strange RF patch problem

Vintage35

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Oct 22, 2013
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Location
Phoenix, Oregon
I got this 1937 Contax II and the RF patch seemed off (horizontal only), when I focus to infinity the patch would stop shy of being good. I followed the Kiev Survival site instructions. I was going to try the "simple fix" and proceeded to take the front plate off, removed the front glass from the left side and looked through the RF and it was perfect, I didn't do anything...

I put it back together,... thinking there must have been some excess pressure on the left side "RF compensator", I didn't screw the front plate mount screws on the left side too tight, it was still fine. I tighten down the plate screws more and it was off again. I loosened the screws, it was fine, I tightened the screws again but this time it is fine.

What could be wrong? the two screws under the compensator are tight. It only has the two FR compensator mount screws, not 4 screws like in the pictures on the Kiev Survival Site
 
A long shot, I recall that as you face the camera from the lens board side, one of the left hand screws is shorter than the others try checking that. It is possible that the short length is to avoid fouling the rangefinder mechanism. Bon chance.
 
I think Kevcaster may have hit the mark. The screws next to the rangefinder window are very much shorter than those on the viewfinder window side. If longer screws were fitted on the rangefinder side they would certainly foul the swinging prism at the infinity end.

As luck would have it, I have a couple of Kievs dismantled in front of me as I write, so I have included an image of the screws in question!

kiev_screws.jpg

 
I think Kevcaster may have hit the mark. The screws next to the rangefinder window are very much shorter than those on the viewfinder window side. If longer screws were fitted on the rangefinder side they would certainly foul the swinging prism at the infinity end.

As luck would have it, I have a couple of Kievs dismantled in front of me as I write, so I have included an image of the screws in question!

kiev_screws.jpg


I'll try that. as it was, upon removing the face plate, I found 1 short screw in the upper right and bottom right (below lens). It seemed correct as the top right has a beveled corner and I assumed a longer screw would foul and the bottom right goes right into the frame casting (as opposed to the bottom left going through another plate before going into the frame casting) Thanks
 
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