My "new" M4. A problem? Help!

[steveyork]

On an impulse, I purchased an M4 from that auction site. I wanted to experience the enlarged 50mm framelines (they are bigger!). I probably shouldn't have done this, because my experience with old cameras and lenses has not been good (they take a lot of $$ to get up and running and to keep going).

I have three issues with this M4, and I don't know if they just part of the camera design, or whether something needs adjustment or replacement.

1. The viewfinder is a little dimmer then current model Ms. I know this is part of being older, but will a CLA likely brighten things up?

2. Under certain conditions (i.e, when the camera is pointed to a light source) there is a ghost image to the side that doesn't go away with focusing.

3. When focusing, the image doesn't snap together with the same degree of authority as a current model M. There seems to be a greater degree of uncertainty as to whether something is in focus. It takes a little longer to make sure something is in focus, and just from fooling around in my house, I have to get closer to the subject. This may all be part of #1 above.

Anyway, I must decide whether to put $$ into the camera or pass it on. Any insight to these issues will be helpful. Thanks in advance.

 

[SimonSawSunlight]

On an impulse, I purchased an M4 from that auction site. I wanted to experience the enlarged 50mm framelines (they are bigger!). I probably shouldn't have done this, because my experience with old cameras and lenses has not been good (they take a lot of $$ to get up and running and to keep going).

I have three issues with this M4, and I don't know if they just part of the camera design, or whether something needs adjustment or replacement.

1. The viewfinder is a little dimmer then current model Ms. I know this is part of being older, but will a CLA likely brighten things up?

2. Under certain conditions (i.e, when the camera is pointed to a light source) there is a ghost image to the side that doesn't go away with focusing.

3. When focusing, the image doesn't snap together with the same degree of authority as a current model M. There seems to be a greater degree of uncertainty as to whether something is in focus. It takes a little longer to make sure something is in focus, and just from fooling around in my house, I have to get closer to the subject. This may all be part of #1 above.

Anyway, I must decide whether to put $$ into the camera or pass it on. Any insight to these issues will be helpful. Thanks in advance.

1. my M4's finder is at least as bright as every newer or older M's finder I have seen.

2.I have only experienced the faint duplication of a light source with very bright spots in a very dark environment, I think it's a matter of viewfinder design and normal for an M (I believe I remember having seen this on an M6 first, but I can be mistaken). nothing bad, really

3. you should have your rangefinder adjusted, vertically and horizontally (you can do it yourself). if that doesn't help, 1. is probably the problem 🙂

 

[dogberryjr]

I think 1 and 3 are connected. I had an M4 whose viewfinder seemed just fine to me, but the shutter speeds were messed up. I sent it in for CLA and the camera I got back put the old one to shame. The viewfinder- which I thought fine before sending it out- was now at least 50% brighter.

 

[Ljós]

"Snap" and vertical alignment

"Snap" and vertical alignment

I agree with the posters above, and outlining a bit what Simon said ("vertically and horizontally"): try to focus (as close as your lens allows) on a small, pointlight source, for example the ready light (or LED) of a stereo deck etc... with a vertically aligned rangefinder, there will come a point where the primary and secondary point of light merge into one, and contrast "pops". With a vertically misaligned finder, you will be able to align the points horizontally, but you will never get the impression of a perfect overlap. If you focus on a even, straight vertical line (doorframe etc.), this vertical misalignment will not be as noticeable, but when you want to focus on the highlight in a human eye, it can be bothersome and you may lose time getting it right, and your focus might be less precise.
A vertical misalignment does not (necessarily) mean the horizontal alignment is off - but it is less comfortable to get the focus right.
Hope that helps.
All the best,
Ljós

 

[Pirate]

My "new" M4's viewfinder is pretty good. A little darker then what the eye sees but still very good.
My focus was off so I adjusted it myself. Wasn't to hard. I used the farthest thing I could find and then used a carefully measured 1-meter mark as this is the minimum focus distance on my lens. Just for extra fun, I measured out 2-meters and put the focus ring marker on it and it came out real close. The 1-meter mark and something really far away (moon....) is what did it for me.

 

[SimonSawSunlight]

My "new" M4's viewfinder is pretty good. A little darker then what the eye sees but still very good.
My focus was off so I adjusted it myself. Wasn't to hard. I used the farthest thing I could find and then used a carefully measured 1-meter mark as this is the minimum focus distance on my lens. Just for extra fun, I measured out 2-meters and put the focus ring marker on it and it came out real close. The 1-meter mark and something really far away (moon....) is what did it for me.

yes. be sure to use a lens were the distance marks are where they are supposed to. 🙄

 

[Ben Z]

I have 2 M4's, the rangefinder/viewfinders are bright and clear, no ghosts, no white-out, no flare. In fact I sold my MP and 2 M6's and kept the M4's because from all aspects important to me, they were the best. From what it sounds, you've got some haze inside the viewfinder optics, that an overhaul should get rid of. Both mine were overhauled by DAG and he did a perfect job. Even all the shutter speeds are within a 10% margin.

 

[Pirate]

yes. be sure to use a lens were the distance marks are where they are supposed to. 🙄

That doesn't exactly work. When turned all the way to the shortest setting, which is a "1" for "1-meter", it goes just past the center dot. But it's the new CV 50mm Nokton F/1.1 which the specs say has a close distance of 1-meter, so I measured out one meter exactly and rolled the focus all the way down.

 

[Pirate]

And you can always sell it to me if you decide you don't want it anymore....

 

[Oh Two]

M4 report

M4 report

My M4 I have had since new and is most definitely brighter than my M6 in the viewfinder.
If the rest of the camera is good, I would pay for adjustment and cleaning.
The prisms are held in with glue that doesn't age well when exposed to giant swings in humidity and temperature.