Leica Model III adjust rangefinder vertical alignment

[wlaidlaw]

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Thank you, I'll try cleaning mine first, it that doesn't work I'll see what Alan has.

 

You wouldn't happen to know of any European suppliers that may have viewfinder windows and odd screws? Nobody that I can find in the US has any for the III / IIIa, just for the IIIc and up.

 

I'd be happy to find an ORAKO if all else fails, but they don't come up for sale very often either.

 

Mike, 

 

Have your tried Sherry Krauter or Don Goldberg in the USA? In the UK apart from Alan there is Malcolm Taylor. Another possible alternative is Peter at CRR in Luton. He may have retired from repairing Leicas after the death of his wife but he had a large stock of spares, which he might be prepared to dig into. Lastly there is Will van Manen in The Netherlands. 

 

Wilson

[wlaidlaw]

I wonder if the diagonal movement of the RF patch is related to the orientation of the optical wedge used to get vertical alignment? If the wedge has much of an angle from the horizontal it might have that effect.

 

Tom, 

 

I think that is a probable explanation. 

[mikemgb]

Mike, 

 

Have your tried Sherry Krauter or Don Goldberg in the USA? In the UK apart from Alan there is Malcolm Taylor. Another possible alternative is Peter at CRR in Luton. He may have retired from repairing Leicas after the death of his wife but he had a large stock of spares, which he might be prepared to dig into. Lastly there is Will van Manen in The Netherlands. 

 

Wilson

 

DAG has nothing for the III series, just the IIIc and newer. I have checked with Sherry in the past but I just emailed her again to see if she does have anything. If not I'll try a couple of the other people you mentioned.

 

Of course, I could just buy another parts camera but I know if I keep doing that I'll just end up with a pile of functioning cameras and still need a viewfinder window for my IIIa!

[jerzy]

I wonder if the diagonal movement of the RF patch is related to the orientation of the optical wedge used to get vertical alignment? If the wedge has much of an angle from the horizontal it might have that effect.

yes, this is correct. And just to be precise, the image moves rather radial then diagonally :-) but it does not change the necessity to do horizontal adj after vertical.

When doing horizontal adjustement be cautious not to put too much force when trying to turn adjustement screw (right to the middle window).

This screw is a special M2 with thread gradient of 0,20 (or 0,25mm) in contrary to the standard M2 which has 0,4mm. I did not success in the past to buy a thread cutter with such gradient. And you cannot use neither the screw from older Zorki/Fed, they have standard gradient of 0,4mm. Adjustement screw is secured with another set screw, accessible after removing the screw marked red. And this screw is often tightly set.

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So in summary - if you cannot turn adjustement screw using moderate force leave it rather for a specialist (or you have tools and knowledge to get access to the rangefinder under the top cover.

[spydrxx]

In a pinch, another method of achieving proper RF focusing is to mount the camera (with a well calibrated lens) on a tripod and put it into a darkened room about 6 ft/ 2 meters from a wall (preferably a light colored one). Now shine a little laser penlight thru the rangefinder eyepiece toward the wall. Focus the lens until you get the two dots to properly align. At this point you will want to physically measure the distance from the wall to the focal point on the camera body....it should match the number of feet/meters shown on the lens. You should comfortably now be able to go back and adjust the alignment screws on the camera body if the dots don't properly align on the wall at a predetermined distance.