Rangefinder adjustment: Leica II

[Andrea Taurisano]

Hi folks.

Does anyone know how to do a vertical adjustment on a 1932 Leica II? Mine was off both horizontally and vertically.

The horizontal adjustment was a piece of cake: No need to take the camera apart, just remove the screw next to the viewfinder window on the front, insert a tiny screw driver where the screw was, and adjust an invisible screw that lies deep in there.

But I can't find any tutorials or instructions about the vertical alignment, nor do I see where the adjustment screw can possibly be, once the top cover is removed and the rangefinder piece exposed.

Cheers

Andrea

 

[raydm6]

I'm not sure if the IIIa is similar to the II, but this article explains the vertical RF adjustment on the IIIa:
http://tunnel13.com/blog/leica-iiia-cla-and-repair/

remove the screw between the RF round windows and remove the two round front RF windows. The right one (red arrow) may or may not come off in two pieces. mine came off in one piece. The left window (yellow arrows) should come off in two pieces, the outer ring and the inner window that also adjusts the vertical RF view. Use a spanner to remove it’s outer ring, the inner spanner slots adjust the RF. If your RF vertical view is already correct there should be no need to adjust it later

 

[Erik van Straten]

Vertical alignment is done with the left round glass on the front of the camera. That is actually a prism. Yes, the one with the yellow arrow on the picture above. The prism turns in its round frame. The turning must be done with pair of pliers with two sharp points. When the correct position is found, the chrome ring must be replaced.

Good luck, in fact it is easy if the prism turns, if it doesn't, a very small drop of oil will help.

Erik.

 

[Andrea Taurisano]

Wow, thanks! That seems to have done it! Now I had to re-do the horizontal too, cause rotating that vertical alignment prism also affects the horizontal alignment (it doesn't just move the RF-image up & down, but it sends on a rotating movement). Thanks again.

(still I'll have to send it to a repair man, though, as the RF-image is extremely dim... but now at least usable)

 

[raydm6]

Glad it worked out.

By the way, you have a nice website and interesting images.

I'm not sure you are aware, but your URL needs to be edited. For some reason, it picked up the RFF URL. Right now your signature website URL address is - http://rangefinderforum.com/forums/www.ilcimento.com

You need to remove the rangefinderforum.com/forums/ part for it to work correctly. https://www.ilcimento.com/

Good luck.

 

[Erik van Straten]

the RF-image is extremely dim

Nobbysparrow used to sell strange pieces of double coated glass that could be used as a rangefinder-mirror in an old Leica, but he seems to have quit his business. This is a terrible loss for the Leica world.

https://www.ebay.de/sch/i.html?_dmd...ow&store_cat=0&store_name=nobbysparrow&_oac=1

Erik.

 

[Andrea Taurisano]

I'm not sure you are aware, but your URL needs to be edited. For some reason, it picked up the RFF URL. Right now your signature website URL address is - http://rangefinderforum.com/forums/www.ilcimento.com

You need to remove the rangefinderforum.com/forums/ part for it to work correctly. https://www.ilcimento.com/

Thanks. To be honest, I didn't even know that I still had a URL. I don't see any below my own posts (on the Mac), but now I just checked on my mobile, and there I do see it, with a wrong URL even though in my profile it seems to be set correctly. Mysteries to me..

 

[Andrea Taurisano]

Nobbysparrow used to sell strange pieces of double coated glass that could be used as a rangefinder-mirror in an old Leica, but he seems to have quit his business. This is a terrible loss for the Leica world.

https://www.ebay.de/sch/i.html?_dmd...ow&store_cat=0&store_name=nobbysparrow&_oac=1

Erik.

I know, terrible. I was actually wondering if these half-mirrors would do..

 

[Erik van Straten]

I hope they do, thanks for the tip, but do they fit in a Leica? Can they be cut precisely?

Erik.

 

[Andrea Taurisano]

It needs to be cut to size by using a glass cutting tool (cheaply avalable around). Better buy one, they have a few left, worth trying.. for the price being.

 

[Dralowid]

I think (emphasise the word 'think') that half mirrored glass is used in some digital projectors. I saw inside one in our local refuse centre's recycling bin.

