RF can`t be adjusted to infinity ....

[maddoc]

After some time I have used my Noctilux again and all what I got were photos showing severe front focus. It was my M4-2, which had been sent out for service (35mm frame lines did not appear anymore) in autumn of last year. I got curious and found that infinity was way off but didn`t realize this problem earlier since I used the camera mostly at 2m distance setting and with 35mm lenses stopped down. For occasionally out of focus photos I blamed my technique.

Now the problem is, I tried to adjust infinity (the outermost eccentric screw in the cam follower) but wasn`t able to do so. With a lens (any lens that I tested) set to infinity I was not able to adjust the RF correspondingly.

I then went to Leica Ginza (Tokyo) last Saturday and asked if they could have a look and adjust the RF of my M4-2. When I returned to pick up the camera I was told that also the technician wasn`t able to adjust infinity, that something must be out of specs and the camera would have to be sent to Leica Wetzlar for repair. I was quoted about JPY 150000 (about US$ 1270) for that repair if a new VF/RF is required ....

Now I was wondering if the adjustment problem might be solved by adjusting the relative travel distance of the RF arm (the second screw with an eccentric washer) first and then infinity ?

I would need some ground glass to check also close focus and would be interested to hear if anybody has adjusted the RF of his M Leica this way?

 

[bucs]

1250$ for rf adjustment?! You could buy a new M4-2 with that.

With mine though I was able to successfully adjust by turning those two screws you mentioned. Be careful though because you might mess it up completely

 

[maddoc]

1250$ for rf adjustment?! You could buy a new M4-2 with that.

With mine though I was able to successfully adjust by turning those two screws you mentioned. Be careful though because you might mess it up completely

That was my idea behind the DIY attempt, it can`t get much worse. I will give it a try. 🙂

 

[Range-rover]

Wow that's a lot, when I had my Leica's I adjusted them myself. There's two places
to adjust them between the rangefinder window's and at the lens mount the coupling
arm if you guy's call it that, unless there's a mirror out of alignment or something else.


Range

 

[maddoc]

That price is insane.

I have a similar problem with an M4 and Malcolm Taylor told me that it is probably due to the optics in the RF assembly that have moved... YMMV

OK, that would indicate a new VF/RF unit is needed and explain the price. For sure not a DIY job.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

So, you can't reach infinity (collide two images) with eccentric screw adjustment.
It was reported here and I also have this problem with my M4-2 after it was dropped off on the sidewalk. Same problem, same cure, I can't be 100% correct in description, but something needs to be shifted back in RF assembly, prism or something. It wasn't very expensive.
But maybe your problem is more complicated.

 

[Flat Twin]

Hmmm, that sounds familiar. It happened to my M4-2 about three years ago. The RF went out of distance alignment after being in a motorcycle tank top bag. It was impossible to set infinity focus.

I sent it to Malcolm Taylor and he repaired/rectified the problem quickly and inexpensively. Trouble is, I cannot remember what the issue was now so perhaps not too helpful??!!

Try contacting Don Goldburg or similar and ask advice and then go from there. I'm pretty sure it'll be repairable without the need for a new V/F.

Regards

Simon

 

[rlouzan]

How about asking Lumiere camera?

 

[maddoc]

Thanks for all the information and advices! As I understand it from the comments here it seems not a so uncommon problem and a cheaper, professional repair might be possible. if indeed some slightly shifted optics inside the VF/RF cause it then it should be adjustable.

I am going to write Don from DAG an email later this day and ask him if he can have a look and repair it.

 

[jonmanjiro]

How about asking Lumiere camera?

This is worth considering, Gabor. Beats shipping the camera half way around the world. I know of another member here who got his M2 fully CLA'd by Takahashi-San at Lumiere recently for 33,000 yen, and he is very happy with the work. Takahashi-San also once told me he's worked on over 1000 Leica cameras in his career so far, so he's got plenty of experience.

 

[maddoc]

This is worth considering, Gabor. Beats shipping the camera half way around the world. I know of another member here who got his M2 fully CLA'd by Takahashi-San at Lumiere recently for 33,000 yen, and he is very happy with the work. Takahashi-San also once told me he's worked on over 1000 Leica cameras in his career so far, so he's got plenty of experience.

Jon, great tip! I didn`t know that Takahashi-san does such kind of work also. I will drop him an email and ask.

 

[micromoogman]

There are more adjustment points under the top cover which are affecting the geometry much more than the roller adjustment. I've done this to a couple of M-cameras that have been dropped on the ground.

 

[maddoc]

There are more adjustment points under the top cover which are affecting the geometry much more than the roller adjustment. I've done this to a couple of M-cameras that have been dropped on the ground.

Could you point me to some more information about this? Something like a short manual about those adjustment points ?

 

[micromoogman]

Could you point me to some more information about this? Something like a short manual about those adjustment points ?

Read these pages.

 

[David Hughes]

Read these pages.

Wow! I didn't know that existed. Can you give it a title and ISBN number, please?

Regards, David

 

[micromoogman]

It's one of the classics, "Leica camera repair handbook", Thomas Tomosoy, Amhurst Media. ISBN:0-936262-87-7

 

[maddoc]

Wow! I didn't know that existed. Can you give it a title and ISBN number, please?

Regards, David

It reminds me of the "LEICA CAMERA REPAIR HANDBOOK", ISBN-13 978-0936262871

EDIT: micromoogman beat me to it. I have that book but bought if for a different purpose so wasn`t aware of that chapter. I will read it carefully and then decide.

 

[micromoogman]

This is easier to see what it's about. From a M6 but M4-2 is the same. No.1 is the point to start with. Rotate the small "lens" either way to see what way you're going. Normalize the extreme setting at the focusing arm first so you can fine tune it there. I made a small tool tool for that lens, don't use a plier.

 

[Range-rover]

That's great info on the Leica.

Range

 

[David Hughes]

Hi,

Thank you both.

I'll try and resist the temptation because I'd only ruin the camera but/otoh it's always nice to see how they work and understand a little more.

Regards, David