leica m4-2 crack on viewfinder or something else?

[soonjw]

just got a leica m4-2,

notice there is a hairline like mark on the bottom corner of the view finder.

am wondering if its a crack or something else?

& should i be worried? 🙁

image here:
https://imgur.com/a/7lVdH8S

 

[Rob-F]

I only got a blank screen with no picture, but does it look like the front glass is cracked? If not, it might be evidence of de-cementing of the prism.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

If you want this thread to be guessing game, keep this picture. If you want to find out, try to take it as close as possible. Mobile phones are good at it.

 

[lukx]

From the photos it looks like the front glass of the rangefinder is affected, not the prism inside. The latter would be much more problematic, the front glass can be replaced more easily if it fails. I think it's mostly cosmetic and will not inhibit usage.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

Here is how it looks on my trashy, acting up after drop and CLAs M4-2:

 

[Beemermark]

The front glass looks like it's loose or at least moved. I don't think it's a crack, just the edge of the glass. Early M4-2's had a lot of faults, the glass might just been installed slightly off center. Whatever it is I sure wouldn't obsess about it.

 

[Andrea Taurisano]

The top plate seems to have taken a blow right over the VF, and even the metal frame's right hand side (in the picture) seems slightly bent inwards. If the camera was dropped and landed on that corner, the VF glass may very well be slightly cracked where glass meets metal.

 

[soonjw]

If you want this thread to be guessing game, keep this picture. If you want to find out, try to take it as close as possible. Mobile phones are good at it.

i really do apologize,

here is a closest attempt i could take with my phone (any closer and it wont focus)

https://imgur.com/a/vrnWjlS

I am not too sure why another user is complaining that it is blank? I checked the URL on imgur works fine tho.

 

[Pál_K]

The top plate seems to have taken a blow right over the VF, and even the metal frame's right hand side (in the picture) seems slightly bent inwards. If the camera was dropped and landed on that corner, the VF glass may very well be slightly cracked where glass meets metal.

Are you looking at Kostya’s camera with the dent or the OP’s?

As for the OP, it does appear to be a small crack but I don’t think it’s of any consequence unless moisture or dust can enter. Do the rangefinder-patch images align properly and do various focusing distances appear to be correct?

 

[soonjw]

Are you looking at Kostya’s camera with the dent or the OP’s?

As for the OP, it does appear to be a small crack but I don’t think it’s of any consequence unless moisture or dust can enter. Do the rangefinder-patch images align properly and do various focusing distances appear to be correct?

i just got the camera yesterday, will have to take it for a spin this weekend to find out.

but so far the focus patch seems clear and does align properly tho.
(with me just playing with a lens i have)

unless there is another way to check if focus is ok without having to shoot a roll.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

i really do apologize,

here is a closest attempt i could take with my phone (any closer and it wont focus)

https://imgur.com/a/vrnWjlS

I am not too sure why another user is complaining that it is blank? I checked the URL on imgur works fine tho.

I could see it now. Looks like some very sloppy job on optics. Plate wasn't damaged as on mine. So, undamaged plate was taken out and something bad happened after. Or it was damaged and moved to this camera.

How much you have paid for it? If under 1K USD and you see nothing wrong in VF and no light leaks, it is OK to gamble.
If more than 1K UDS, you were hosed.

PS. Some can't open the link for many unknown to us, regular net users, reasons. The net is dark if no tracing logs are available 🙂

 

[Andrea Taurisano]

Are you looking at Kostya’s camera with the dent or the OP’s?

Haha. Indeed I was looking at the wrong picture. Sorry for that but for some reason I thought it was a closeup shot of the same camera. If the VF of Kostya's camera wasn't affected by whatever left those marks, I'm more and more impressed by what these cameras can take...