info to diagnose and fix myself I am not having much luck on this camera, so I figured I would ask my RFF family for a nudge in the right direction.

Anyway, the issue is that the shutter and mirror work properly to start the exposure, but then never return until I switch the camera off. Everything seems to work in terms of the actions necessary for an exposure, but the exposure cycle never completes itself without switching off the camera. I paid very little for this camera, so if it is a fried mainboard or something, no big deal it will just sit on the shelf and look pretty with it's motorwinder and grip attached. I did want to fix it up if at all possible however.

So the camera's battery test is showing that at least the battery port is ok and the camera is receiving power. I cannot find a mechanical shutter speed on the Mot as I think this camera is wholly electronic (correct me please if I am wrong). I've done a few basic checks on the operations and I can't find anything yet. I was planning on opening the camera up and checking solder connections, but that's not going to happen still for a couple weeks.

Does anyone have any suggestions on where to start?

Landshark · 08-25-2012

General rule of thumb. "first, last and always check the batteries"
The BC in the camera may test good. BUT! That doesn't put a load on the batteries, it's just reading a surface voltage that will have enough V to release the shutter but not have enough oomph to finish the exposure

christian.rudman · 08-28-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by Landshark

General rule of thumb. "first, last and always check the batteries"
The BC in the camera may test good. BUT! That doesn't put a load on the batteries, it's just reading a surface voltage that will have enough V to release the shutter but not have enough oomph to finish the exposure

Thanks for that tip, but I did double check the battery power with a voltage meter and tried different batteries, nothing wrong on that end and it still is not working properly.

Next suggestion?

By the way, I'm not really needing a walk through tutorial on this (although that would be nice), I just want someone to point me to some good online resources particular to the diagnosis and repair of this camera. I can't find anything readily through Google searches (might just need better search terms), leica-users-forum, butkus, anything at this time. I just need a point in the right direction!

Thanks.

nobbylon · 08-28-2012

A post by tech Gus Lazzari on photo net

With all due respect, Stefan is in Germany, he certainly doesn't need to send it to the USA to obtain qualified service. It seems to me that he's just looking for a hint as to where he might begin his repair attempt.

If it was a battery conection problem it wouldn't have a correct meter and manual speeds. (Only X or B, all others would lock up mirror)
You state that the camera "is cosmetically almost perfect", so I'll rule out the possible shock or impact related items.
These R3 camera bodies have a ceramic main PCB (Printed circuit board) carefully hand soidered. Unless a prior tech induced a bad soider joint I'd rule it out to.
Bad or leaky capacitor & sticky electro magnet, would typically make manual timed shutter functions halt or also be sporatic.
An 'open' ASA rheostat can cause a no auto function. It is of a gold & glass construction, but then the meter wouldn't work, so it isn't that one.
The key, "sometimes it does not close it again". Guessing that Stefan means that the mirror stays locked up. This tells me that the Auto switchover has intermittent power. (Similar to low or no power to circuit) This switch portion needs to be carefully solvent washed. (Along with other sliding & blade type switches)

This I've diagnosed only with Stefan's short paragraph, along with my logic & experience; so of course I could be wrong.
Several of you R3 owners are waiting for some images of a torn down R3, which directs them to the "full advance rachet", (another forum thread) and now probably this A/M switchover componet. I'll find some time to do that and post the images. You know what they say about the worth of a picture...

regards john

christian.rudman · 08-28-2012

Thanks nobbylon!

I checked that out on photo.net and will be examining my R3 later on next week. I really appreciate the hint, exactly what I was needing. Now to find some disassembly diagrams!

nobbylon · 08-28-2012

try this,
http://books.google.nl/books?id=NSP6...0apart&f=false

I've been inside an R4 and it's a nightmare. Personally I'd send it to a Leica specialist.

christian.rudman · 08-28-2012

That's what I hear, but it was so damn cheap I cannot resist playing around inside of it a bit. It might break hearts to hear of a destroyed R3-MOT, but I will not have any problem shelving it if I cannot get it right. Thanks again for all your assistance, I really appreciate it.