Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1998/11/16

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Subject: RE: [Leica] M6 and water world
From: "Tim Atherton" <timphoto@nt.sympatico.ca>
Date: Mon, 16 Nov 1998 17:31:45 -0700

I believe not - but I may be wrong.

If this has really happened, I suggest you contact a repairer eg Sherry, or
leica ASAP (like get on the phone to them this minute!).

I recall reading that drying it out like that leads to rust and corroded
circuit boards etc.

BUT, CHECK FOR YOURSELF AS SOON AS YOU CAN - I MAY BE COMPLETELY WRONG.

Tim A

- -----Original Message-----
From: owner-leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us
[mailto:owner-leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us]On Behalf Of Francesco
Sent: November 16, 1998 5:10 PM
To: leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us; leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us
Subject: Re: [Leica] M6 and water world


Assume my M6 fell into a freshwater stream for a minute,
so it was completely soaked.  If I were to take off the lens,
open the back and set it in front of a heat lamp overnight,
would that be the proper way to dry it?  Would the meter
be useless afterwards?

Francesco





At 05:09 AM 11/16/98 , Walter S Delesandri wrote:
>Tina and Francesco:
>
>Hello.
>
>When I was learning camera repair, the old german I worked
>for used to clean mildew off the curtains of Leicas and Pentaxes
>(nearly identical material)  with a large medical swab (deluxe
>Q-tip) SOAKED with ammonia, water, and hydrogen peroxide (to kill
>the fungus that produces mildew). He would clean one curtain, then
>the other, rotating the drums as he went.   I 'bout crapped the
>first time I saw this!!
>
>They'd dry clean and looking virtually new.  When I got my
>mint- M4 after many years of storage, I did the same.  No
>problems with curtains in the last ten years.  (a bit of "worldly"
>wear, tho...)  In fact, after a cursory cleaning and routine
>maintenance, I've never thought about it again.  Check/tweek
>curtain tensions every few years, it keeps on going, like the
>bunny.....
>
>As Tina observed, tho, all bets are off with salt water!!
>
>The biggest fear about high humidity/water damage is the
>curtain take up springs.  If they were to deteriorate, it
>would be a monumental job (possibly uneconomical in the average
>M) to replace them.  Same with the pin that couples the
>supply side drums.  The only camera I ever had to send to
>Leitz for mechanical repair had this problem.  I didn't have
>the nerve!! some might.....
>
>Pretty damn good cameras, in spite of some funky design
>points!!
>
>Walt
>