More Canon P rangefinder woes -- Has anyone had THIS problem?

[Bingley]

Several weeks ago I posted a question about adjusting the rangefinder on my Canon P, which had fallen out of vertical allignment. I got v. helpful responses (as always), and -- using the moon as a reference point -- made the adjustments. Seemed to work fine. And then...

The rangefinder is now going in and out of vertical and horizontal allignment at what seems to be the slightest bump; even the vibration from a car seems to throw it off. Changing lenses also seems to affect both horizontal and vertical allignment of the rf patch. And when I think I've got the patch properly alligned, I've discovered that when I turn the camera to frame a shot vertically, the rangefinder patch goes out of allignment, but returns to "normal" when I hold the camera horizontally.

Has anyone had this problem? Is there mirror or something loose inside the rangefinder mechanism? Suggestions on how to fix?

And if the best course at this point is to send it out for repair, who would you recommend for Canon Ps? (this camera was CLA's last year by Mark Hama, but I'd prefer to send it somewhere where I could get a faster turnaround than six months).

Thanks in advance for your suggestions and advice.

 

[laptoprob]

There obviously is something loose internally. CLA'd only last year? Then this should not happen I guess. No chance of warranty sevice?

 

[dexdog]

And if the best course at this point is to send it out for repair, who would you recommend for Canon Ps? (this camera was CLA's last year by Mark Hama, but I'd prefer to send it somewhere where I could get a faster turnaround than six months).

If you are in the USA, I recommend DAG Camera. I have had several cameras CLA'd there, and turn-around time is about a month, usually. Great quality work, IMO. A number of people on RFF also endorse service by Essex Camera.

Bummer about the alignment- sounds like the RF has a screw loose (seriously).

 

[Xmas]

A P should be rugged, only suggestion is to lift the top plate yourself but that would need confidence.

Noel

 

[jlw]

One thing you should know about the vertical adjustment on the P (a rotating prism) is that it rotates within a fitting that screws in to the rangefinder's chassis.

Because of this, you should only turn the adjustment prism clockwise. If you turn it counterclockwise, you may start to unscrew the fitting. The adjustment will seem correct, but since the fitting is now partly unscrewed, it won't stay put -- it will joggle around in response to handling the camera.

Since the vertical adjustment also affects the horizontal adjustment, this will make it appear that both adjustments are changing.

The cure is to re-tighten the fitting securely, a job that's most easily done with the top cover removed.

I had never read or heard this info anywhere, and only found out about the threaded fitting the hard way, i.e., by accidentally loosening it.

Yeah, I know, we've all turned that adjustment counterclockwise and gotten away with it. But even though the problem may not happen often, it CAN happen...

 

[Bingley]

Thanks to all for advice, comments.

JLW: Although I've kept turning the vertical adjustment clock-wise, I cannot swear that I did not turn it counter-clock-wise on several occasions when I though I'd overshot the mark... that could have loosened the fitting you mention. Do I have the confidence to take the top cover off??? Yikes!

 

[Bingley]

Does anyone have a link they could recommend to instructions on how to remove the top on the P?

 

[Xmas]

Try

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=15924&highlight=VI-T

Noel

 

[Bingley]

Thanks much, Noel. I'll take a closer look when I get home this evening.

 

[Xmas]

Sorry it was not better

I'm sure Kim would have been able to help had he been around

Noel

 

[jlw]

Here's a link to some photos of my topless VI-T; the P is a bit simpler (no variable magnification finder or parallax compensation pin) but the pictures should give you an idea of what you're getting into:

Topless Canon Tour (click)

Disassembly of these cameras is a bit harder than average. Going from memory, I believe the pieces you need to remove include:

-- RF window trim ring
-- Wind lever hub (use a piece of rubber to unscrew if you don't have the right size pin wrench)
-- Shutter speed dial (tiny screws around rim)
-- Shutter release guard ring (even tinier screws)
-- Rewind crank (not sure, but vaguely recall there's a setscrew holding the fork to the shaft; you can't just unscrew it the way you can most cameras)
-- Flash sync outlet on end (needs pin wrench)
-- Plus the regular body screws

Keep in mind that the P is a beautifully finished camera and you don't want to mar that finish... work slowly and stop for a while if you start to feel stressed or nervous.

 

[Bingley]

OK, guys, just so you know, I've never disassembled a camera in my life, let alone one that is a bit harder than average! Sooooo (take a deep breath), I think I'll call DAG or Essex in the morning...

I will, however, print a copy of this thread and retain for future reference. Thanks!