phc Posted November 25, 2008 Share #1 Posted November 25, 2008 Advertisement (gone after registration) The vertical alignment of my M7 has gone again, and I reckon the best thing I can do is get the adjuster so I can keep it aligned myself in future. Only one problem remains - how do I get the Leica badge, under which the adjustment screw lurks, off the front of the camera? Has anyone done this? Is there a trick? Cheers, P. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted November 25, 2008 Posted November 25, 2008 Hi phc, Take a look here Rangefinder Vertical Alignment Adjustment. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
bill Posted November 25, 2008 Share #2 Posted November 25, 2008 Paul, received wisdom is that the dot is only held on by glue. work at it with a couple of matchsticks either side of the Leica script, working it to and fro in a circular motion, and you should be able to loosen, then free it. Regards, Bill Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kenneth Posted November 25, 2008 Share #3 Posted November 25, 2008 Sounds very scary to me and was it not the original poster who said Leica cameras are like a good Swiss watch. I certainly would not attempt to tamper with my Explorer 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
phc Posted November 26, 2008 Author Share #4 Posted November 26, 2008 In my view, if you're working with a camera in the middle of nowhere, and certainly miles away from the nearest Leica technician, you should be able to perform basic alignment and repairs. Would you want to abandon a trip just because you couldn't carry out a quick adjustment in the field? Or come home with all your pictures taken with estimated focus? I think this kind of thing is what NASA used to call 'mission critical', and it's irresponsible of Leica to make the adjustment so complicated. There are two possible reasons why they would do this - they believe that once the rangefinder is properly set up it shouldn't need re-alignment in normal use, or they want to make sure their dealer network gets any work that's going. This particular M7 only came back from Solms a couple of months ago, so everything should have been present and correct. It hasn't been dropped or banged, so shouldn't have gone out of alignment, and I can't afford to be without it for another few weeks just because it needs an adjustment that takes 5 minutes. Solution: buy the tool and do it myself. Cheers, P. PS: Thanks Bill - I'll try that when the tool arrives. Are you supposed to glue it back in afterwards? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
marknorton Posted November 26, 2008 Share #5 Posted November 26, 2008 Toothpicks/cocktail sticks are better because of their sharpened end. The red dots are much as you'd expect, thin aluminium, painted, with a self-adhesive backing; for Leica, they're a disposable service item costing pennies and you can buy/beg for spares from your importer, though the last time I did, they wanted the old one back, presumably to prevent these things floating around. There should be enough "stick" to allow the dot to be replaced without extra glue and the cosmetic appearance is more likely to give up after being removed before the glue does. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shootist Posted November 26, 2008 Share #6 Posted November 26, 2008 I've had many different M cameras and in my experience once the vertical alignment is correct it rarely goes out. Now if it is knocked around, set down really hard or banged on the bottom or top, then the vertical may get knocked out of alignment. With the older models you adjusted it with a screw driver and once it was set it stayed that way. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shootist Posted November 26, 2008 Share #7 Posted November 26, 2008 Advertisement (gone after registration) buy the tool and do it myself. Cheers, P. PS: Thanks Bill - I'll try that when the tool arrives. Are you supposed to glue it back in afterwards? Did you buy the tool from Leica?? If so what did you pay for it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
phc Posted November 26, 2008 Author Share #8 Posted November 26, 2008 Yes - why did they go away from the standard screw I wonder? I'm sourcing the special tool currently. Not cheap, considering it's just a glorified screwdriver. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shootist Posted November 26, 2008 Share #9 Posted November 26, 2008 Yes - why did they go away from the standard screw I wonder? I'm sourcing the special tool currently. Not cheap, considering it's just a glorified screwdriver. It because of the redesign of the rangefinder. If the M4-2 to the MP/M7 is like the M8 the position of the frame lines has changed from facing forward, M3/M2 (Not sure about the M4 or M5) to facing sideways. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shac Posted November 28, 2008 Share #10 Posted November 28, 2008 Paul - have you seen this? M6 Vertical Adjustment DIY Special. Enjoy. - Photo.net Leica and Rangefinders Forum it might help when the tool arrives David Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
phc Posted November 29, 2008 Author Share #11 Posted November 29, 2008 Thanks David - interesting indeed. Looks a little scary with the top plate off though! P. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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