Very bright rangefinder

[hector_jorge]

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Sometimes, when I take outdoor pictures in very sunny days, I see an extremely bright rangefinder rectangle in my M3 with an M6J rangefinder replacement, that doesn`t allow to see the two rangefinder images to be focused. In the same situation, my M4 and M6TTL rangefinder`s image remains clear so I can see the image inside the rangefinder rectangle with all its details like in the rest of the viewfinder area.

Is it normal? I guess that it may be because the M3 doesn`t have the same frosted rangefinder window than the M4 and M6TTL. Can I have any solution?.

Thanks for suggestions.

Hector.

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[Guest Ron (Netherlands)]

I guess you are experiencing the typically 'whitening out' of the rangefinder patch in bright light situations. This is due because of the rangefinder construction: as from the M4-2 until most M6's Leica included a rangefinder with ommitance of a lens part (sort of diffuser) in order - as is assumed - to reduce costs. Even some M7's have that rangefinder installed. Later models were fitted with the so called upgraded or MP rangefinder and do not have that problem. With your original M3 rangefinder, you probably wouldn't have that problem. But as far as I know most M6's as the M6J suffer from this 'cheap' rangfinder constuction, i.e. only in strong light situations.

 

Here you find a nice article about rangefinder constructions and rangefinder flare (whitening or washing out) : http://www.imx.nl/photo/technique/technique/page49.html

[jc_braconi]

I see an extremely bright rangefinder rectangle in my M3 with an M6J rangefinder replacement,

On the M3 the first glass illuminating the viewfinder on the top cover is flat whithout anti flare crests like on the M4 and so on.

This is the cause about phenomenon you describe, may be.

[echorec]

I have seen this on many M6 cameras. Quite annoying when it happens. I think the early M7s has this problem too.

[hector_jorge]

I guess you are experiencing the typically 'whitening out' of the rangefinder patch in bright light situations. This is due because of the rangefinder construction: as from the M4-2 until most M6's Leica included a rangefinder with ommitance of a lens part (sort of diffuser) in order - as is assumed - to reduce costs. Even some M7's have that rangefinder installed. Later models were fitted with the so called upgraded or MP rangefinder and do not have that problem. With your original M3 rangefinder, you probably wouldn't have that problem. But as far as I know most M6's as the M6J suffer from this 'cheap' rangfinder constuction, i.e. only in strong light situations.

 

Here you find a nice article about rangefinder constructions and rangefinder flare (whitening or washing out) : rangefinder issues

 

Many thanks for your answer.

It is very interesting the article that allows me to understand the origin of the "whitening out" of the rangefinder patch. Anyway, I can´t understand why Leica offers me a "cheap" rangefinder when I pay €1000.- for it, and not an actual model with the whitening problem solved. Maybe they have a lot of unsaleable M6J rangefinders replacement parts and need to make money with them. When Leica Customer Service told me that the rangefinder of my M3 must be changed, they didn´t said nothing neither about another model of rangefinder replacement nor about the rangefinder whitening that I was buying.

I feel that they must said me something about the differences between the two rangefinders that of course, I didn´t know at that time.

[cbretteville]

I had DAG upgrade the RF in my M6 to what is called the "MP-finder" last year. It is like a completely different camera now and behaves like my M8. The improved RF optics were (re-)introduced with the MP and it was a warranty upgrade for early M7s. It can be retro fitted in Ms at least from the M4-P and later, probably in the M4-2 as well. I've never seen this issue with my M3.

Carl

[andybarton]

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Are you sure this was a warranty upgrade, Carl? My M7, an early one, went back for the DX code reader upgrade, but I'm pretty sure they didn't upgrade the viewfinder. That said, I've never had a problem with mine.

[harryzet]

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[lars_bergquist]

No M2 or later finder can be fitted to the M3, because they are very different designs, optically and mechanically. Therefore, a deteriorating M3 rangefinder is a troublesome problem, and it will become increasingly troublesome in the future. Remember, even the last M3 cameras are close to half a century old now. I hear that there are repairmen who can recondition a finder, but I have no address -- I don't have the problem, because my oldest Leica as of now is from 1983!

 

The old man from the Age of the M3

[earleygallery]

I read elsewhere that the OP had a new M6 rangefinder fitted to his M3 by Leica. But why wouldn't they have fitted the newer flare resistant version? Maybe some design issue?

[hector_jorge]

I read elsewhere that the OP had a new M6 rangefinder fitted to his M3 by Leica. But why wouldn't they have fitted the newer flare resistant version? Maybe some design issue?

 

That is exactly the kind of question I made myself when I read the very interesting comments about my problem, in this thread.

[jc_braconi]

No M2 or later finder can be fitted to the M3, because they are very different designs, optically and mechanically.

You have read here that it is not true.

[earleygallery]

Indeed, it would appear that the M6J finder is unique in some way, in being able to fit the M3. In this case Hector, I would be happy that it's better than the other option of using the M3 sans finder! Leica M6J