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Finding the rangefinder 'windows' on an M2.


pippy

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There's certainly something wrong, but it can't be the moving mirror because the M2 doesn't have one. What's behind the RF window is a fixed prism; the moving element is a little swinging lens placed between this prism and the frameline assembly (see diagram here).
Lens in that case...
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I'll have a look there, jaapv.

Thanks very much.

 

Philip.

 

the m rangefinder assembly is a delicate piece of equipment, repair and adjustment should be left to a pro with the proper tools and skills. may I suggest to do yourself a favor and stop messing around with it before you make it all worse ...

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Just to remind ourselves of where I was two weeks ago before I started to "mess around with it" (picture 1) and "before (I) make it all worse" (picture 2);

 

I know the r/f unit is a piece of precision engineering.

I know it needs to be adjusted using the proper tools in the proper fashion.

I know any necessary re-alignment needs to be approached with delicacy, care and intelligence.

I am not going to dissemble cemented groups of elements.

I am not going to dissemble anything which I cannot reassemble.

I am not going to re-silver any prisms.

 

The r/f unit of the M2 (and I know there are variations within the model) is a beautiful 65-y-o piece of engineering.

It's adjustment, however, is not Rocket-Science nor Open-Heart Surgery.

It needs pretty basic tools........and a great deal of TLC.

I'm equally at home weilding a Digital Micronometer as I am with a Ball-Pein Hammer.

And I know which tools to use here.

 

Philip

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  • 2 weeks later...
Just to remind ourselves of where I was two weeks ago before I started to "mess around with it" (picture 1) and "before (I) make it all worse" (picture 2);

 

I know the r/f unit is a piece of precision engineering.

I know it needs to be adjusted using the proper tools in the proper fashion.

I know any necessary re-alignment needs to be approached with delicacy, care and intelligence.

I am not going to dissemble cemented groups of elements.

I am not going to dissemble anything which I cannot reassemble.

I am not going to re-silver any prisms.

 

The r/f unit of the M2 (and I know there are variations within the model) is a beautiful 65-y-o piece of engineering.

It's adjustment, however, is not Rocket-Science nor Open-Heart Surgery.

It needs pretty basic tools........and a great deal of TLC.

I'm equally at home weilding a Digital Micronometer as I am with a Ball-Pein Hammer.

And I know which tools to use here.

 

Philip

 

Well at least you now know the difference between a 'window' and a 'frame' even if you are still irritated by a level of scepticism that you know what you are doing.

 

Possibly the best Technical Manual on the M2 is the US Army KS-15(4). This includes a full parts list with diagrams and repair guides for common problems, including how to destroy the body in case of imminent capture by the enemy. I don't think anybody on LUF is your enemy.

 

Steve

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Have you replaced the top cover with a spare one ?.... do you plan to re-engrave the M2-s/n writing ?

Thanks, Luigi. It's still not quite there. The base-plate still needs a bit of clearing-up from decades-old glue residue and I need to source an infinity-lock button for the Elmar. It works better without the lock but I suppose I owe it to the Old Girl to replace it.

Yes; I managed to source a New Old Stock top-plate from Red Dot Cameras in London. My plan is to have the original serial number engraved/etched when I have found the 'right' people to carry out the job. The original, of course, will have to be destroyed.

CCR in Luton are not accepting any new work for the next 5 months. One of the forumites suggested trying to find companies which specialise in Laser Etching so that will be my next task.

 

Well at least you now know the difference between a 'window' and a 'frame' even if you are still irritated by a level of scepticism that you know what you are doing...

Possibly the best Technical Manual on the M2 is the US Army KS-15(4).

I don't think anybody on LUF is your enemy.

 

Steve

First, most importantly and just to make it absolutely clear; I'm fully aware everyone here is friendly and tries to be helpful, Steve. Please be assured on that score.

It's truly a delightful place to be and I've learned countless things from the members who have generously spent their time sharing their various views, experiences, photographs, insights and thoughts with we fellow Leica users.

 

My irritation is actually with myself for not being clear enough in my early posts. Must Do Better in future.

 

As far as the KS-15(4) goes; I thought I had managed a pretty decent fist of destroying my M-2 on my own....but I'll be sure to look out for a copy!

 

:)

 

Philip.

 

EDIT : Just to give everyone a giggle.

Here's a snap of yours truly taken around 30 years ago with the M2 covered in the electrical insulation tape which resulted in the sticky mess I'm still trying to sort out;

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If you really want a copy of the repair manual Oldtimer Cameras can do you a copy

 

Leica Leica M 2 Camera Manual

 

£26.95

 

or Ebay

 

LEICA M2 SERVICE MANUAL 160 PAGES FREE SHIP | eBay

 

£10.54, which is I believe the same basic manual without the extra bits about meter and lens servicing, but don't quote me on that.

 

Steve

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...

EDIT : Just to give everyone a giggle.

Here's a snap of yours truly taken around 30 years ago with the M2 covered in the electrical insulation tape which resulted in the sticky mess I'm still trying to sort out;

 

:cool:... great imposing portrait.. ;)... so you (at the times) turned your honest M2 into a (rare !) BLACK M2 using black insulation tape ? A good idea... you got in one time a black look (which was mandatory, 30 years ago, to have a "pro look" :D) and an efficient protection...

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:cool:... great imposing portrait.. ;)... so you (at the times) turned your honest M2 into a (rare !) BLACK M2 using black insulation tape ? A good idea... you got in one time a black look (which was mandatory, 30 years ago, to have a "pro look" :D) and an efficient protection...

Ha! Very Good, Luigi!

 

Hmmm....yeesss...............but in my defence...

 

I was a second-year photography student at the time and had probably read that HCB taped up his Leica and thought - with the arrogance of youth - "If it's good enough for him then it's good enough for me"! Ah well....

The Discreet aspect, of course, was rather important at the time. Oddly enough (IMO) nowadays, because so many people are out and about taking snaps on anything from mobile-phones upwards, it's not nearly as necessary to be quite so invisible in comparison with 'the old days'. People are far more used to seeing folks taking snapshots all the time and everywhere they go.

 

Even back then I knew black M2's were scarce. I had bought a copy of Mr. Rogliatti's 'Leica - The First 50 Years' (how times pass! What are we up to now?) and all was made perfectly clear as regards the chances of finding one in a second-hand shop went.

Although the fashion for collecting rare Leicas was nothing like what it is today I never even caught sight of a black M2 - or M3 for that matter - until much much later on.

 

In fact before I managed to buy the NOS top-plate my intention was to have CCR sort out the dents in the original and have the whole camera painted black

but now she is on her way to being properly fettled I'll be happy to see her back as Leica intended.

 

Philip.

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You look like one of those long haired students types, where at?...

LOL!

 

The long hair came later as did....oh, the shame...the pony-tail....:eek:....Oh Lordy! ! !

I'll save all your sensibilities on that one, though.

 

B.A. Photographic Studies, Napier, Edinburgh. '84 - '87.

On graduation I headed South in search of the sun...

 

P.

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