Leica LTM Faint RF in Leica IIIf

Leica M39 screw mount bodies/lenses
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BillRogers

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An acquaintance of mine inherited a Leica IIIf red dial (no self-timer), equipped with a very clean Summarit 50/1.5, from her uncle some years ago. She has never been able to make it work properly, so she asked me for advice.

It is cosmetically excellent and appears to be in fine working order. I am running a roll of film through it at various distances, speeds, and apertures.

However, the image in the rangefinder is quite faint, to the point that it is really unusable. I've been using the distance dial on the lens to pre-focus, then squinting a lot. What is the cause of this, and what is necessary to repair it? About how much does this repair cost?

I think she wants to keep the camera and learn to use it, but this would require repairing the faint RF.

Thanks in advance for your advice.
 
Hello Bill, at the minimum - this IIIf will need a CLA, or better yet have the semi-silvered beam splitter in the RF replaced. Either John Mattox 1-864-297-6931 or Don Goldman of DAG 1-608-835-3342 can do this. It will be about $250.
 
Solinar said:
Hello Bill, at the minimum - this IIIf will need a CLA, or better yet have the semi-silvered beam splitter in the RF replaced. Either John Mattox 1-864-297-6931 or Don Goldman of DAG 1-608-835-3342 can do this. It will be about $250.
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I believe that this price is quite a bit too high for either Johm or DAG= probably closer to $150 from them.

Youxin Ye recently replaced a beamsplitter for me as part of a CLA on a Leica IIc. The combined price was $70.
 
There are a couple of beam splitters on the bay at the moment - not that I'm suggesting it is a DIY job, but if you can find a tech who can do the job at the right price, and you could supply your own beam splitter, it might reduce the price a little.

Try Oleg as well - he is very reasonably priced (I don't have his email, but do a search in this or the FSU forum and you will find him - about $70 for a full CLA if memory serves (plus post of course)
 
You can also try a little red round thingie, Can't remember Leica's name for it, I think it's something like ORAKO, it goes over one of the round windows on the front of the camera and makes it more contrasty. Better, but not perfect. I have one of them and it does the job. You can check Ebay for it. they pop up every so often there.
 
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DAG sells the OKARA for $25 + $4 shipping this will fit over the rf window and increase the contrast. However this should be considered a temporary fix. If you buy be sure to specify the one for the IIIf..

As stated by another poster Don can replace the beamsplitter mirror and do a CLA on the Leica which is your best bet..
 
The RF on my IIIf is also dim. It's impossible to focus in low light conditions.

I can't find any beamsplitters being offered on Ebay. Are they easily available ?
 
I purchased a IIIf on EBay last month and I have having great fun with it. it takes great photos.
The rangefinder is dim but I just expected this for a camera of this vintage. how bright should the RF be compared to the viewfinder?
 
I whacked a piece of red acetate behind the collar on the left RF window (when looking from the back or top... the right hand window when looking face-on). It significantly helps with my dim IIIc.
 
Eric T said:
I purchased a IIIf on EBay last month and I have having great fun with it. it takes great photos.
The rangefinder is dim but I just expected this for a camera of this vintage. how bright should the RF be compared to the viewfinder?
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Totally agreed, Eric. I have great fun too and the pictures are superb for a camera its age. However, I only manage to focus in bright light.

The RF must be bright enough for the second image to be visible. If not focussing with the RF is impossible. Of couse you may estimate the distance of the subject and set your lens up accordingly.
 
I can focus indoors so perhaps your RF is darker than mine. But it can be a struggle sometimes. I will send it in for a CLA sometime over the next few months and see if it helps.
 
my IIIc is invisible in most conditions. Really is the epitomy of dim. The acetate trick is pretty much a free version of the OKARA - I used an old Cokin filter set. Tried different filter colours until I found the easiest to use.

Mine desperately needs a CLA and RF replacement, but at least I can see the second window with that little piece of plastic in there
 
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