LEICA - leica barnack shutter curtains

Comprehensive practical guide to replacing focal plane shutter curtains in screw-mount Leica cameras, covering models from the A series through the IIIf, as well as early Canon models. Authored by Christopher Kuni, an experienced camera restorer, this document presents an innovative in-camera replacement method using double-sided tape to achieve precise positioning of curtains and tapes before permanent cement attachment. The guide compares two primary approaches: replacement with components removed from the camera and the in-camera method that provides superior adjustment accuracy. It furnishes representative dimensions for curtains and tapes (Figure 1), explains how to scribe a meridian reference line on the shutter drum, and details sequential installation steps. Coverage includes material preparation, use of improvised tools such as a device fashioned from a business card, and techniques for wrapping curtains around the drum within the confined camera interior. Revised edition from November 2009, featuring detailed photographs of Leica IIIa and IIIf models undergoing curtain replacement, along with bibliographic references for deeper study of Leica shutter mechanisms and repair methodology.