ZoomP
Well-known
Folks,
Noticed a slight scratch on the viewfinder bluish coating. Initially thought it was dirty, but after cleaning it with water the scratch remains.
I thought this is supposed to be scratch resistent coating. Did anyone else have scratched vf coating on your MP? If so, how do you take care of it? Thanks.
Noticed a slight scratch on the viewfinder bluish coating. Initially thought it was dirty, but after cleaning it with water the scratch remains.
I thought this is supposed to be scratch resistent coating. Did anyone else have scratched vf coating on your MP? If so, how do you take care of it? Thanks.
Al Kaplan
Veteran
Only diamonds don't get scratched. If it's covered under warranty, and you can live without the camera for a few weeks, send it in. Otherwise you live with the scratch
ZoomP
Well-known
I am fine with the scratch but wanted to prevent further scratches, hence the post. Just wanna hear from other MP users.
Roger Hicks
Veteran
Just looked at mine, 4-5 years old, and used on three continents. With a magnifying glass I can see a few small scratches. Never affected the viewfinder, though. 'Scratch resistant' doesn't mean it'll never scratch!
Cheers,
R.
Cheers,
R.
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Erik van Straten
Veteran
Mine - 6 years old - is cleaned a few thousand times, but shows no scratches at all. A miracle.
Erik.
Erik.
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Al Kaplan
Veteran
I just checked my button rewind M2 and my converted-from-double-stroke M3, both pre-1960 Leica bodies. As far as I know, and I've had them both about forever, purchased used in 1969 for the M3 and 1972 for the M2, they've never seen the inside of an ever-ready case. The M3 has a pin point size ding on the front window of the finder, which I never noticed until now, while the fifty+ year old M2 finder looks great. These are not cameras that have been babied. They saw pro use before I bought them, and since then they've often banged against one another while hang from my shoulder or neck.
Maybe the newer finders use softer glass and/or coatings? On the other hand I rarely clean the finders (or the lenses for that matter) other than blowing off the dust.
Maybe the newer finders use softer glass and/or coatings? On the other hand I rarely clean the finders (or the lenses for that matter) other than blowing off the dust.
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coelacanth
Ride, dive, shoot.
I don't have an MP (I wish!!), but my understanding about glass coating / material is that the scratch resistant coating prevents the actual glass scratched, but the coating itself can get "scratched." But the main purpose of the coating is to keep the actual view clear by preventing the actual glass scraped (scratched).
My wrist watches with scratch resistant coating get "scratched" on the coating but the view itself is clear while I haven't seen a mark on the watches with sapphire glass that I use daily basis.
My wrist watches with scratch resistant coating get "scratched" on the coating but the view itself is clear while I haven't seen a mark on the watches with sapphire glass that I use daily basis.
dacookieman
Cookie Monster
To add my 2 cents: Maybe that's why its scratch-"resistant" and not scratch-"proof".
Ben Z
Veteran
+1. Just like the coatings on Leica lenses, although there've been some very heated arguments in the past from anti-UV-protective-filter advocates implying that they are scratch-proof 
Interesting as to the origins of that viewfinder coating. There were a lot of complaints during the run of the M4-P to M6TTL about viewfinder flare-out. At the time of the M6TTL the internet forums were just getting into swing, so a whole group of Leica users suddenly realized that many people had the same complaint, and Leica I guess felt they could no longer slough it off. So when the M7 came out it was touted to have a "solution", which turned out to be that coating. It didn't do squat for the flare-out, and a year later when the MP came out Leica had revised a couple parts inside the rangefinder. Shortly they put those into effect in the M7 too, and offered anyone who had bought an M7 in the first year to upgrade...for $285! despite all those cameras had 3 yr passports and were in-warranty (US). Somehow the AR coating stayed, and is present on the M8 (and probably M9) as well, even though it really doesn't do much.
My 40 year old M4's have no such coating, but they do have the pre-costcutting rangefinder parts that were added back to the MP. Those old cameras (well beaten BTW) have no scratches on their un-coated finder windows.
