M2 finder is black?!
- Thread starter keytarjunkie
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michaelwj
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You should try local first, it'll be easier than twice over the Pacific or Indian oceans. First port of call for me would be Peter at Accurate Instruments in QLD, but I'm sure there are others closer to Tassie who can probably do it. At the very least, maybe someone you call will know who can do it...
Good luck, and report back if any Southern Hemisphere folk can fix it for you.
johannielscom
Snorting silver salts
Second the suggestion of getting it to Alan. He's real good and his prices are very reasonable. Also, he keeps you updated on progress and his work done through a special web address where you can just log on with the repair reference number. 12 month warranty too.
nickthetasmaniac
Veteran
Thanks for the suggestions everyone.
Michael, I've contacted a few Australian technicians, so I'll post back here if any of them are happy to do it.
Michael, I've contacted a few Australian technicians, so I'll post back here if any of them are happy to do it.
wintoid
Back to film
Wonder why I've never heard of this guy. Knowing there was an organised, not overloaded UK repairer would have changed my buying patterns...
Deklari
Well-known
if you don't have money
only option, do it yourself, like this fellow
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=137673
But it depend from the person, not everyone can do it.
only option, do it yourself, like this fellow
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=137673
But it depend from the person, not everyone can do it.
His company is fairly new, he operates it with his son. I've sent him a lot of work over the past 9 or 10 months, very responsive and fast.
He's currently testing a titanium shutter for M bodies.
huntjump
Well-known
YYE is a great. good luck
johnf04
Well-known
johannielscom
Snorting silver salts
Have a look at the website to wet your appetite. He does re-plating and re-painting too, and is very good at it. He's shown terrific examples on Facebook.
And also specifically states he rebuilds rangefinders 'on-site'. And as said, he's currently experimenting to offer the titanium shutter curtain modification as a standard service.
I'd say Alan will also be very busy very soon. But at least he's organised 😉
He has CLA'd my Leica 'Standard to black IIf' conversion which I have up for trade in the Classifieds, it's a marvellous camera now... 😉 🙄
Rob-F
Likes Leicas
Yes, I believe he does. Also try John Van Stelten at The Focal Point. He may do this work.
nickthetasmaniac
Veteran
A bit of an update for those in the Southern Hemisphere...
I contacted a number of people and received responses from Ernest at Camera Electronic in Perth and Peter at Accurate Instruments in Brisbane.
Peter basically said that they had never managed to repair the issue satisfactorily, and success they had previously had with microscopes (25 years ago) ended up costing significantly more than a camera would be worth.
Ernest claimed that he had managed the repair before and was happy to work on my M2, so it's currently winging it's way to Perth. If this doesn't end up working out I will probably send it to Youxin Ye.
I will update on the success (or otherwise) of the operation!
I contacted a number of people and received responses from Ernest at Camera Electronic in Perth and Peter at Accurate Instruments in Brisbane.
Peter basically said that they had never managed to repair the issue satisfactorily, and success they had previously had with microscopes (25 years ago) ended up costing significantly more than a camera would be worth.
Ernest claimed that he had managed the repair before and was happy to work on my M2, so it's currently winging it's way to Perth. If this doesn't end up working out I will probably send it to Youxin Ye.
I will update on the success (or otherwise) of the operation!
michaelwj
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Thanks for the update.
From what I can gather Peter is a perfectionist, and if he can't do it perfectly he won't do it.
I look forward to hearing how it works out!
Cheers,
Michael
shiosaki
Newbie
the key to whether it can be repaired lies in whether the mirror coating was intact during the split. in the process of cleaning away the old balsalm, some of the mirror coating might also come off, affecting the double image clarity or even the total repairability of it - so it might be tough for youxin to work on it as a second person.
nickthetasmaniac
Veteran
Yep I'm aware of this - fingers crossed it's ok, because the rest of the body is working beautifully...
johannielscom
Snorting silver salts
Off topic, some Alan Starkie praise:
Bodies and lenses, all are repaints.
Bodies and lenses, all are repaints.
wintoid
Back to film
Gosh, lovely!
pschauss
Well-known
Are there any warning signs that prism separation is imminent? I have an M5. It has no issues at present but I have no idea if it has ever been worked on.
Chubberino
Well-known
Off topic, some Alan Starkie praise:
Bodies and lenses, all are repaints.
Damn, don't tempt me.
nickthetasmaniac
Veteran
Another update for posterity - this was after a light drop caused the viewfinder prism to seperate in my M2, causing a complete blackout.
I ended up having my M2 viewfinder repaired by Ernest Cesar at Camera Electronic in Perth, WA. The M2 came back looking fantastic - there is no visible sign of separation either when looking at the M2 generally or looking through the VF.
The repair wasn't cheap (what is in Leica land?) but given that it came in at about 1/4 the replacement price of a good M2, it seemed like a good option for a body that I know is otherwise in great working condition. It only took a couple of hours labour too, so a pretty quick turnaround.
A important thing to keep in mind - Ernest reiterated that these repairs are time critical, as the separated prism will begin to oxidise if left for too long.
Good to know for us Australian's that there's a solid local option without having to send our gear to the States!
I ended up having my M2 viewfinder repaired by Ernest Cesar at Camera Electronic in Perth, WA. The M2 came back looking fantastic - there is no visible sign of separation either when looking at the M2 generally or looking through the VF.
The repair wasn't cheap (what is in Leica land?) but given that it came in at about 1/4 the replacement price of a good M2, it seemed like a good option for a body that I know is otherwise in great working condition. It only took a couple of hours labour too, so a pretty quick turnaround.
A important thing to keep in mind - Ernest reiterated that these repairs are time critical, as the separated prism will begin to oxidise if left for too long.
Good to know for us Australian's that there's a solid local option without having to send our gear to the States!
