Leica M2 RF window - what is this?

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nickthetasmaniac

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Hi all, any ideas what this is in the RF window on my M2?

It’s not visible in the RF patch in the viewfinder. It’s very hard to see and I have no idea how long it’s been there (possibly as long as I’ve had the camera).

Some possibilities:
- Fungus (doesn’t look like any fungus I’ve seen)
- Separation (doesn’t look like any separation I’ve seen)
- A bit of debris/hair maybe?

Thoughts?

E424EFC8-4911-4856-916B-3D54DFE2EA3C.jpg
 
That's very odd. What does it look side from the other side of the finder Nick? And what happens if you cover the rangefinder window? More/less noticeable? I don't mind admitting I can't suggest a cause.
 
Maybe some debris or separation on the prism? Why M2 had it too, slightly, but it always worked and it didn't bother me enough to have it looked at.
 
nickthetasmaniac said:
...

Some possibilities:
- Fungus (doesn’t look like any fungus I’ve seen)
- Separation (doesn’t look like any separation I’ve seen)
- A bit of debris/hair maybe?
Click to expand...
My guess is the latter. Debris, dust, insect whatever - it doesn't look like deterioration from age or fungus.
 
Two plants in the moonlight? Could be some blacking paint that has peeled off the corner of something.

PF
 
Thanks for the thoughts everyone!

I managed to get a closer shot (please excuse the quality, this was taken on my phone through a 10x magnifying glass and heavily cropped…)

The outline around the black Thingys looks like separation to me. Yay/nay?

Given that it doesn’t impact composing/focussing I’m inclined to ignore it unless it gets notably worse. Does this sound like a bad idea to anyone?

840D2B47-A6E7-442D-A5CE-03C91E06270C.jpg
 
nickthetasmaniac said:
Thanks for the thoughts everyone!

I managed to get a closer shot (please excuse the quality, this was taken on my phone through a 10x magnifying glass and heavily cropped…)

The outline around the black Thingys looks like separation to me. Yay/nay?

Given that it doesn’t impact composing/focussing I’m inclined to ignore it unless it gets notably worse. Does this sound like a bad idea to anyone?
Click to expand...
Sadly, Nick, I think it is separation. If it becomes terminal the ideal person to fix it is probably Alan Starkie. Unfortunately he is no longer accepting work from outside the UK due to post Brexit VAT complications.
 
nickthetasmaniac said:
Thanks for the thoughts everyone!

I managed to get a closer shot (please excuse the quality, this was taken on my phone through a 10x magnifying glass and heavily cropped…)

The outline around the black Thingys looks like separation to me. Yay/nay?

...
Click to expand...

The enlarged version seems to show the two darker "pieces" connected, and it now appears more like a bubble than a foreign object - which I first thought.

I have not seen viewfinder separation like that before, but I am now more inclined to think it is something along those lines rather than my previous guess.
 
It looks like separation, either between the roof prism and the light sealing plate or the roof prism and its mount (as named in the M2 service manual).

What to do? If it works, use it! When it doesn't work send it to Kanto Camera, or put it on on the shelf for looking at, or buy another one from eBay and sell that one with an honest description. You might be surprised. I sold a nice M3 with a totally separated finder recently and got more for it than I bought it for in 2004 when the finder was perfect. Time is an odd disquiet.
 
Freakscene said:
What to do?
Click to expand...

I probably should have been clearer…

For those familiar with camera repair, is it likely to cause issues if I do nothing now and keep shooting until it gets worse?

I know there can be issues with leaving prism separation repairs due to oxidisation of the exposed surfaces. I’m wondering if there might be similar issues here, or if I can just ignore until it actually interferes with use.
 
nickthetasmaniac said:
I probably should have been clearer…

For those familiar with camera repair, is it likely to cause issues if I do nothing now and keep shooting until it gets worse?

I know there can be issues with leaving prism separation repairs due to oxidisation of the exposed surfaces. I’m wondering if there might be similar issues here, or if I can just ignore until it actually interferes with use.
Click to expand...

I think you should ask a real repair person for advice, here you will just receive guesses, more or less qualified.
 
nickthetasmaniac said:
Thanks for the thoughts everyone!

I managed to get a closer shot (please excuse the quality, this was taken on my phone through a 10x magnifying glass and heavily cropped…)

The outline around the black Thingys looks like separation to me. Yay/nay?

Given that it doesn’t impact composing/focussing I’m inclined to ignore it unless it gets notably worse. Does this sound like a bad idea to anyone?
Click to expand...

That close-up does look more like separation. Will have to be addressed at some time, but you say it doesn't affect the operation. Keep using the camera until you can get it sent in for repair, but don't delay on your search for a place to send it.

PF
 
nickthetasmaniac said:
I probably should have been clearer…

For those familiar with camera repair, is it likely to cause issues if I do nothing now and keep shooting until it gets worse?

I know there can be issues with leaving prism separation repairs due to oxidisation of the exposed surfaces. I’m wondering if there might be similar issues here, or if I can just ignore until it actually interferes with use.
Click to expand...

The light sealing plate has a hole in it; the roof prism is silvered behind. The problem is you can’t easily tell if your problem will progress without disassembling it and even then you might not be able to tell if it will progress slowly or catastrophically.

Separation will cause the silvering to oxidise if it allows air to access silver that would otherwise be sealed, but the parts may need re-silvering even if you get it fixed now. A repair person can only arrest it if the separation is accessible, but it’s hard to tell if it is. Otherwise it might need to be re-cemented, but again what this implies is hard to predict.

The youngest M2s are 54, the oldest 65. It is kind of surprising and cool that it works, given that it’s glued together with tree sap (not quite, but close). If you get it rebuilt one thing you can be sure of is that 2020s optical cements will last a lot better than those from the 1950s and 60s. But I doubt anyone will need a Leica M for 100+ years.

I am aware of your geography too, and have found getting repairs done in Australia frustrating, particularly recently. The difficulty of getting things fixed properly here has usually led me to use things until they completely break, then repairing them or getting them repaired.

Marty
 

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Freakscene said:
I am aware of your geography too, and have found getting repairs done in Australia frustrating, particularly recently. The difficulty of getting things fixed properly here has usually led me to use things until they completely break, then repairing them or getting them repaired.

Marty
Click to expand...

That’s the dilemma. Ernest, Jorg and now Camera Clinic have all retired, left Oz or closed shop. I don’t know anyone left in Australia now who could do anything beyond a basic service.

Sending this in for repair will mean a trip to the US most likely.
 
When did Camera Clinic close!!!?

who is the official Australian Leica service centre? Do you have to take your camera to a ‘boutique’ and have it sent to Wetzlar???
 
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