I bought a rather worn M4 about a year ago which after substantial use is operating well. One thing that worries me is that when I use a heavy lens on it (Noctilux or 90mm f2)I sometimes find that the lens has slipped fom its locked position on the mount. I have nightmare visions of the lens ending up on the ground. However when I mount the lenses on the camera they do appear to lock properly, and when I apply light presure they stay locked in place. I guess that the bayonet lock needs slight adjustment.

Is there any easy fix for this that does not involve sending the camera away? (It is rather difficult to do where I live). Thanks in advance for your comments.

-- enrique munoz (enrique.munoz@ru.pwcglobal.com), June 20, 2001

Answers

A lens release guard from the M6 or M3 would solve that problem. I had them installed on my M2s and did not cost much. I am sure you can probably do it yourself once you get the parts which is just a small circular collar. I think all you have to do is cut away the vulcanite, so the collar sits flush and glue it with a strong adhesive. Like I said I did not do mine so it may be more complicated than it looks.

-- Steve LeHuray (icommag@toad.net), June 20, 2001.

Enrique, I had a similar problem a number of years ago with a M3. Dispite the collar around the lens release button, I would sometimes find the lens ready to fall off. My simple solution was to remove the button (M3 had a screw in the middle of the button), check that the tab was rectangular & not too worn smooth), stretch the spring a little, reassemble and very slightly bend tab up so it clearly engages lens. If I recall the M4 the button was very much the same without the collar.

-- Peter J. Hanlon (peter.hanlon@3web.net), June 20, 2001.

Thanks for the suggestions. Peter, my M4 lock release button has a screw, so I will attempt the adjustment you describe. Otherwise I will probably need to get the lens release guard that Steve suggests installed -I do not think I would risk doing it myself. Once again, thanks for your help.

-- enrique munoz (enrique.munoz@ru.pwcglobal.com), June 21, 2001.

I sold a Leica CL several years ago because, when holding the camera in shooting position, my second finger rested on the lens lock button. I inadvertantly unlocked the lens on several occasions, and once it nearly fell off.

-- Dave Jenkins (djphoto@vol.com), June 21, 2001.

I actually have not been able to work out whether I am pushing the lens release button inadvertently or if the lock is loose. I suspected the latter since it only happens with heavier lenses and not on my M6, but I now have doubts and will need to revisit my hand position when I shoot.

-- enrique munoz (enrique.munoz@ru.pwcglobal.com), June 21, 2001.