Rangefinder Mis-alignment

[Steve_F]

Hi all,
I've been playing with my M6 ttl and think the rangefinder may be out vertically. I'm not talking massively, it barely noticeable but when I look at text (black on white) there is almost a 'shimmer' effect -not ghost).
It's apparent also when trying to focus on fine detail such as eyelashes.
Leica UK say it should be crystal clear and I also have a a 'Photopia' hotshoe rangefinder attachment my father used over 40 years ago (he now uses a DSLR!). The clarity on this is better than the M6 finder on the same text.
Is there a knack to moving your eye around or a 'sweet-spot' I haven't found yet'

Advice appreciated as I'm thinking of asking for a refund. They have said to send it in to be looked at but as a consumer I'm pretty fed up of things not being RIGHT!!!:bang:


Steve.

 

[coelacanth]

Sorry to hear about the problem with your purchase. I am no expert, but there should not be such thing as "sweet spot" and you should be able to see the double image perfectly aligned vertically without much of effort.

Now, my understanding is that You need a dedicated tool (some people DYI'd the tool) and you need to remove/replace the red Leica/Leitz dot to perform vertical alignment adjustment.

http://nemeng.com/leica/034b.shtml

Does your M6 work/look all good other than the vertical alignment? If it does, maybe that's worth keeping (or ask for price adjustment). When the camera needs a CLA at some point in the future, the repairman should be able to adjust the alignment in a minute.

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

Rangefinder vertical misalignment is a very easy fix ad a very common one. Just let them fix it. It is not a sign that the camera is worn out or abused. They all go out of adjustment occasionally.

 

[coelacanth]

P.S.

As Chris suggested, the adjustment itself is very easy to do. Only thing that keeps people away from doing it yourself on M6, M7, M8 and probably M9 (not sure about MP) is the need of the special tool which costs $250 unless you modify a common tool and DYI the tool yourself.

Also you'll probably need another leica dot that coves the hole as the one on camera now most likely gets damaged when you remove it.

All obstacles above shouldn't be a problem for any leica technicians with resources.

 

[Steve_F]

Thanks for the advice guys.
I'm going to send it in and get them to fix it under the six-month guarantee they offer.
I'm waiting for my first roll of film back for light-tightness and exposure accuracy.
It really is in perfect condition and would be a shame to let it go.

(Must get my DNA anaylsed - certain I've some fiery (passionate) Mediterranean in it somewhere down the line 😉)

 

[LChanyungco]

if you want to get adventurous :

http://cgi.ebay.com/Vertical-Line-F...27a7a27871&_trksid=p3911.c0.m14#ht_2083wt_902

 

[payasam]

If you can have it set right under guarantee, excellent. If not, it is a trivial matter which can be ignored, because your camera can take fine pictures all the same.

 

[Treb]

Also you'll probably need another leica dot that coves the hole as the one on camera now most likely gets damaged when you remove it.

I used a piece of sticky tape to remove the red dot, worked great and I could reuse the red dot.

 

[ferider]

if you want to get adventurous :

http://cgi.ebay.com/Vertical-Line-F...27a7a27871&_trksid=p3911.c0.m14#ht_2083wt_902

That tool works well. From Zhou, who also does the Zhou case line.

Correct vertical alignment is important to get a "snap" when you get into focus. And a DIY procedure allows you to not baby your Leica too much .... In other words, don't send it in, learn how to do it, sooner or later you will have to do it again.

Roland.

 

[payasam]

As always, Roland, you are right. I have more experience than most of lining up two horizontally staggered eye highlights, that's all.

 

[Steve_F]

I would learn to do it myself but it comes with a guarantee for 6 months that I don't wish to 'void'. (this adjustment should be free)
Once the guarantee expires I will teach myself.

I'm a little confused though, as Leica UK said about the top coming off and mirrors being out of adjustment too.....

Any suggestions?


Steve.

 

[Treb]

Vertical mis-alignment can be adjusted with the top cover on. Only the dot needs to be removed. On earlier M camera's there's a screw in the front that closes off the access hole. I wouldn't let anyone yank the top cover off after first having checked if realignment is possible using the access hole behind the dot.

For a competent Leica tech rangefinder realignment should pose no problem and should be an easy and quick fix.