M6 viewfinder problem... how much time/money will it take to fix?

[Sofa King]

So, I recently bought an M6 on ebay and a 35 Biogon from B&H and after shooting with it for about 2/3 of a roll I've come to realize that the focusing is about a foot off (things 5 feet away appear focused at 4 feet on the distance scale). Would this require a full CLA to fix? Could I just bring it to a local camera shop for service? Is it possible to just compensate and try to live with it (how would I do this?)? I'm pretty bummed that I finally got my kit put together and now it isn't working and I REALLY don't want to spend another $200+ and ~ 1 month to get it working correctly. Any and all help is appreciated.

P.S. - I live in Seattle right now and Oakland during the school year (September - May) so if you know any places around either of those locations that I could get this fixed well and for a decent price it would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Paul Connet]

So, I recently bought an M6 on ebay and a 35 Biogon from B&H and after shooting with it for about 2/3 of a roll I've come to realize that the focusing is about a foot off (things 5 feet away appear focused at 4 feet on the distance scale). Would this require a full CLA to fix? Could I just bring it to a local camera shop for service? Is it possible to just compensate and try to live with it (how would I do this?)? I'm pretty bummed that I finally got my kit put together and now it isn't working and I REALLY don't want to spend another $200+ and ~ 1 month to get it working correctly. Any and all help is appreciated.

I think you are making this judgement way too soon. You haven't even finished the first roll and therefore haven't seen any of the results on film. It is easy to be fooled judging distances, even up close. Finish the roll shooting with the camera on a tripod at a measured distance from your subject and focused with the rangefinder for a few shots, then shoot the same subject but adjust the lens so that the distance scale on the lens matches the measured distance, (even if the rangefinder doesn't match). Develop the roll and see which shots give you the better subject focus.

Regards, Paul C.

 

[Sofa King]

Thanks, I'll try that.

 

[ferider]

Like Paul said, you should test two things, seperately:

1) - RF accuracy
2) - Lens collimation

Do both at closest distance and at infinity.

for 1): infinity alignment: focusing on something far away, like a star. Close distance; use a "good lens" (you Biotar is most likely well coupled, this goes rarely out of whack), focus with the camera on a tripod on something 1m away (verify with a tape measure) and check that the lens focus scale says 1m. No test film required.

for 2) once you are sure about 1) shoot some test photos on a tripod. I usually do stuff like this:

This is from a fast 50 (at f1.4). The DOF window of your Biogon at f2 will be much larger.

Best,

Roland.

 

[35mmdelux]

Try RF alignment first. Focus on the Northern Star and see if its off.

 

[Sofa King]

Well, I did some tests and it does seem as though the RF is inaccurate from just focusing on something and then checking at the distance scale (and using a tape measure). Looking at my contact sheet, the photos seem to be focused correctly, however the scanner at the lab that I go to is down, so right now I can only see a contact sheet. Once I get the scans I will post my test shots here.

Thanks for your help so far.

 

[Sofa King]

Ok, so it definitely looks like the focusing is off. Photos taken close up are very blurry, however, the farther back I go the closer it is. Does anyone know how much money and time it will take for me to fix this?

Also, if someone knows a repair person I can take this to in the Seattle area or Bay Area that would be a huge help. Thanks.

 

[ferider]

If you want to go local try Bald Mountain in Davenport.

Otherwise Sherry or Don.

Roland.