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Maintenance tips for your LEICA R9 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 exposed 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 R9 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 program selector and DIN/ASA set-
ting. The lens helix (range setting) and aperture
setting rings 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. Please do not use any pointed or sharp
objects to clean the camera body, as they can
damage the lacquered surface of the top panel.
Liquid cleaning agents should not be used.
Dust and lint inside the camera (e.g. on the mir-
ror 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 focusing screen with the shaft of
the brush.
