hunz Posted July 20, 2011 Share #1 Â Posted July 20, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) I have recently received a M3 DS. Looking through the viewfinder it looks pretty clear except the viewfinder patch in the centre has tiny spots, what looks like tiny rust spots. Have you seen this before and know what might have caused this? -- maybe humidity and moisture? Â Is this easy to clean/fix, and how much. Or is this a case of a complete rangefinder replacement? Â Is this the dreaded M3 viewfinder separation? Â Any feedback appreciated. Also any photos of viewfinder separation anyone, so I can check if its similar to what I'm seeing. Thanks Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted July 20, 2011 Posted July 20, 2011 Hi hunz, Take a look here Leica M3 - viewfinder patch in the centre has tiny spots. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
bbbonthemoon Posted July 20, 2011 Share #2 Â Posted July 20, 2011 I had similar issue with DS M3 purchased from ebay few weeks ago, it was great and super clean, like new camera otherwise. I found that rangefinder repairs may be very expensive. I decided to send it back to seller and received refund. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Washington Posted July 20, 2011 Share #3 Â Posted July 20, 2011 Sounds like the beginning of the dreaded adhesive oxidation/failure. There is a fellow who has a great website on the subject and restores them: CAMERA REPAIRS & RESTORATION - LUTON , ENGLAND - 2011 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xmas Posted July 20, 2011 Share #4 Â Posted July 20, 2011 CRR's refurb is not cheap but Ive looked through one and it seemed like new. Â Noel Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hunz Posted July 20, 2011 Author Share #5  Posted July 20, 2011 the patch still seems bright. ie not gone dark - as in full separation  looking from the front of the viewfinder window, everything looks ok  you reckon its the early signs of the dreaded separation?  i just wondered if it was something different like humidity that caused the rust spots - these are tiny, and uniform pattern, but only in the patch Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted July 21, 2011 Share #6 Â Posted July 21, 2011 Doesn't sound like separation to me, probably dust or some other material. It might be able to be cleaned off during a CLA but if all else is well I'd just live with it until a CLA is required for the shutter. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jhild Posted July 24, 2011 Share #7  Posted July 24, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) I´m quitw sure that is some dust or dirt on some inside surfaces of the rangefinder. You have to remove the top cover to get there. Then clean the small movable prisma in front of the frame assembly and the frame assembly itself. I´ve just had that problem with an M2, after cleaning all the inside surfaces the rangefinder and the center patch is like new again.  Jo Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jhild Posted July 24, 2011 Share #8  Posted July 24, 2011 I´m quitw sure that is some dust or dirt on some inside surfaces of the rangefinder. You have to remove the top cover to get there. Then clean the small movable prisma in front of the frame assembly and the frame assembly itself. I´ve just had that problem with an M2, after cleaning all the inside surfaces the rangefinder and the center patch is like new again.  Jo Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Washington Posted July 25, 2011 Share #9  Posted July 25, 2011 jhild & james may be right. As I remember the M-3 top isn’t that hard to remove. Plus it’s better to try cleaning than assuming the worst case possibility. Good luck! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Washington Posted July 25, 2011 Share #10  Posted July 25, 2011 jhild & james may be right. As I remember the M-3 top isn’t that hard to remove. Plus it’s better to try cleaning than assuming the worst case possibility. Good luck! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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