What's wrong with this M4 rangefinder?

[M9reno]

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The seller calls it "etching" and includes a picture.

 

Leitz Leica M4 Rangefinder Film Camera Body 1251127 Leica-Meter MR + Manual  | eBay

 

Is it fungus? Some kind of incipient detachment? BTW, I'm just curious - not at all interested in buying. Thanks!

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[spydrxx]

I can't tell you what it is, but I've periodically seen it on old rangefinders. I know on one I disassembled, I couldn't remove it...it reminded me of "craquelure" on old oil paintings.

[SteveYork]

Delamination. It has to do with the glues they used back then.

[CalArts 99]

It's possible that the prism is separating. This is somewhat common on older Ms (esp the M3 and M2.) The glue goes bad (they used an organic balsam glue back then) and the prism starts to come apart. It can get worse and can completely separate if the camera is knocked hard enough. Or it can be okay for many years even after it starts to separate.

 

It's not as common on the later M4 but it does happen. You can check by looking into the rangefinder window from the front of the camera using a loupe. You'll normally see some etching along the bottom edge of the prism, or some yellow specks (the glue.) You might see discoloration too in areas where the prism is actually separated. There can also be de-silvering going on, too.

 

It's possible that this has happened to that M4 and it's showing up in the patch area.

 

The M3 is difficult to fix and normally needs a RF unit salvaged from another camera. The M4 is more easily fixed. Here's a place in the UK that still can do M3 fixes: M2/3/4 Rangefinder Restoration

[CalArts 99]

btw, here's a classic example of a prism separation issue on the M2. It's a photo taken from the front of the camera looking into the rangefinder window. In this case, the focusing patch was fine and the RF was clear except for a bit of discoloring in the bottom corner. The camera was perfectly usable. The yellow "bubbles" along the bottom edge of the prism comes from the disintegrating balsam glue (pine resin glue.) It may have been usable for many years to come or it could completely separate all of a sudden. But just setting the camera down on a hard table could knock it enough to fully separate it. Unless you get a good deal on the purchase price and don't mind the expense to fix it, it's ideally best to avoid one with signs of separation.

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