Last week I purchased a Leica M4 in seemingly Ex condition for $800 delivered. Tomorrow I will be mailing it back to the seller. Today I was starting to do a meter check on it comparing it to my other M4 that was serviced by DAG. I shot a roll of film on my tripod mounted, DAG serviced, M4 for a comparison. I then mounted this newly acquired M4 on the tripod using an ARCA SWISS type quick release plate. The camera rocked back and forth,(front to back) when mounted on the tripod. The camera body above the baseplate was not holding tight to the baseplate. I did check to make sure it was properly attached, and it was. Anyone else ever have this problem? :-(

-- ron snyder (studio1401@aol.com), January 20, 2002

Answers

Seems unusual. Are the locating studs in the body loose? Have you tried tightening the screw retaining the latch (inside the baseplate)?

-- Giles Poilu (giles@monpoilu.icom43.net), January 20, 2002.

I have never handled an M with a wobbly baseplate but I suppose nothing is impossible, after all we're dealing with 30-40 year old equipment no matter how well-made it is someone can have found a way to abuse it beyond its limits of strength. Hopefully you can get your money refunded. BTW you would also have probably been extremely disappointed with the results of your meter check, on both M4 bodies since the M4's don't have meters:>(

-- Jay (infinitydt@aol.com), January 20, 2002.

Sorry I wasn't clear on how I was comparing the meters. What I meant to say was "comparing the exposures using a handheld Minolta IV F meter" to make sure the shutter speeds and on-film exposures matched the other camera. I was following your advise, Jay, that you gave me last week on how best to do this. I had posted a question last week regarding when to know if servicing is needed or not. Thanks Jay for the tip. :-)

-- ron snyder (studio1401@aol.com), January 20, 2002.

My M4-2 base has always been wobbly. I checked everything, and it was all OK, and then promptly forgot about it until now (including forgetting last year, when I sent it to DAG.) I haven't really seen any way to tighten it up, except bending something, which, given that it isn't being a problem, I haven't done. Since you're holding two identical cameras, why not switch the baseplates, and tell us if the problem follows the base or the body--then maybe I'll have an idea of what I should bend on my camera. :-)

-- Michael Darnton (mdarnton@hotmail.com), January 20, 2002.

Ron, I was just funnin' with you!

-- Jay (infinitydt@aol.com), January 20, 2002.

Dear Ron: Beware of all mail order sellers and ebay!!!

-- Albert Knapp MD (albertknappmd@mac.com), January 20, 2002.

It is possible to get a replacement base plate in that case from DAG?

-- Alfie Wang (leica_phile@hotmail.com), January 20, 2002.

On the body the part that the baseplate latches to has shims under it to adjust the baseplate fit. Remove the baseplate and remove the cover with the film loading diagram on it. The latch plate and shims are now exposed. A very simple adjustment if everything else is fine.

-- John Collier (jbcollier@powersurfr.com), January 20, 2002.

John:

Thank-you. One of my M3's has a similar problem that I had forgotten about.

-- M. A. Johnson (logical1@catholic.org), January 20, 2002.

When searching the market for a used Leica M about 6-7 months ago, I came across a few samples which appearently was dropped and had taken the impact on the lower rounded part of the body where the baseplate is attached, causing a very slight dent (maybe .5~1 mm) inwards on both the body and the baseplate. I imagine that if such a camera has its baseplate replaced, there would be a little room for flexing/rocking. A new baseplate may therefore not be the answer, but rather some sort of bodywork to bring it back to its original shape.

-- Niels H. S. Nielsen (nhsn@ruc.dk), January 21, 2002.

I shoot mainly with a tripod mounted camera, & this rocking motion is totally unexceptable as the camera can not be locked down tightly. After composing the picture, I tighten the ballhead. After tightening the ballhead I release my grip on the camera. The front of the camera then drops 1/4" due to the loose baseplate. This is not exceptable. If I were shooting handheld this would not be as big a deal. I do however, thank you many good people for your comments and thoughts. Maybe I'll try another body. :-)

-- Ron Snyder (STUDIO1401@AOL.COM), January 21, 2002.