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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-
tanning residue released. To prevent fungal
growth during use in hot, humid tropical
climates, the camera equipment should be ex-
posed to the sun and air as much as possible.
Storage in airtight containers 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. Please
remember this if you will not be using the came-
ra for a long period of time. To prevent the lubri-
cation points from becoming gummy, the camera
should be wound on several times and released
with every shutter speed with no film loaded
every three months.
It is also recommended that you repeatedly
move and use all other controls, such as the
image field selector. The range and aperture set-
ting 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
camera should therefore never be set aside with-
out protection against strong sunlight. Using the
lens cover 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 camera body can be removed with a small
brush. Do not use liquid cleaning agents to clean
the housing. 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.
