gabrielaszalos Posted April 8, 2021 Share #1 Posted April 8, 2021 Advertisement (gone after registration) I'm eyeing to buy an M2. It's in a very good condition, but I notice something in the viewfinder which could look like the beginning of separation? Then again, I have no experience so I'm hoping someone can guide me. It could also just be a reflection from the photograph. I do not have more photos. Does this mean anything to anyone? Could it be the beginning of a problem? Anything to be concerned about? 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! Two photos here: https://imgur.com/a/g4hxpya. That's all I got. Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Two photos here: https://imgur.com/a/g4hxpya. That's all I got. ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/319718-whats-this-in-the-m2-viewfinder/?do=findComment&comment=4176945'>More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted April 8, 2021 Posted April 8, 2021 Hi gabrielaszalos, Take a look here What's this in the M2 viewfinder?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Mute-on Posted April 9, 2021 Share #2 Posted April 9, 2021 Very difficult to tell. It’s on the edge of the prism, or the wall of the chamber. Not separation, as this is usually in the middle of the prism, or shows as the edges lifting. Also doesn’t look like the typical golden bubbles of Canadian balsam around the edge of the prism. Could be scratches from reassembly, adhesive residue, or just a smear of drying finger oil. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
nitroplait Posted April 10, 2021 Share #3 Posted April 10, 2021 (edited) The M2 is such a beauty and wonderful photographic tool. I think it looks like early stages of separation, but you'll need it in hand to say with more certainty. With these 60-70 years old cameras, it really isn't possible to get everything perfect. Even if it is early stages of separation it may never manifest itself as a problem, eventually it may be something completely different that shows up as a problem, you really never know - and I am speaking from experience, but luckily most of my M purchases have not come with negative surprises. From my perspective, the concern would be if it is visible when you look normally through the finder - that would bother me. If only visible from the front, I would use the observation for bargaining purposes. Edited April 10, 2021 by nitroplait Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gabrielaszalos Posted April 10, 2021 Author Share #4 Posted April 10, 2021 (edited) Thanks for the response. I am buying the camera from Japan. The advert does state “aged deterioration visible in the viewfinder but does not affect practical use” (translated with Google Translate). It was also CLA’d. I assume that’s what they are referring to. Someone will be checking it for me... Edited April 10, 2021 by gabrielaszalos Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
nitroplait Posted April 10, 2021 Share #5 Posted April 10, 2021 1 minute ago, gabrielaszalos said: Thanks for the response. I am buying the camera from Japan. The advert does state “aged deterioration visible in the viewfinder but does not affect practical use” (translated with Google Translate). It was also CLA’d. I assume that’s what they are referring to. Someone will be checking it for me... It has only been CLA'd if it is documented. I am serious - you need to see documentation otherwise it didn't happen. As I noted, it may be of relevance to see if the deterioration is visible from the viewing side of the finder. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomB_tx Posted April 10, 2021 Share #6 Posted April 10, 2021 A "CLA" isn't clearly defined, and can vary a lot depending on who does it. Techs used to almost completely dis-assemble to clean all old lubes off bearings and such, examine parts for wear, etc. Some will partly dis-assemble, flush solvent through bearings, then try to work new lubes into the assembly. some may just add lube without clearing out the old, and clean off visible parts. The "Adjust" part of a CLA also varies. One tech insisted the RF calibration done "met factory specs" but was visibly off (after trying twice). So I sent it to DAG who had to dis-assemble the RF and re-set "basic settings" before the normal adjustments could get it right. But DAG got it perfect, not just "within spec." Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gabrielaszalos Posted April 10, 2021 Author Share #7 Posted April 10, 2021 Advertisement (gone after registration) Of course. I am getting the camera from mapcamera.com through JapanCameraHunter. To the best of my understanding both are trusted and honorable sources. Let me know if there is anything to worry about besides the above. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted April 10, 2021 Share #8 Posted April 10, 2021 I think that may just be deterioration of the black coating inside the viewfinder, we see the same effect often inside older lenses. If it is that then it's nothing to worry about. 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted April 10, 2021 Share #9 Posted April 10, 2021 On 4/8/2021 at 4:27 PM, gabrielaszalos said: I'm eyeing to buy an M2. It's in a very good condition, but I notice something in the viewfinder which could look like the beginning of separation? Then again, I have no experience so I'm hoping someone can guide me. It could also just be a reflection from the photograph. I do not have more photos. Does this mean anything to anyone? Could it be the beginning of a problem? Anything to be concerned about? 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! Two photos here: https://imgur.com/a/g4hxpya. That's all I got. Here you are - Schneideritis 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gabrielaszalos Posted April 12, 2021 Author Share #10 Posted April 12, 2021 Apparently it is separation and not visible through the finder. Looks worse than in the initial photos but my understanding is that it should be fine for many more years... I have decided to accept this and buy it. 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/319718-whats-this-in-the-m2-viewfinder/?do=findComment&comment=4179492'>More sharing options...
colint544 Posted April 12, 2021 Share #11 Posted April 12, 2021 On 4/10/2021 at 1:58 PM, gabrielaszalos said: Of course. I am getting the camera from mapcamera.com through JapanCameraHunter. To the best of my understanding both are trusted and honorable sources. Let me know if there is anything to worry about besides the above. I sent my M2 to Bellamy (Japan Camera Hunter) back in 2013, to get it serviced and painted black by Kanto Camera. Can't fault the service from Bellamy at all, and the camera has now had easily 160 rolls of film through it, with zero issues. Would recommend. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mute-on Posted April 12, 2021 Share #12 Posted April 12, 2021 5 hours ago, gabrielaszalos said: Apparently it is separation and not visible through the finder. Looks worse than in the initial photos but my understanding is that it should be fine for many more years... I have decided to accept this and buy it. 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! Congratulations!! Looks like the fairly typical edge bubbling of the Canadian balsam. Mine has it too and hasn’t changed in 15 years. Hopefully yours is the same! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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