135mm frameline removal?

[Phil_F_NM]

Has anyone had the 135mm framelines in their M9 masked off so only the 35mm frame is seen in the VF? I've had this mod done to my M4-p and I love it. I don't use a 135mm lens and if I use something that long I'll grab an SLR. My most used lens on the M9 is a 35mm Lux.
Since it can be done, would Leica do it? I'm sure they will charge an arm and a leg, or at least the forearm.

Phil Forrest

 

[35mmdelux]

Call Leica N.J tomorrow and let us know. Good luck with the turnaround.

 

[Phil_F_NM]

Good luck with the turnaround.

Yeah, I hear you. The camera has to go in for warranty service (again) and yet, I'm still thinking about keeping it. Mulling that idea around, at least. Partly because I don't feel like investing in a whole new collection of lenses for a Nikon digital but mostly because I love using a rangefinder and I still need a digital camera regardless. Good idea about the phone call to Leica NJ. I'll keep y'all up to date.

Phil Forrest

 

[35mmdelux]

It really is worth the call. Best -

 

[Phil_F_NM]

After calling a few times and not being able to get an answer, I emailed the technical desk at Leica NJ about the removal of the 135mm framelines from the viewfinder. Here is the reply:

"Good Morning Phil,
Yes, we can do the modification of the frame. It will be approximately about $300.00 this is for the modification only. I hope this helps you.
Kind regards,"

So, like other a-la-carte services, this one can also be done but at quite an expense. If I ultimately decide to keep the M9 (and while I've hemmed and hawed about it, I still love the camera enough to keep it) I'll have this done as well as have the original warranty extended. That is almost $800 just between those two services but it could be worth it, I'm not sure. I always hate the 135mm framelines in all my cameras and had Youxin remove them from my M4-P. The newly CLA'd camera viewfinder looks amazing at the 35mm setting. Like my M2, but with better contrast.

Phil Forrest