How do you test a used Leica M for accuracy?

[Mark Eggers]

Hello everyone,

When I get my M6 I would like to run it through some tests to see if all is well with it. Are there tests I can do myself or will I need to take it to a repair shop and have them do it?

Thanks, Mark

 

[Crasis]

Hello everyone,

When I get my M6 I would like to run it through some tests to see if all is well with it. Are there tests I can do myself or will I need to take it to a repair shop and have them do it?

Thanks, Mark

There's a simple set of tests that I use. First I do a set of distance tests with objects on a textured surface.

Closest focus, 1m, 3m, 5m, 10m, with the lens wide open and whatever shutter speed is required.

Then I shoot the same scene with shutter speeds ranging from 1/1000 down to 1s, with the appropriate shutter speeds for the scene. This is best done from 1/1000 to 1/60th outside in the daytime (ranging up to f/22 or whatever aperture) and 1/30th and down inside since you'll need it darker to hit such low shutter speeds.

Then I get the local lab to develope and print, with no density corrections on the prints. I will loupe the negatives for the focus tests and look at the prints for the shutter speed tests.

I've done this on most cameras I've owned. Get a cheap roll of 400 slide film or superia 400 in 24 shot. Note: This will tell you if your rangefinder is off enough for you to tell in normal shooting situations, and it will tell you if your shutter speeds are off in normal shooting situations.

Any more than that, and you'll need a good camera shop with some equipment that they're willing to test it on 🙂

 

[normclarke]

Hi,
There are several simple tests which may be performed before trying a film. Take off the lens and open the back. It is possible to get a good measure of the shutter accuracy by placing it before a lightened TV or PC monitor and observing the waveform at speeds of 125-1000. Its also possible to the shutter with a small flash and checking the slit width again at 60-1000, these tests have been well documented elsewhere on the net. Again with the back open and a lens fitted open the shutter on bulb, fit a screen from an SLR or piece of tape across the film plane to check the accuracy of the r/f. I always check a new addition in this manner, it never fails!
Cheers,
normclarke

 

[eddie con]

mark,
am i right if i assume that you are new to rangefinders? anyway, you might wish to take a look at this thread. it is a common problem with rangefinders -- the accuracy in focus, the rf alignment.
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=29759
it is a thread just initiated by melanie. anyway, if you are familiar with this problem, please ignore.
enjoy the M6! it's a great tool!

 

[Xmas]

Some people dont use the rangefinder.

if you have a CRT style TV then you can test the shutter my taking photos from /50 to /1000, the line scan effect will allow blind speed and acceleration to be easily seen. You can count the lines for the interval open which is close to effective exposure speed. Use a 400 Asa film to get resonable details.

The Leitz rubber fabric shutters accelerate all the way dont worry unless it is really bad.

Noel

 

[Crasis]

Some people dont use the rangefinder.

Well that's rather non-sensical and defeats the purpose doesn't it?

 

[Xmas]

Crasis

I suggest it is different and I'm not alone. If you use a SLR the mirror bounce vibration and noise can be difficult, even an Oly OM-1 has both.

HCB used a leica point and shoot style in the street, if you want reliability and lens performance you wont want to use junk.

I take photos of streets, open fields and hills it is simpler to focus by scale and DoF marks and check the scale again than to focus with the rgfdr, it can be done as part of the exposure and speed checks, my Ms are M4-2 or earlier.

Sometimes I take photos of people close up at night the options are to focus (when they will expect you to photo them and pose) or to be more discrete and risk blur.

Every one is different, and might have different purposes. I frequently carry a monopod as well, I'll give you quaint.

Noel

 

[ffttklackdedeng]

Hello Mark,

Stephen Gandy has a list of things to check on this cameraquest page, too