Maintenance Tips For Your Leica Camera And Lenses - Leica MP Bedienungsanleitung

Maintenance tips for your Leica camera and
lenses
If your Leica is to be stored for a long period of
time, please remove the batteries and make sure
that the camera is stored in a dry, well-ventilated
place. Photo cases that have got wet during use
should be emptied to prevent damage to your
equipment caused by moisture and any leather-tan-
ning residue released. To prevent fungal growth
during use in hot, humid tropical climates, the ca-
mera equipment should be exposed to the sun and
air as much as possible. Storage in airtight contai-
ners or cases is only recommended if a desiccant,
such as silica gel, is also used. As any dirt may also
be a breeding ground for micro-organisms, the
equipment should be carefully kept clean.
All mechanically operated bearings and sliding
surfaces on your Leica are lubricated. If the cam-
era will not be used for a long period of time: To
prevent the lubrication from turning to resin, the
shutter should be cocked and released several
times at all shutter speeds around every three
months. It is also recommended that you repeat-
edly move and use all other controls, such as the
frame selector. The distance and aperture setting
rings on the lenses should also be moved from
time to time.
A lens works like a magnifying glass if bright sun-
light shines on the front of the camera. The cam-
era must therefore never be set aside without pro-
tection against strong sunlight. Using the lens cap
and keeping the camera in the shade (or directly
in the case) help to prevent damage to the interior
of the camera.
To remove stains and fingerprints, the camera and
lens should be wiped with a clean lint-free cloth.
Tougher dirt in hard to reach corners of the cam-
era body can be removed with a small brush. Do
not use liquid cleaning agents to clean the hous-
ing. Dust and lint inside the camera (e.g. on
the mirror or the film guides) are best removed
carefully with a soft hair brush that has been
repeatedly degreased in ether and then dried. Be
careful not to damage the shutter curtain with the
shaft of the brush.
Normally, a soft hair brush is sufficient to remove
dust from the outer lens elements. However, in
case of more stubborn dirt, they can be carefully
cleaned with a very clean, soft cloth that is com-
pletely free of foreign matter, using circular mo-
tions from the inside to the outside. We recom-
mend micro-fibre cloths (available from photographic
and optical specialists) that are stored in a pro-
tective container and can be washed at tempera-
tures of up to 40°C (without fabric softener, never
iron!). Cloths for cleaning glasses, which are im-
pregnated with chemicals, should not be used as
they can damage the lens glass.
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