Cracks on M3 patch. What are they?

[Vilk]

Diagnosis and prognosis much appreciated. Knowledgeable individuals with experience of the actual condition encouraged to post! 🙂

Many thanks, everyone!

Vilk

PS. Interestingly enough, much more noticeable in cold weather. Rangefider remains accurate.

 

[ferider]

They look like oil streaks in the RF path. Do you see them from the front (looking through RF window and/or main window) ?

 

[literiter]

I have similar "cracks" on the finder of my M2. They have been there and have not changed since I got the camera in 1980. It may be cracks on the protective coating on a mirror.

Gerry Smith at Kindermann, here in Canada suggests I not worry about it and that replacement would be a bit pricey.

My humble advice would be to live with it, as I have, happily now for 30 years.

I used to know a Dutch cabinet maker. He told me that it was advisable to create flaw on a piece of work purposely, to show that only God could make perfection.

 

[Vilk]

ferider:

No, I don't see anything looking anywhere. It's only visible in the "normal" view through the finder. They started as tiny whiskers top and bottom of the patch; they grew and joined within a year or so. Hmmm... would oil leak upwards?

literiter:

That's my approach, too, actually. The rangefinder is perfectly usable. What worries me a bit is that they obviously grew over time. Replacement of M3 finder with that of M6 not even a remote possibility here (even though it has its Dutch cabinetmaker flaw already--those silly rounded corners!).

Thanks a million, gentlemen!

 

[Vilk]

Oink, oink! 😛

The regulation 24-hour bump... We have two guesses and some sound advice (thanks again!).

Anyone with more intel? Thank you in advance,

Vilk

 

[Platinum RF]

Canadaina balsm separation is another posibility

 

[rustysheepdog]

Could it besome form of fungus? Not sure about the idea, but it's a thought.

As for getting the problem put right, the "CRR" repair firm in Luton, UK, can work wonders on problem rangefinders. Google them and take a look, perhaps.

 

[SolaresLarrave]

My own M3 has them. Very, very small... not worth worrying about them.

 

[Vilk]

As for getting the problem put right, the "CRR" repair firm in Luton, UK, can work wonders on problem rangefinders. Google them and take a look, perhaps.

That was the first door I knocked upon in my quest for peace of mind. Alas, their mail server keeps telling me the mailbox they list on their Web site does not exist.

"Blessed are those whose hands are busy, for they shall not need new customers." (Vilk 5:11)

😉

 

[Vilk]

Once more, thanks all... Especially for the dontworryminehasthemtoos! 😎

 

[mooge]

it could be from some sort of cracking in the framelines mask.



I can see a line in the RF patch (hangin' out with the local dust specks) similar to that shown in the first post, but oddly enough I can't see the cracks in the framelines.


I suspect it could be from impact damage... my M2 fell off a bus seat recently and that's the only cause I could think of.

impacts WILL damage your RF unit to some extent though. I have another cracking lens group and a separating beamsplitter to back this claim up...
(somehow, it's still useable though!)

 

[sanmich]

If it's growing, I would definitely send it to someone.
It could be fungus, separation etc.
Unless it's desilvering (it doesn't look like it), I think that any of the regular suspects can handle it (Golden touch, Youxin, Don or of course Leica)

 

[rogerzilla]

Peter Grisaffi at CRR Luton is alive and well - I spoke to him on Tuesday and posted a 'cron to him for cleaning today.

I think he has had big problems with e-mail - probably drowning in a sea of spam - and prefers you to make contact by phone first. He is always booked up two months ahead but always seems to turn my stuff round in a week or so because I'm a regular!