Leica M4 Vertical Alignment / Summicron 50 DR

[Steve_Pfost]

I've owned my Summicron 50 DR for a couple of months now and I've realized from the get go that it was quite difficult to unmount from my M3/M4's. Is this normal for these lenses? I have not ever had an issue mounting/unmounting lenses from these cameras before this one. I feel as though I have to get it just right, a little shimmy, and it comes off. As if it's getting snagged on something.

Secondly, I just recently noticed my vertical alignment on the rangefinder of my M4 is off by a slight bit, could this be a attributed to the lens unmounting difficulty? OR is this just a coincidence? I just had this camera CLA'd about 3 years ago.

Thirdly, Is the vertical rangefinder alignment an easy fix? I hear it can be a home job but I haven't been able to find any photos/videos to show how. It's off just enough to be annoying so I would like to rectify this.

 

[xayraa33]

I don't know if you seen this:


http://leica.nemeng.com/034b.shtml#...nment&text=If it is a M3,what that screw does!)

 

[Steve_Pfost]

Yeah, I did, though I think I understand it, the link that says it has photos to show doesn't work for me. I was just hoping to see if anyone had any experience.

Most importantly, I was concerned with the 50 and why it may be snagging, and if there was a correlation with the alignment. Unless of course it is normal, and the misalignment is just coincidence.

 

[Fjäll]

Is it easier to unmount the lens when it's focused on its closest focus distance? I've had lenses that's been assembled incorrectly and pushing too hard on the rangefinder arm inside the lens mount.

 

[Bmoze]

I have an M4 and 50DR. Just checked mounting the 50DR with focus at infinity and close-focus. Mounting is smooth and easy at both focal settings.

 

[Steve_Pfost]

Yeah, It's odd. I even looked at my other 50 mounts, to see if there was any discrepancies with the mount, it looks fine.

HOWEVER, I took a leap and followed the instructions for vertical rangefinder alignment. I don't like working on these cameras, not one bit. I also can't afford to send it out for a simple fix. So, with my heart pounding and palms sweating I fixed it haha. It seems to be OK now.

 

[punkzter]

Are you using the goggles with your DR? The goggles themselves need to be calibrated, and I believe that they can be pretty easy to knock out of alignment. It is possible the camera is just fine, but the goggles are not.

 

[brusby]

If the lens has been dropped or bumped on it's mount, wouldn't take much to cause what you describe, considering the close tolerances it uses.

 

[Richard G]

My M2 has always been very tight for mounting and unmounting most lenses. The M6 uses different metals. A lens can fall on; and off. The key to doing your own vertical adjustment is to have a lens on so you don’t lose the screw inside the camera. It looks quite big until it’s off. About the only thing I would fiddle with on my older Ms.