Dropped Leica M3 - viewfinder problem

[loquax ludens]

My M3 was in a small camera bag with no lens mounted. I dropped it on concrete from a height of about four feet. I can't see any obvious damage to the body, but when I mount a lens, it doesn't click in positively like it used to. The lens seems to turn about the same amount, just no positive click.

Looking through the viewfinder, with or without a lens mounted, the view is totally black except for the frame lines, which are white. The RF patch in the center is gone, and I can see right through it.

What has happened to the viewfinder? Is it likely that it will need to be replaced, or is it possibly fixable?

I'm thinking I might want to send it off for a complete going over and CLA, just in case there is more damage than I can see. But I thought I'd see if anyone has heard of a viewfinder problem like this, and might know whether it's possibly fixable.

 

[itsjustaride]

Look for YYE camera repair. Sounds like the finder decemented.

 

[sreed2006]

I dropped an M2 from about 3 feet onto a hard tile floor, and the viewfinder went black just like yours. The prisms in the rangefinder optical path that are supposed to be cemented together are no longer cemented. As itsjustaride has said, Youxin Ye at YYE camera can re-cement the prisms, and he did it on my M2 at a reasonable price (there's a price list on his web site, with a listing for re-cementing prisms).

 

[arseniii]

As others have said your prism has separated and it'll be expensive to fix. Prism repair is no easy job it has to be glued together in a certain way with a very high tolerance. Not many Leica techs would take on this job. I'd recommend to start looking for another M3 given that you also have a problem with the lens mount. And I am sorry to hear about the situation, breaks my heart to even imagine dropping a camera 🙁

 

[loquax ludens]

Thank you all. I'll contact Youxin. I've had good dealings with him in the past. Depending on what he says, I'll decide what route to take.

 

[raid]

Glad that you found the way to get the M3 fixed.

 

[loquax ludens]

It turns out the lens mount is fine after all. All of my lenses (50, 90, 135) click in like they should. I'm not sure why I thought I had a problem there. Maybe a bit of grunge that got dislodged, who knows.

There is a small rough dent on the rear corner of the top plate near the viewfinder window, and a little mark on the knurled edge of the rewind knob. That must be where it hit. A pity, but it's cosmetic. I can't imagine how I overlooked that initially. I was more concerned about function, I suppose.

Mechanically, aside from the viewfinder, everything appears to be working. If re-cementing the prism and a CLA is all it needs, it'll be worth it. It would be far more costly to replace it. Waiting to hear back from Youxin.

 

[Rob-F]

Stuff happens. There are worse things. Have Youxin fix it, and then buy yourself a second Leica body. This is a sign that you need one, and the purchase is justified. That's how I think.

 

[nickthetasmaniac]

I had the same happen to my M2 after a short drop onto concrete. Complete viewfinder blackout.

I had the vf recemented by Ernest Cesar in Aus (sadly now retired), and it’s worked perfectly for the last three years. Definitely worth doing!

 

[loquax ludens]

I got my M3 back from Youxin yesterday. It's all good now. The viewfinder is bright and clear again, and the camera is functioning smoothly. I'm so pleased that there was no damage from the fall, aside from the separated prism that is now fixed as good as new.

I've got a roll of Tri-X loaded now. I'm looking forward to the weekend when I'll have a little time to shoot.

 

[raydm6]

Great to hear! Congrats!

Hats off to Youxin for a quick turnaround. Only 2-weeks since start of thread. All is good.

Happy shooting!

 

[Huss]

I got my M3 back from Youxin yesterday. It's all good now. The viewfinder is bright and clear again, and the camera is functioning smoothly. I'm so pleased that there was no damage from the fall, aside from the separated prism that is now fixed as good as new.

I've got a roll of Tri-X loaded now. I'm looking forward to the weekend when I'll have a little time to shoot.

It's going to be better than before. M2s, M3s etc are getting really old now and the balsam/glue holding the prism together will have severely weakened. So many are very susceptible to this.
My M5 had this happen without it even being dropped! The telltale was drip like marks in the rangefinder patch. Stuff gets old, stuff needs fixin'!

p.s. it reasons like this that, if affordable, buying a new Leica M-A or M-P makes sense. Because it will be years before anything needs looking at.

p.s. I have been very happy using Youxin.

 

[santino]

It's going to be better than before. M2s, M3s etc are getting really old now and the balsam/glue holding the prism together will have severely weakened. So many are very susceptible to this.
My M5 had this happen without it even being dropped! The tell tale was drip like marks in the rangefinder patch. Stuff gets old, stuff needs fixin'!

p.s. it reasons like this that, if affordable, buying a new Leica M-A or M-P makes sense. Because it will be years before anything needs looking at.

p.s. I have been very happy using Youxin.

You are probably right but on the other hand I highly doubt new Leicas are made to the same high standards their older models were.

 

[Huss]

You are probably right but on the other hand I highly doubt new Leicas are made to the same high standards their older models were.

Perhaps, but I don't read about prism separation in MPs, M-As etc.

I have both new and old Ms, just sayin there is a reason to buy new.

 

[Beemermark]

Perhaps, but I don't read about prism separation in MPs, M-As etc.

I have both new and old Ms, just sayin there is a reason to buy new.

The reason not to buy new is summed on in one word -cost. You can buy a very nice M4, have it serviced and still be $4k richer.

Actually I've thought about a new MP but I can't stand that 1950's Mickey Mouse rewind. Oooh, it looks cool but most people then buy the $150 add on rewind knob.

 

[loquax ludens]

Great to hear! Congrats!

Hats off to Youxin for a quick turnaround. Only 2-weeks since start of thread. All is good.

Happy shooting!

Youxin is really fast. He fixed it the day after he received it, and sent it back the next. Most of the time since I started this thread was eaten up in shipping.

 

[MrBern]

Congratulations on taking care of this immediately!
Had you waited longer the air would’ve tarnished the silver on the prisms. Then it’s not something Youxin or Sherry can repair. I haven’t found any resilvering services in the USA. So resilvering the blacked out prisms means contacting services in Japan or UK.
Youxin is a very helpful man

 

[steveyork]

That happened to my sister's M3. Oh well, part of the ownership of the M3/M2 club. I echo the Ye recommendations; that is who fixed hers. Good as new, but -- ha, ha -- she doesn't use it much.

 

[View Range]

In my opinion the M3 & M2 are the most rugged cameras Leitz ever made. And they are very repairable. And there is an abundant supply of used cameras available.