Vertical alignment of rangefinder

[Wayne]

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This does not pertain specifically to MM; but, this particular case involves a used MM I am considering purchase of. I am trying to figure out if I should just move on to another camera.

 

Scenario: I purchased a used MM with approximately 16,000 actuations. When camera arrived from seller, it included documentation that it had been adjusted to Leica standards as recently as June 2016. I am not certain where this adjustment/inspection occured, but the documentation consisted of official leica tag, so I assume it was in Germany or New York. Camera also came with documentation of sensor change, by Leica, in December 2015. So, as far as I know, the camera was inspected/adjusted by a qualified Leica tech as little as one month before it came into my hands.

 

Problem: In use, I noted vertical alignment problem with rangefinder. Misalignment was of a magnitude that a small perch, sticking out of the side of a finch feeder, and at a distance of approximately 30', appears as two perches (sitting on top of one another) in the rangefinder patch. Horizontal alignment appeared to be OK.

 

Reference: I own and use an M8. When I first purchased the M8, I noted difficulty in obtaining clear focus. The difficulty was apparent by virtue of the fact that photos were not sharp. I did not notice any severe aberration of alignment in rangefinder patch. Due to the fact that the rangefinder patch always looked good, In contemplated that I may just not be able to accurately focus a rangefinder camera with a digital sensor. I sent the M8 to Leica, rangefinder was misaligned, Leica adjusted rangefinder and sensor alignment, and now I focus accurately with M8. Lesson learned: Rangefinders can be misaligned....without any perceptible problem being visible- to me- in the rangefinder patch.

 

Questions:

 

What kind of dramatic physical event would be required to misalign the MM rangefinder to the degree that I noted above, i.e. misalign it to the point where it is plainly obvious in the rangefinder patch?

 

Does this degree of misalignment necessarily indicate that a physical event, e.g. drop, bump, happened?, could it happen through normal use in a period of one month?

 

Does Leica send misaligned cameras out the door?

 

I do not baby my cameras, but neither do I abuse them. I have no personal frame of reference regarding what kind of bump, or drop, a digital M can take before rangefinder alignment problem occur.

 

 

P.S. I used several Leica lenses in the testing of the MM. The newest being a 35 Summarit. I understand that lens has nothing to do with image in rangefinder patch; but I was able to confirm poor focus with every lens......while getting good focus with M8, and same lenses.

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[Belle123]

I believe your main question is if you should move onto another camera rather than buy the one you describe. Simple answer is to move on if you have doubts. It should be perfect if had all those recent maintenance from Leica and the fact the seller went to the trouble and now letting it go might be a red flag. Hard to say. My question though is whether you did these tests handheld or on a tripod. I often find is "me" causing any unsharp images instead of the camera.

[jaapv]

A vertical misalignment is usually caused by a camera dropping on its bottom. Mostly there is no further damage, especially if it was in its half-case or bag. A competent repairman should be able to fix it in a few minutes. However, if you are buying the camera this is evidence of impact damage and I would not buy the camera without Leica inspecting and adjusting it.

[Wayne]

Thanks Jaap.

 

This camera is coming from a reliable seller, pretty well known in USA camera circles. Camera arrived in original Leica packaging that was well protected (bubble wrap) that appeared to offer adequate protection against normal handling expected in shipment. My thought was, given that the misalignment was severe enough to effect the view in the rangefinder patch, it must have taken more than the normal variety of handling abuse while in shipping.

 

Thanks again.

[lpeeples]

I just bought a M6 from a reputable dealer last week.  Same issue, the vertical alignment was off, especially noticeable at long distances. I sent it back for adjustment Monday and expect it to be delivered to me later today. Hopefully its fixed.

[Wayne]

Good news all around. The camera came back and I find I can focus accurately. Previously, based on my initial review of the Leica service paperwork, I thought the sensor was replaced in December 2015....So I was concerned that the replacement sensor was not the new version. It turns out the work order for a new sensor was submitted in December, but the sensor was not actually replaced until June 2016. So I have received a working MM1 with about 16000 actions, a brand new sensor,  a 90 day warranty from a reputable company, and for about 20% more money than a comparable M9. I guess I will forget about the concerns I expressed previously and count myself fortunate.

 

Thanks for all the help in this matter.