Interesting as to the origins of that viewfinder coating. There were a lot of complaints during the run of the M4-P to M6TTL about viewfinder flare-out. At the time of the M6TTL the internet forums were just getting into swing, so a whole group of Leica users suddenly realized that many people had the same complaint, and Leica I guess felt they could no longer slough it off. So when the M7 came out it was touted to have a "solution", which turned out to be that coating. It didn't do squat for the flare-out, and a year later when the MP came out Leica had revised a couple parts inside the rangefinder. Shortly they put those into effect in the M7 too, and offered anyone who had bought an M7 in the first year to upgrade...for $285! despite all those cameras had 3 yr passports and were in-warranty (US). Somehow the AR coating stayed, and is present on the M8 (and probably M9) as well, even though it really doesn't do much.
My 40 year old M4's have no such coating, but they do have the pre-costcutting rangefinder parts that were added back to the MP. Those old cameras (well beaten BTW) have no scratches on their un-coated finder windows.
furcafe
Veteran
Are the RF & VF windows on the MP flush w/the camera front? 1 factor protecting the VF & RF window glass on the M4 & earlier models (not sure about the M4-P as I've never handled 1) is that the VF glass is recessed a bit from the front of the camera, unlike the M6, M6 TTL, & M7.
swoop
Well-known
Purchased my M7 new in 2004. Has dust inside the viewfinder. No scratches.
Purchased my M8 new in 2007. Has two minor scratches on the viewfinder. No dust.
They're small issues and don't affect focus or viewing quality at all. But after awhile you just learn to deal with it.
Purchased my M8 new in 2007. Has two minor scratches on the viewfinder. No dust.
They're small issues and don't affect focus or viewing quality at all. But after awhile you just learn to deal with it.
wjlapier
Well-known
Looks like it's flushed to the front surface but there is a tiny amount recessed.
I use my MP alot and so far no scratches on the VFer window, but I'm not about to break out my loupe to see if there are microscopic ones. If you can see through it and it works fine I'd just get used to it.
Reminds me of the first bit of brass showing on my MP. I'd look at it and look at it, but eventually stopped and now I mostly forget about it.
Great camera
Tim Gray
Well-known
Don't rub sand on it I clean mine with my shirt all the time and have no scratches. I'm more careful with my lenses though - I rub the UV filters on them with my shirt all the time
I clean mine with my shirt all the time and have no scratches. I'm more careful with my lenses though - I rub the UV filters on them with my shirt all the time 
peter_n
Veteran
No scratches on either of my MP's finders - yet. One is 4 yrs old and the other 2 yrs old.
ZoomP
Well-known
Thanks for the posts guys. I do understand that it's not completely scratch proof, but I am surprised how easily it got scratched. Didn't bring it out to any rough places and it stays in my dry box or bag all the time. I just want to know if there's anyway to protect to prevent further scratches.
Oh well, will learn to live with it. Guess it's her first battle scar. Only problem is I've no idea how she got scratched in the first place.
Oh well, will learn to live with it. Guess it's her first battle scar. Only problem is I've no idea how she got scratched in the first place.
s124am
Member
you said you cleaned it with water. maybe try cleaning it with lens cleaner or somthing that will remove oil. maybe it is dirty but water doesnt remove oil(finger oil)
just a thought....
just a thought....
ZoomP
Well-known
I doubt it's oil but will try anyway. Thanks.
Turtle
Veteran
no scratches on mine so far. shot happens. I one bought a brand new watch with sapphire crystal face and a week later walked past a column in a shopping centre and heard a quiet 'screetch' as my arm passed the column. I had obviously made contact, but had not felt it. I looked down to see that I had what looked like an engraved cut right across the face, deep into the glass. I looked at the column and it was covered with fragments of stones, such as quartz or something, that was sharp edged. **** happens. I think that watch was cursed, because someone dropped a bowl of cereal on the face some years later, cracking it so it lost its seal. For years I used the scratched and cracked watch, taking it off for showers etc. Finally I got the face replaced but the service agent forgot to re-seal the watch and when I went swimming it literally filled right up with water and died. Its a shame....