Leica LTM Looking for rangefinder adjustment video for lllf

Leica M39 screw mount bodies/lenses
Steve Ruddy

Steve Ruddy

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Hi all, I can't find any info on how to adjust a rangefinder for my lllf. I recently got it back from a CLA. It needed a new curtain. Also I could hardly see the rangefinder image, so new parts were put to bring it back to like new. I can see it very well now but at infinity, it doesn't come completely together. It's also off by about 4" when shooting something 5' away. I don't want to send it back because I have heard these cameras can come out of adjustment quick so I need to know how to touch myself if up if needed.
Thanks,
Steve
 
I'd send it back. From my own experience, it is not easy to adjust it yourself and have it precisely accurate, and the TINY adjustment screw is easy to mess up if the screwdriver slips.
 
It is not that hard to do, and I don't think these get knocked out that easily. I think your repair person most likely just forgot to adjust it.

From memory; first rotate the right eyepiece on the front (right viewed from the back). This is actually a wedge and it will adjust the vertical alignment of the image. You check this first, because rotating it will move the horizontal as well.
Once you are happy with the vertical, remove the little silver screw next to the viewfinder on the front. The RF adjustment screw is behind it. You'll need a small screw driver to adjust it.
With the camera on a tripod, set your lens to infinity and find an object to aim the RF to that is as far away as possible. While looking through the camera carefully turn the screw and see if the two images are moving apart or together. Adjust it until it looks right. Replace the silver cover screw, done!
 
Chriscrawfordphoto said:
Here's the factory service manual from Leica if you're curious how its done by professional techs.


https://learncamerarepair.com/product.php?product=87
Click to expand...

Thank you

CNNY said:
It is not that hard to do, and I don't think these get knocked out that easily. I think your repair person most likely just forgot to adjust it.

From memory; first rotate the right eyepiece on the front (right viewed from the back). This is actually a wedge and it will adjust the vertical alignment of the image. You check this first, because rotating it will move the horizontal as well.
Once you are happy with the vertical, remove the little silver screw next to the viewfinder on the front. The RF adjustment screw is behind it. You'll need a small screw driver to adjust it.
With the camera on a tripod, set your lens to infinity and find an object to aim the RF to that is as far away as possible. While looking through the camera carefully turn the screw and see if the two images are moving apart or together. Adjust it until it looks right. Replace the silver cover screw, done!
Click to expand...

Ah thanks, I talked with the repair tech and he said I could return it. I asked him if it was hard to fix because I wanted to learn. He described the same as you but didn't tell me about the vertical. However it's accurate that way so I turned the adjustment screw clockwise, as he suggested, it was very hard to turn, but just a tiny adjustment fixed it. Now 4' is dead on, as well as infinity.
 
Too bad but the CLA and adjustment people are sliding into the 'puesta del sol.' But look around here (RFF) and you will find someone that can do it. The IIIf has an accelerating shutter which most of the repair people don't consider. So you you have to send it back to fix this after everything else is has been done.
 
In my experience these aren't easily knocked out of whack. This is perhaps the most important adjustment on a barnack, and the tech missed it? Wow.
 
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