mechs Posted February 14, 2021 Share #1 Posted February 14, 2021 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hi All, I recently purchased an M4-2 in excellent shape. I've put a couple of rolls of film through it and everything on the camera works well, the viewfinder is bright and clean, the rangefinder patch is contrasty and clean, and it focuses with ease and accurately. However, I just discovered a cloudy spot on the inside of the rangefinder window when I was cleaning the camera after a day of use outside. It doesn't look like typical fungus because it lacks the thin hairlines/tree branch appearance, and it doesn't really look like haze because it doesn't appear to have tiny specs or dots. It literally looks like something leaked on the inside and ended up on the glass. It has been suggested by a knowledgable forum member elsewhere that this is quite possibly mold. I don't know anything about the history of the camera or whether if it has had a CLA. My guess based on the appearance and condition is that it has spent most of it 40 years on earth tucked away in a drawer or as a display. I have contacted a tech to schedule a CLA but if this is a known issue or one that doesn't appear to be serious fungus/mold, I would rather have fun with it a bit more before sending it off for service. Any opinions as to what this might be are appreciated. 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! Quote 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/317995-problem-with-rangefinder-window/?do=findComment&comment=4140465'>More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted February 14, 2021 Posted February 14, 2021 Hi mechs, Take a look here Problem with rangefinder window. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
a.noctilux Posted February 14, 2021 Share #2 Posted February 14, 2021 (edited) Welcome mechs, Don't worry if you send it for CLA. A good tech would sort it out, whatever it is. Just remember to tell him/her your concern. M4-2 model that I've used for decades is a very reliable model, even the model has some "flaws at birth" (counter problem, flare, etc. Enjoy your M4-2. ... Side note, had you used M4-2 without the soft release ? In my use, as the camera was designed to use the soft release built-in (nude ! ), added SR would "ruin" that soft feeling* with the other part of the digit resting on the large and ergonomic "bowl" around the button. Do you have some "rub" on your's ? 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! mine from years of use *waiting for the millisecond's split release Edited February 14, 2021 by a.noctilux Quote Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! mine from years of use *waiting for the millisecond's split release ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/317995-problem-with-rangefinder-window/?do=findComment&comment=4140568'>More sharing options...
mechs Posted February 14, 2021 Author Share #3 Posted February 14, 2021 53 minutes ago, a.noctilux said: Welcome mechs, Don't worry if you send it for CLA. A good tech would sort it out, whatever it is. Just remember to tell him/her your concern. M4-2 model that I've used for decades is a very reliable model, even the model has some "flaws at birth" (counter problem, flare, etc. Enjoy your M4-2. ... Side note, had you used M4-2 without the soft release ? In my use, as the camera was designed to use the soft release built-in (nude ! ), added SR would "ruin" that soft feeling* with the other part of the digit resting on the large and ergonomic "bowl" around the button. Do you have some "rub" on your's ? mine from years of use *waiting for the millisecond's split release Hi a.noctilux, Yes, I shot my first rolls of film without a soft release and must say that the shutter sounded leafy and smooth. I just put the soft release on because it was on the desk next to me. It does make it louder so I don't intend on using it while out shooting. Also, no rub on mine. It looks minty clean except for some stripped color around the frame counter on the black chrome and some rubber that has come off at the base of the bottom plate and one side near the top plate. The camera really is a joy to shoot with that's for sure. Do you have other Ms? If so, how does the M4-2 compare to those? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
a.noctilux Posted February 14, 2021 Share #4 Posted February 14, 2021 Like all Leica M ( and Barnack Leica LTM ! ), it's a joy to use. Maybe at first, M4-2 was a bit "less smooth" than my M4/M3/M2, but it was first M to accept electric winder from start... I was happy to use the "electric thumb" but the "pushing up button" at each frame was less than enthusiastic. Now with Leicavit M (or Motor-M) on M-A, I think Leica had smoothed things a big step. ... Even if the "color" not matching ...like here https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/314546-leicavit/?do=findComment&comment=4086076 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob L Posted February 14, 2021 Share #5 Posted February 14, 2021 I have an M6 Classic .85, one of the last before the TTL. I'm not one to accessorize, but I do use a soft release on it because the shutter release has such a long throw. Felt very odd along side my M2, The soft release helps. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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