I could be wrong but it is worth looking into sometime. I wonder what this is?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/27466010...rand=Unbranded&_trksid=p2334524.c100667.m2042

 

[Erik van Straten]

Thank you, Michael, but the exact size is very important; that was Nobu's speciality. Try to cut this stuff this precise without damaging it ...

Erik.

 

[Sarcophilus Harrisii]

Nobbysparrow used to sell strange pieces of double coated glass that could be used as a rangefinder-mirror in an old Leica, but he seems to have quit his business. This is a terrible loss for the Leica world.

https://www.ebay.de/sch/i.html?_dmd...ow&store_cat=0&store_name=nobbysparrow&_oac=1

Erik.

Hi Erik,
As far as I know Nobu isn't going to stop supplying rangefinder parts. But he's always used Japan Post to ship overseas. Late last year they ceased accepting mail for many overseas destinations. Rather than sending his small items via more expensive services, he's paused his listings until JP resume accepting items.

I've been in contact with him a few times this year. Most recently, I'd purchased a tidy 1942 IIIc. But it came with a post war diopter lever. Nobu kindly checked his parts and found a correct one for me (his last one I think). Nothing he's said gives me cause to think he's lost interest in supplying his invaluable parts.
Cheers,
Brett

 

[Erik van Straten]

Thank you, Brett, good news! I'm hoping and hoping. Thanks again!

Erik.

 

[Dralowid]

Cutting the mirror is fiddly but I have done it in the past. I have a III that has a mirror in it cut down from an old junk Hanimex camera many years ago. Not sure if my eyes would be up to doing it again!

 

[Andrea Taurisano]

Given a spare mirror that's about twice the size it needs to be, I wonder if - rather than cutting it - it's possible to carefully grind it to size by using the glass & stone accessory for Dremel. I may give it a try when the mirror arrives (safety goggles on!).

 

[JoeV]

Given a spare mirror that's about twice the size it needs to be, I wonder if - rather than cutting it - it's possible to carefully grind it to size by using the glass & stone accessory for Dremel. I may give it a try when the mirror arrives (safety goggles on!).

Use a stained glass wet-grinding machine, they can be had from craft stores that sell stained glass supplies.

 

[Erik van Straten]

Use a stained glass wet-grinding machine, they can be had from craft stores that sell stained glass supplies.

But the substance in this case (Nobu) is not glass, but a glass-like kind of plastic. It is the coating that is all important and this scratches very easy. It is better to have it cut by Nobu, believe me.

Erik.

 

[Sarcophilus Harrisii]

Nobbysparrow used to sell strange pieces of double coated glass that could be used as a rangefinder-mirror in an old Leica, but he seems to have quit his business. This is a terrible loss for the Leica world.

https://www.ebay.de/sch/i.html?_dmd...ow&store_cat=0&store_name=nobbysparrow&_oac=1

Erik.

Erik,
good news. Nobu has re-commenced selling parts via his eBay listings. The postage might be a little more than before, however I ordered some small items today, and delivery to me in Australia was a very reasonable USD 8.00.

 

[Erik van Straten]

Erik,
good news. Nobu has re-commenced selling parts via his eBay listings. The postage might be a little more than before, however I ordered some small items today, and delivery to me in Australia was a very reasonable USD 8.00.

Thank you, Brett, but I was already aware of this! I've ordered some of these mirrors and installed them with great succes. Nobu has two kinds of mirrors, the best are the double colored ones. The other kind looks more like the original silvered mirrors from Leitz. I very much prefer the two-colored ones. These are outstandingly good in a Leica II, giving a marvelous contrast. In a Leica III they are very good too, but then they are slightly less contrasty. The image however is then enlarged.

Installing them however is not easy. First glue the mirror (with two component glue) with an accuracy of 100% into the little frame (metal wedge) after removing the old mirror. The new mirror must stay perfectly clean. Then, by turning the left exit window (the optical wedge) and the horizontal adjustment of the rangefinder (under the little screw next to the viewfinder exit window), try to position the image of the mirror. That too must be done with an accuracy of 100%.

Good luck!

Erik.