M2 focussing problem.

[Vidardo]

Greetings from Norway!

Last month I got my Leica M2, it is from 1963, think it was a pretty good deal. It is my first rangefinder and I really like to use it 🙂

http://www.flickr.com/photos/vidargrov/4098138168/

The pictures comes out in focus and sharp, but sometimes there is a problem when I try to focus on objects close to me. The "double image" stops moving when i move the focusing wheel far to the right. I can no longer see where the focus is. To correct this I move the focus to "infinity" then I can move "the double image" again" This is never an issue when focusing at objects far away. And sometimes it is no problem at all.

I have no idea about how this camera works yet but looking at a M2 repair manual I think maybe it is the "rangefinder control arm" that don´t reacts as it should. But as mentioned before I am a newbie on rangefinders so please correct me if I am wrong!

The lens I use is a Voigtlander Color Skopar 50mm f2.5, with a Voigtlander adapter.

Could this be a serious problem, or maybe I can fix myself? I don´t really want to send it to a CLA yet, I believe I have to send it abroad to do this, don´t think anyone do this in Norway.

Thanks!

 

[Roger Hicks]

How close?

Cheers,

R.

 

[Benjamin]

The Rangefinder of Leica M bodies is only coupled to .7m, as is the 50mm Color Skopar.

Are you sure that you're not trying to focus closer than that?

 

[Vidardo]

@ Benjamin: I am pretty sure that´s not the problem.

The "double image" sometimes stop moving when focusing around 1,5 and 2 meters. Sometimes closer to 0,7m and sometimes it works as it should.

 

[Benjamin]

@ Benjamin: I am pretty sure that´s not the problem.

The "double image" sometimes stop moving when focusing around 1,5 and 2 meters. Sometimes closer to 0,7m and sometimes it works as it should.

Take it into the/a shop.

 

[Vidardo]

I bought it on the net.

 

[rlouzan]

http://www.kamera-service.info/

 

[Roger Hicks]

Move the coupling arm repeatedly with your finger and it may well free up anyway. Of course it may not, but for a few minutes twiddling it is worth trying it to find out! Look through the finder to see if the split image and frame lines are moving.

Cheers,

R.

 

[Vincent.G]

Have you tried with another lens mounted?

 

[Vidardo]

Thanks for all replies.

@Roger: I will certainly try that when I get home from work.

@Vincent: I only have one lens yet, can´t really afford another right now. Do you suspect the problem may be related to the lens?

 

[Vincent.G]

It's difficult to say at this moment until you try my suggestion. This is to help you isolate the problem - either with the lens or the body. If problem persist with another lens mounted, then the problem most likely lie in the body. In this case, you can choose to send your M2 for repair or get by with what you are doing now. Of course there is a slight possibility your lens could be faulty but probability of that is relatively lower, in my humble opinion.

Is there a camera store where you can try out another lens? Or maybe a fellow RF enthusiast who lives near you?

 

[Rob-F]

Move the coupling arm repeatedly with your finger and it may well free up anyway. Of course it may not, but for a few minutes twiddling it is worth trying it to find out! Look through the finder to see if the split image and frame lines are moving.

Cheers,

R.

When you do this, it will help to have the camera in a fairly warm place. In summer you might sit outside in the sun with it for a bit. Just now, the warmest room in the home will do. Maybe in the kitchen, while something bakes in the oven for instance. The thing is that the old lubricants may have gummed up, preventing the arm from moving freely. A warm environment can help. But it's only a temporary fix. If it works, then it is time for a CLA, to fix it for real.

 

[Roger Hicks]

When you do this, it will help to have the camera in a fairly warm place. In summer you might sit outside in the sun with it for a bit. Just now, the warmest room in the home will do. Maybe in the kitchen, while something bakes in the oven for instance. The thing is that the old lubricants may have gummed up, preventing the arm from moving freely. A warm environment can help. But it's only a temporary fix. If it works, then it is time for a CLA, to fix it for real.

Dear Rob,

Good point about the warm environment, but I'm not totally convinced about the CLA. If it's done properly by somebody competent (in which case it won't be cheap), it won't do any harm. But I'd back a bit of exercise (of the camera) against a cheap CLA any day. A competent repairer dubbed my IIIa the 'Torrey Canyon' in memory of the famous oil spill -- the oil added by a less-than-competent previous CLA.

