M7 Rangefinder Misalignment at Infinity

[Keith (M)]

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I posted this in a lengthy similar thread in the M9 forum on misalignment at infinity but maybe should have posted it here.

 

The original question re non-alignment of far objects is something I have also noticed on my M7. This was bought new in late February and for months I only used in urban environments, mostly for 'street' subjects. It was only when on holiday in June that I noticed that distant objects such as poles were not fully aligned - when turning the lens to infinity, the split image stops just short of alignment. This was common with my 21, 35, 50 & 75mm lenses. (I just took delivery of a 1969 Summaron 35mm this week - same situation). There is no misalignment with any of the lenses on my M9.

 

The negatives and scans show no misalignment of distant objects and focus looks fine throughout, so I was tending to ignore the 'problem'. Now reading the M9 thread, I wonder if I would be advised to send it in whilst it is still under warranty? The image below is from a test roll with my 'new' Summaron. Your thoughts would be appreciated.

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[Stealth3kpl]

I had the same problem with an M8.2. Coincidence was not possible for objects beyond 50metres. I sent it in for realignment under warranty.

Pete

[TomB_tx]

After sending my M4 in for service (after 40 years with no problems), it came back with this issue. I sent it back to the repairperson, and was told it adjusted to spec, but still had the same issue. Finally sent it to another recommended shop, and it's been perfect since.

Tests with your longest lens wide open on a distant object can give you confidence it's the rangefinder and that infinity on the lens is right.

[jrh68uk]

I recently sent my M7 in for the same thing. Well, actually it was more the tiny vertical alignment problem but I'd also noticed that nothing at far distance ever lined up horizontally.

 

It's been "in repair" for the last three weeks or so. I could cope with the horizontal being off a little as it never showed up in final images, and that I could have adjusted myself. But it's under Passport until Jan 2013 and the small vertical misalignment was starting to bug me - and that I didn't want to do myself.

[Keith (M)]

Tests with your longest lens wide open on a distant object can give you confidence it's the rangefinder and that infinity on the lens is right.

 

The 'failure' of the rangefinder image in my M7 to align on distant objects is consistent with all five lenses. All lenses hit their infinity-stop before the split image aligns on distant objects.

 

Below is a test shot (of a very dull subject) with my longest, the 75mm Summarit on Kentmere 100. First a full view followed by a crop to 'actual pixels'. Admittedly it was at mid-aperture but it does show that there are no traces of a double-image on distant objects, hence my quandary. Yes, the rfinder view shows misalignment but the images do not - so would it be recommended to send it to Leica before the Passport/warranty expires? Is it really a fault?

[tobey bilek]

Debth of field cover a multitude of sins. But remember, it does not exist. There is but one focus plane.

 

Take few shots at infinity with a fast lens wide open. One with the lens at infinity, one with the RF aligned to see if there is a difference.

 

Infinity being off does in fact change close focus accuracy. At absolute close limit, one meter, the close point will work alone. At anything further, some input from the distance setting is added to the close limit. They work together.

[SangNguyen]

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Dear Keith,

The problem may come from the front ring so you can check it if it is clean enough before put your lenses in perfect position on top of that. It is my 2 cents

 

KR,

Sang

[pico]

Just to nail one more little thing to satisfy the Leica technicians. Shoot the same at Infinity with a high shutter speed on a tripod.

 

-

 

Pico the detailist

[Keith (M)]

Take few shots at infinity with a fast lens wide open. One with the lens at infinity, one with the RF aligned to see if there is a difference.

 

No can do - as per my earlier post, all of my lenses hit their infinity-stop before the split-image fully merges.

 

Just to nail one more little thing to satisfy the Leica technicians. Shoot the same at Infinity with a high shutter speed on a tripod.

 

Indeed - my intention is (as suggested by Tobey) to take shots of distant objects at a wide aperture and I will certainly be using a tripod.

[jrh68uk]

Keith,

 

My M7 returned today. As I said earlier, it had the same problem as yours in that most lenses would hit the infinity stop just before distant objects would coincide. The vertical alignment was also a tiny bit off, but enough to make it a little more difficult to focus than my other Ms since it didn't quite have the contrast "snap".

 

It's now perfect, I'm very happy to say. The patch and main image now align vertically whereas before the patch image was ever so slightly above the main. And, distant objects now have full coincidence.

 

The arrangement of UPS pickup from home could hardly be simpler. What's more, it came back superbly packaged in a bag within a pouch within a box within a bigger box; this new style box and pouch I've not seen before and it's all worth keeping for the next time I want to send a body in (probably my "old" MP).

 

I had "made do" for so long but always in the back of my mind was the fact that it could be perfect. If you don't mind being without yours for 4 weeks, I'd suggest sending it in for adjustment under warranty.

[Keith (M)]

Thanks Jason - that is useful information which I shall bear in mind for when I return from my travels. Too late to send it now as it would not be back before I depart and I will not be back before the end of October, by which time I may well have a better idea on whether or not there is another need to send it in.