Leica M3 rangefinder adjustment

[lefse]

Good people of RFF,

My Leica M3 seems to be a bit off when focusing my Summicron DR at infinity. When aiming for the moon, it is between 5 to 10 percent off horizontally.

My problem is that I find it hard to adjust the screw, because of the 6 to 12 o'clock position it is in. Please have a look at the attached photograph.
Does anyone here have experience with this particular problem - and if so, what type of tool/screwdriver did you use.

And yes, I have googled this, and looked through the forum.
Also, I reside on the North Pole, therefore I have to do this operation myself.

Thanks,

 

[Pirate]

There are two adjustments for the focus. There's a .pdf file floating around the net that shows how to make these adjustments but I can't find it. I have a copy of it, if you email me here with a good email address, I'll send it to you. Reading about both adjustments would be my first step, that's how I learned, and I was able to make this adjustment. As for the screw driver, I'll grab a quick pick of mine for you in a minute.

 

[mooge]

you could remove the roller arm and turn the cam from there. that works, but will throw off your 1m alignment... but that might be off already anyways.

but since you're way out in the boonies (not that I believe you, haha) if your camera focuses correctly/alright right now, might as well leave it as is.

cheers.

 

[Pirate]

Here's what I use. The ends have been filed down a little so they fit into the slot better.

 

[Vickko]

Yep, need an offset screwdriver.

And best not to take the lever off the pivot bearing; chances are that it is in the correct position.

Vick

 

[Pirate]

Found it:

http://www.pentax-manuals.com/manuals/service/leica basic repair.pdf

Read through that link to see the proper adjustments on the focus!

 

[lefse]

Thanks!
Now I know what to get/make.

I'll send you a PM with my email-address, for the manual.

Edit: Saw that you've already posted the link. I found that PDF myself. But thanks again!

 

[zhengpeng]

Maybe you can call some of the repairmen for help.

 

[Pirate]

That manual has all the info you need. It's good stuff. Figure 10 is the one you want.

 

[Mister E]

Would someone email me this PDF?

 

[Pirate]

Can't you just use the link to copy it?

 

[Ronald M]

You can save it to your computer by opening the link posted by Pirate. It is a PDF file.

From there it can be printed.

The way to access the screw is thru the removable rubber plug on the bottom behind the lens mount. Remove the bottom cover, then the plate with film diagram. Rubber is old, so it may need replacement. This is put there so it can be adjusted with focusing fixture set in lens mount.

 

[errorlogin]

The rubber plug is full metal on the M3. 🙂 So, don't worry about deteriorating.

On later ones like the M6 it is rubber. (cost saving for Leica) 😡

 

[Mister E]

You can save it to your computer by opening the link posted by Pirate. It is a PDF file.

From there it can be printed.

The way to access the screw is thru the removable rubber plug on the bottom behind the lens mount. Remove the bottom cover, then the plate with film diagram. Rubber is old, so it may need replacement. This is put there so it can be adjusted with focusing fixture set in lens mount.

Yeah I had missed it, sorry. I'm good now.