Camera Labs

I was playing with a very old mint condition Leica M3 (The 2 winding one). I snapped a picture with no film in the camera, turned the lever twice, and tried again. After I tried a few times, it suddenly stopped snapping. I couldn't press the shutter down! I was very confused...

Anyways, I tried to fire off the timer, and it made a clicking noise, but I'm not sure if it was the shutter. I really don't want a Leica to be broken, it's such a good camera!

Anyways, I know that the majority of you don't own an M3, not even a Leica for that matter. But ANY help would be appreciated! I'm devastated!

Thanks for your help!

-Evan

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-Evan

Gear: 7 Nikon Nikkor AI-S and AF-S lenses, SB-700 flash, Nikon D7000, Nikon FM, variety of accessories

"There are no rules for good photographs, there are only good photographs."
- Ansel Adams

Are you aware of the fact that Leica still repairs cameras like the M3? It might cost a bit of money, but you can be sure they'll fix it.

Here's more information on that, if you hadn't found it already:
http://en.leica-camera.com/service/service_and_repair/

I have a similar problem with an oldie my mom bought for decoration purposes, which isn't a Leica by the way. It uses a little switch to expose the film, and makes a nice silent click when opening. After firing a shot or three, however, it stops working. I'd say it's because the camera is so old, but it might be fixable. Especially on a Leica M3.
Fix for the shutter button on my old camera is to set the only other switch (there's only two ) from 'normal' to 'bright light' and then back again...

- Bjorn -

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Street and documentary photographer | Google+ | Twitter | Tumblr

Leica M9-P (my article on Camera Labs) | Leica D-Lux 5 | 50mm Summilux

Maybe the shutter is stuck and it's ball bearings need to be lubricated.

Hi

If I needed to get it repaired by Leica, any estimations on how much it would cost? I really don't want to spend a lot...

Thanks!

_________________
-Evan

Gear: 7 Nikon Nikkor AI-S and AF-S lenses, SB-700 flash, Nikon D7000, Nikon FM, variety of accessories

"There are no rules for good photographs, there are only good photographs."
- Ansel Adams

Remove the back and camera spool, and slowly turn the film advance wheel inside the camera whilst pressing the shutter button.

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Mark Osborne
My life through an iPhone

although we could have discussed this in a film cameras section

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Mark Osborne
My life through an iPhone

Haha, so true!

It's been sent in to fix, I think that it will sell for more in working condition (Even though it costs $200 to fix) than for parts.

_________________
-Evan

Gear: 7 Nikon Nikkor AI-S and AF-S lenses, SB-700 flash, Nikon D7000, Nikon FM, variety of accessories

"There are no rules for good photographs, there are only good photographs."
- Ansel Adams

You could also visit the RFF (http://www.rangefinderforum.com), and see if anybody of the regulars can help you. People there can also help you looking for other places to get your leica repaired.

OH man, that sounds pants. I'd love an M3 but yeah suggestions above are a good start. I would like that rangefinder website more but it's so dark and unfriendly, plus it's also horribly set out. It just puts me off.