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M4 Rangefinder Repair Advice SOS


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SOS HELP!!!

I dropped my Leica M4 and according to the NYC Camera Doctor repair team, the prism that creates the ghost image in the rangefinder is dislocated and needs to be replaced. They suggested that I send it directly into Leica for repairs, becuase the rangefinder is a complicated mechanism they wern't equipt to fix. They also let me know that Leica, located in New Jersey, dosen't do specific repairs and will want to do a full tune-up. Money is a concern, and I'm not prepared to pay $1000-ish if I can at all avoid it. I just want my range-finder to be functional.

Has anyone had rangefinder work done, espeically on an M4? Would you advise having this work done by Leica or an outside repair person, such as DAG? Any experience or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

E

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I believe both Youxin Ye and DAG (Don Goldberg) will fix a rangefinder without requiring a full service. However, if they find the camera has other issues they may require fixing them as well.

Both have done very good work for me. Other than sensor replacement in my M9, I haven't used Leica for repairs for 40 years.

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Normally a displaced prism due to a shock can easily be corrected by the adjustment mechanism behind the  screw over the lens. Maybe this camera service is not very conversant with Leica cameras? Leica NJ does do rangefinder adjustments without forcing you into a full service - which shouldn't come close to 1000$ anyway- as far as I am aware, although they are not the cheapest. Sometimes it can be done whilst you wait. It is that simple. Any competent Leica specialist should be able to help you out.

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Youxin repaired a new to me 1965 M2 which had a similar problem, the main prism had dislodged from the finder housing, he assumed from impact. He secured the prism and adjusted focus and the camera works brilliantly. Youxin determined my camera did not need any other service at the time and charged me a very reasonable fee for the work with fast turnaround. 

 

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Youxin Ye (wye7@yahoo.com) is very reasonable, he revived an M3 and cleaned up (including recovering) a 1962 90 Elmarit for under $500. This was a full CLA, rangefinder adjustment and a shutter curtain replacement. He was a pleasure to do business with. I'd contact him first, but remember to put Please Rush on the outside of the box you send him. Somehow this is a key to his camera sorting.

Edited by tommonego@gmail.com
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  • 5 weeks later...
On 12/5/2019 at 1:45 AM, jaapv said:

Leica NJ does do rangefinder adjustments without forcing you into a full service - which shouldn't come close to 1000$ anyway- as far as I am aware

You've got to be kidding. I don't know about Leica NJ but Leica in Wetzlar absolutely charges the thick end of €1,000 for a full service. I know this because they were intending to bill me for a CLA on an M-A that was being 'looked at' under warranty (Leica's default solution to most faults is to give the camera a CLA). They did the work but realised that I should not be charged for it.

Edited by wattsy
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