Cheers,

R.

 

[Al Kaplan]

All mechanical cameras need regular use. They don't need a lot of exersize but they shouldn't just sit unused for months on end. Run them through ALL the shutter speeds a few times also.

 

[Vidardo]

Move the coupling arm repeatedly with your finger and it may well free up anyway. Of course it may not, but for a few minutes twiddling it is worth trying it to find out! Look through the finder to see if the split image and frame lines are moving.

Cheers,

R.

Just tried it, didn´t work. The split image and frame lines moves fine when I move the coupling arm.

Am I right assuming the coupling arm should move right back up after being pushed all the way down? On my camera it sometimes just move halfway back up.

I have to try it another day when its warmer in my living room. Cold today.. Soon snow here in Norway😡

Thanks for all the help. If I decide to send it to a CLA eventually, how much must I expect to pay?

 

[Roger Hicks]

Just tried it, didn´t work. The split image and frame lines moves fine when I move the coupling arm.

Am I right assuming the coupling arm should move right back up after being pushed all the way down? On my camera it sometimes just move halfway back up.

I have to try it another day when its warmer in my living room. Cold today.. Soon snow here in Norway😡

Thanks for all the help. If I decide to send it to a CLA eventually, how much must I expect to pay?

Yes, it's sticking.

Rather than a 'CLA', consider a simple repair. A good repairer will do a certain amount of cleaning up anyway. This is why a 'CLA' can cost anything from under $100 to over $500, depending on how fully (or carefully) the camera is stripped, cleaned and adjusted -- and how badly it is flooded with oil in lieu of proper cleaning.

The 'CLA' is an American invention from the 1990s. Prior to that, we just had our Leicas repaired if they went wrong. Not one of my Leicas has ever had a 'CLA' and I've been using them for 40 years or so, ranging from fixed-lens Model A to new MP, M8, M8.2.

Cheers,

R.

 

[Al Kaplan]

I'm with Roger on this. It's better to just use your Leicas and other cameras. That way they won't get crudded up with gummy lubricants and need a "CLA".

 

[Vidardo]

Yes, it's sticking.

Rather than a 'CLA', consider a simple repair. A good repairer will do a certain amount of cleaning up anyway. This is why a 'CLA' can cost anything from under $100 to over $500, depending on how fully (or carefully) the camera is stripped, cleaned and adjusted -- and how badly it is flooded with oil in lieu of proper cleaning.

The 'CLA' is an American invention from the 1990s. Prior to that, we just had our Leicas repaired if they went wrong. Not one of my Leicas has ever had a 'CLA' and I've been using them for 40 years or so, ranging from fixed-lens Model A to new MP, M8, M8.2.

Cheers,

R.

Thanks for your opinion. HOW CAN I MAKE IT UN-STICK??:bang:

I think I will look around for someone local that can repair it. Don´t wanna send it abroad for a CLA just yet..

Interesting, I thought most users of classic Leicas was pro CLA, but it seems CLA has some drawbacks too?

 

[Sonnar Brian]

I've sent most of my Leica's in for a CLA, even if they were "usable" without. The biggest difference to me is the "Crystal Clear" viewfinder from the a good service. Also- the cameras come back from the CLA a little buit quieter than they went in. I'll open up a lot of cameras myself, and clean the finder and replace seals. But my Leica's go to Youxin Ye.

 

[Roger Hicks]

Thanks for your opinion. HOW CAN I MAKE IT UN-STICK??:bang:

I think I will look around for someone that can repair it. Don´t wanna send it abroad for a CLA just yet..

Interesting, I thought most users of classic Leicas was pro CLA, but it seems CLA has some drawbacks too.

If twiddling doesn't do it, alas, it's a repair.

Among classic Leica users, I suspect you'll find most are in the USA -- and I doubt they're 50% even then, if they actually use their Leicas. EDIT: That's not to denigrate Brian's opinion, or to say he doesn't take pictures: just to say that plenty of others (Al and me included) take a different view.


Cheers,

R.