lefse Posted October 6, 2018 Share #1 Posted October 6, 2018 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hello experts! :-) Anyone here who can tell me what I am looking at in the rangefinder illumination window? It’s a double stroke Leica M3 from 1957. Works great, and the viewfinder doesn’t show any other problems. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/290256-m3-illumination-window-weirdness/?do=findComment&comment=3607575'>More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted October 6, 2018 Posted October 6, 2018 Hi lefse, Take a look here M3 - illumination window weirdness. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
105012 Posted October 7, 2018 Share #2 Posted October 7, 2018 Could it be oxidation? Anyway, will likely result in dimmed frame lines. I would get the M3 serviced, these are amazing cameras and a good service will set you up for many decades of enjoyable picture making. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomB_tx Posted October 7, 2018 Share #3 Posted October 7, 2018 The window on the M3 is very lightly etched to frost it on the inside, quite different than later models. It looks like some substance has migrated onto the frosted surface from the edges. Possibly oil from a too vigorous CLA, or perhaps fungus. I expect the M3 used a glass window instead of plastic, so it should be able to be cleaned, which might be a good time to have a full service done. If it can't be cleaned I don't know if M3 style are still available, or if it would have to be changed for a later style. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lefse Posted October 7, 2018 Author Share #4 Posted October 7, 2018 (edited) The window on the M3 is very lightly etched to frost it on the inside, quite different than later models. It looks like some substance has migrated onto the frosted surface from the edges. Possibly oil from a too vigorous CLA, or perhaps fungus. I expect the M3 used a glass window instead of plastic, so it should be able to be cleaned, which might be a good time to have a full service done. If it can't be cleaned I don't know if M3 style are still available, or if it would have to be changed for a later style. Interesting. I hope it’s not a fungus infection, eating away... but I don’t see what it would feeding off. If it’s only uncoated frosted glass? Edited October 7, 2018 by lefse Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted October 7, 2018 Share #5 Posted October 7, 2018 Could it be desilvering of an internal mirror I wonder? We need a diagram of the M3 rangefinder assembly... 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted October 7, 2018 Share #6 Posted October 7, 2018 Actually I think it's the dreaded signs of balsm separation of the rangefinder prism - see here http://www.angelfire.com/biz/Leica/page10.html 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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