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Rangefinder patch - vertical is weird


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Hi all

 

I recently got a CLA'ed M4 but I've noticed that the rangefinder patch isn't correct.

On short distances I can't see anything wrong but when I focus to far things I can put the patch correctly over the object horizontally.

 

But for instance when I focus on a pole I can see the second image from the patch sticking out a bit above the real image. It doesn't align vertically. What should I do? Can I use it normally or does it have to be fixed?

 

Jesse

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It is the horizontal alignment of the two images that determines accuracy of focus. If there is a vertical object in the picture, then there should be no trouble. However, if you are focussing on the highlight in an eye (this will happen only at short distances), you may be annoyed. I'd recommend that you expose a couple of rolls, taking both horizontal and vertical photos at different distances, and have the R/F set right only if the offset bothers you.

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There are separate adjustments for the vertical alignment and horizontal, but adjusting the vertical has some effect on the horizontal accuracy. My M4 came back from a well-respected Leica tech with the same issue - the vertical was clearly off, especially at long distances. So I sent it back, and received it back with a reply that it was adjusted to factory specs. So I sent it instead to DAG who expected it to be a simple adjustment, but he said the basic setup of the rangefinder was off so that the adjustment was already maxed-out, and he had to remove the top cover and re-align all from the start. Since he sent it back it has been perfect. Needless to say, DAG had been my preferred source since then.

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I hope it doesn't affect the focus. It's only at long distances like 7 meter and longer. I rarely focus that far. Mostly close focussing.

 

I live in Europe and I have 6 month warranty on the M4. I can ask ym dealer to resend it to their repair service but they are the same guys that adjusted it like it is now.. So they will most likely make the problem worse if they don't do it from scratch?

 

Jesse

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I hope it doesn't affect the focus. It's only at long distances like 7 meter and longer. I rarely focus that far. Mostly close focussing.

 

I live in Europe and I have 6 month warranty on the M4. I can ask ym dealer to resend it to their repair service but they are the same guys that adjusted it like it is now.. So they will most likely make the problem worse if they don't do it from scratch?

 

Jesse

 

They will probably fix the problem they made in the first place...

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There are separate adjustments for the vertical alignment and horizontal, but adjusting the vertical has some effect on the horizontal accuracy. My M4 came back from a well-respected Leica tech with the same issue - the vertical was clearly off, especially at long distances. So I sent it back, and received it back with a reply that it was adjusted to factory specs. So I sent it instead to DAG who expected it to be a simple adjustment, but he said the basic setup of the rangefinder was off so that the adjustment was already maxed-out, and he had to remove the top cover and re-align all from the start. Since he sent it back it has been perfect. Needless to say, DAG had been my preferred source since then.

 

That's interesting, I had a similar experience with a used M4 that I purchased from a reputable reseller who said the camera just had a 'CLA' done. The vertical was off making it irritating to use. Instead of having an unknown person try to 'fix' it again (e.g., via the reseller) I decided just to send it to DAG myself. Apparently it had been incorrectly done in the first place but Don made it perfect. I guess the moral of the story is that all 'CLAs' are not necessarily alike.

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It is the horizontal adjustment that determines correct focus. If that adjustment has been correctly done, you will get good focus despite the vertical offset if you focus on vertical lines (camera horizontal or in "landscape" position)..

 

A competent repair person with the correct tool(s) can fix it in five minutes. As you are worried and the camera is under warranty, the best course is to have it fixed.

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