M8 rangefinder realignment help needed

[defektive]

My apologies if this has already been covered here, please point me in the right direction if it has.

I picked up my M8 today and the rangefinder has become misaligned vertically since I last used it (must have copped a knock on our way home from holidays last week). Can someone give me a detailed description of how to fix it and what tools I need please?

Regards,
Sam

 

[Jubb Jubb]

Hi Sam,

This happened to me two weeks ago when i was first testing my camera, I have taken it off to the local camera story here in Sydney for repair.

I think they are ripping me off as it is costing $250 to get re-aligned. But otherwise, if you get in contact with Adeal, they may be able to help you...

Good luck!

 

[ChrisC]

Sam - See whether reading this is of any help :

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica...how-precisely-tune-your-rangefinder-15-a.html

I think I'd prefer to have the rangefinder precisely calibrated by a qualified Leica technician.

............... Chris

 

[DamenS]

That's hugely expensive Jubb Jubb - who is it ? Mainline photo ?

 

[Jubb Jubb]

Foto Riesel in Sydney. Thought I was being ripped off.

 

[defektive]

Thanks for the replies, looks a bit beyond my capabilities so I will try and find a pro down here who can tackle it.

 

[Lflex]

Ginza Leica Salon charges 3000 yen, thats less than 40 US$.

 

[jaapv]

Hi Sam,

This happened to me two weeks ago when i was first testing my camera, I have taken it off to the local camera story here in Sydney for repair.

I think they are ripping me off as it is costing $250 to get re-aligned. But otherwise, if you get in contact with Adeal, they may be able to help you...

Good luck!

It is a ten minute job- that is indeed a ripoff

 

[jamato8]

Total ripoff. That is disgusting.

 

[Adrian Nasti]

I've always found Foto Riesel in Sydney to be very helpful but their prices seem to be on the high end.

There used to be a fellow in the Dymocks building who did Leica repairs. He was fantastic and reasonably priced but I understand he has retired..

The only options left for repairs/adjutments are either Perth or Melbourne. You may want to speak to Scott at Mainline Photo in Crows Nest and discuss your problem. He has been most helpful recently with arranging a lens CLA.

 

[semordnilap]

You can buy one of these:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vertical-Li...ltDomain_0&hash=item2a1185c113#ht_2028wt_1251

And it's easy from there–just take off the red dot and align it.

 

[richardhkirkando]

You can buy one of these:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vertical-Li...ltDomain_0&hash=item2a1185c113#ht_2028wt_1251

And it's easy from there–just take off the red dot and align it.

Yep - if it's *only* the vertical alignment that's off, anybody can do it in 10 minutes with the right tool. Earlier models only required a flathead screwdriver.

If the focusing accuracy is off, however, I'd definitely send it to a pro.

 

[defektive]

Ok, I'll bite. How do you get the dot off without trashing it and the camera?

 

[Vickko]

I hope someone provides a good answer. I am guessing that Leica purposely made it impossible to remove with leaving signs, as a indicator of "unauthorized entry".

There have been a couple historical precedents:
- the seal at the top of the lens mount for Leica M's
- the cover of the rewind knob on Nikon F2 cameras
- the name label for the Contarex Super Electronic camera

It is virtually impossible to open up those cameras without destroying the cosmetic part.

Vick

 

[jaapv]

Twist the dot left and right with your thumb to loosen it a bit and then work it with two toothpicks until it slides off,adhesive intact.
Apply a minidrop -mini not to get it into the rest of the camera!- of Acetone to the securing compound on the adjusting fork to soften it.
Insert the tool, point the camera at a distant object with the lensat infinity and twist to adjust. Leave for a few minutes for the securing "glue" to harden again and reapply the dot.
Leica does not regard this adjusting operation as something that voids the guaranty, if done properly. It is undetectable anyway. Changing the dotfor another type is fine with them as well.

 

[Ben Z]

I hope someone provides a good answer. I am guessing that Leica purposely made it impossible to remove with leaving signs, as a indicator of "unauthorized entry".

There have been a couple historical precedents:
- the seal at the top of the lens mount for Leica M's

The last Leica M mount with a wax seal at the 12 o'clock lens mount screw was the M4-P. Starting with M6 there is neither a wax seal, nor even the need to remove that screw to get the top plate off. On my M4 before I sent it for overhaul, I removed the top plate and filed off the tab that goes behind the 12 o'clock mount screw (it really isn't needed, as the M6 and later bodies prove). Now I can get under the top plate any time I want (to adjust the 1/1000 shutter speed, or clean out the viewfinder) without disturbing the "92" wax seal DAG put there.

 

[nasdak]

if the vertical alignement went off because of a shock, chances are that the horizontal is off too. Send it to a good repairman that can fix everything correct price should be around 100USD

 

[Lflex]

correct price should be around 100USD

100$ ! Thats a bit steep. Official Leica service in Ginza, Tokyo is less than 40$. I had it done the other day. I'd say that is the "correct" price.

 

[defektive]

Bloody Hell! I just got the repair quote back and it's $300 locally so I rang a repairer in Melbourne and they said $200-250. I'm confident the rangefinder is accurate horizontally so I think I'll just buy the $60 tool off eBay and have a crack myself.

Before I start hucking in, has anyone heard of any horror stories regarding DIY rangefinder vertical realignment?

 

[Vickko]

Go carefully and don't strip the head of the adjustment screw.