Leica R4s body...has it got some corrosion?

[mo]

Click here to see on Ebay
Looking at the body with the little bubbles/lumps (what is the correct term) is it a form of corrosion?

[PaulC]

Looks to me as if there is mould on the top and rusting under the paintwork. Look at all the rust on the screws above the eyepiece. It must have been stored somewhere damp. The R4s wasn't the most reliable Leica, anyway (the R4s Mod P or Mod 2 was brought in, briefly, as an improvement).

I wouldn't buy this one.

[Esox lucius]

[mo]

Thanks I did not realise cameras can rust or go moldy for that matter...only thought that applied to lenses.

[wildlightphoto]

[cooltouch]

It is equally likely that the former owner had very corrosive sweat. I've seen this same sort of phenomenon often on older electric guitars, where the hardware was often quite corroded because of the player's sweat.

As for the bumps under the leatherette on the back, I've seen these often on old Zeiss folders and Rollei TLRs. I've even heard them referred to as "Zeiss bumps." Typically, what you'll find when you peel back the leatherette is brass screws that have begun to corrode. The green corrosion builds up in lumps and causes the bulges seen under the leatherette. It's pretty easy to clean, and usually there is little if any damage done. I would expect to find the same sort of thing under the R4s's leatherette.

[mo]

Interesting cooltouch as it is on the top and around the eyepiece.maybe a good practice to wipe down a camera after use....being in 40 degree heat you tend to sweat a lot...or is it glisten if you are female...