I have been a photographer for 22 years and Ihave worked and lived in spain, France and Canada where I reside now. I heard my father talk about Leica since I was five. It created this belief in my head and heart that although I could of purchased many Leicas during my life and career, I had to be good enough in order to deserve such a piece of history. Although I own and work with every other camera on the planet Hasselblad, Sinar, Linhof...., I never thought that I deserved it yet. My wife felt differently and she offered me a M4-2 in excellent condition. Of course there is no words to describe the feeling. I tried it out without film and everything was great, shutter release, crank, speeds. The camera was rehauled by the Leitz technician (so she was told). I stick in a roll of Tri-x urgently, crank, click, crank and blocked shutter release. I take out the film, crank, click, crank, click... The only way to release the shutter with film in the camera is to crank and hold the crank lever with the thumb while you press on the shutter release that finally gives in but with some effort. Of course I called the Leitz technician but he is not to sure. I wonder if by any chance you have heard of such a problem. And if you did could it be serious? I have the possibility to give back the camera and get a new M6, however I always believed that you can make better soups in pots with a history.( that is if the pot does not have a hole in it of course.) Any ideas and or suggestions? Thanks.

-- Daniel (malkafoto@home.com), September 04, 2001

Answers

Unfortunately I have encountered a lot of problems with older Leicas such as you describe--more than with other classic cameras such as Nikons and Hassys. The film transport and shutter seem to be especially prone to difficulties. I doubt if the problem will simply clear itself up, so it sounds like you need to send the camera to Leica.

-- Peter Hughes (ravenart@pacbell.net), September 04, 2001.

I can't help you with a technical explanation, but the camera should be returned at once for refund or repair. Who is the "Leitz technician," and why should he not be too sure? Finally, if you're going to use it, then you deserve it.

-- Phil Stiles (Stiles@metrocast.net), September 04, 2001.

The only time this has happened to me (M4-2/M4-P) was when I misloaded the film and the edge of the film dropped into the shutter opening, blocking the shutter curtains. Your problem sounds subtley different.

I would call this a SERIOUS problem....you should never have to hold the crank out and force anything to get the shutter to fire (see question below about FORCING anything on any camera).

Are you sure you're loading the film correctly? If you are winding WITHOUT the bottom plate on, you are short-circuiting the Leica's autoload features, which can cause the kind of film jam I had.

-- Andy Piper (apidens@denver.infi.net), September 04, 2001.

Was your camera purchased recently? If it was, I think it would be a good idea to take it back to the dealer or person from whom it was pruchased. If, on the other hand, it was not recently purchased, you need to have a different Leica repair person evaluate the camera.What legitimate Leica repair person "isn't sure"? That person needs to check around the shop and talk with other technicians and get a second opinion. I do it all the time with my job. Ask a more experienced person, and like that. Good luck!

-- John Alfred Tropiano (jat18@psu.edu), September 07, 2001.