Vertical alignment

[jwillyf]

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A drop of my M246 camera has disrupted the vertical alignment of the rangefinder. I believe a special tool is required, available on a well known auction site. If I were to buy one, how do I access the adjustment mechanism? Is it behind a screw sited just above the lens? Is it an easy fix?

P.S. This originally posted in M Monochrom group

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[Patrick1955]

I can only speak from personal experience for the M10, but it is indeed an easy adjustment to make, although a little nerve-racking at first when taking off the Leica red dot.  Once the adjustment screw was exposed it just took small movements with a 2mm Allen key (and some patience) to correct.  No special tool required.  

There are a number of step by step instruction on this forum.  The idea of returning my M to Leica  (with all the cost and delays etc) for what is a very simple adjustment now seems silly.  

 

[jwillyf]

Thanks for the reply. Glad to hear a traditional Allen key would do the job.

However, there is no red dot on my M246 so that’s why I wondered if the adjustment mechanism resided behind the black screw head above the lens?

[jwillyf]

Patrick, Having done some more research on Youtube as you suggested, it seems the adjustment using a 2 mm Allen key is for correcting the horizontal alignment whereas the adjustment of vertical alignment does require a specialised tool.

[Patrick1955]

The black screw-head above the lens is a blank covering the access hole for adjusting VERTICAL alignment.   It is the same hole that is covered by the Rod Dot on my M10, and the same screw-head blank as covers the hole on the M10-P.  I am surprised the M246 and M240 requires a special tool  but maybe I just lucked out with the M10.  As it is easy and non destructive to remove the screw-head blank - may I suggest you just take a look.  Here is a youtube showing an M10 undergoing the procedure:

Horizontal alignment is adjusted by using the allen key on the underside of the roller that is at the end of the focus cam that is in contact with the lens.  Move the cam and watch the focus patch move horizontally in the viewfinder.  The alignment adjustment there is for the horizontal movement. Here is a video from Youtube showing the horizontal adjustment.

I

[jwillyf]

Thanks, Patrick. I am wary about tackling a job such as this ‘blind’ with my beloved M246. I will remove the screw and inspect. Rangefinder calibration with a repairer I have used before here in the UK costs £122, so worth investigating a DIY approach. I will keep you posted.

[jwillyf]

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Hi, Patrick.

I removed the screw cap and gently inserted a 2mm hex key. It engaged and a few tiny incremental rotations one way and then the other had the vertical alignment sorted within a minute.

Thanks so much for your interest and help.

[Patrick1955]

My absolute pleasure and I am so pleased you trusted your hand at the task.  I like dispelling the myths surrounding Leica being so fragile that all matters of routine maintenance must be addressed in Wetzlar (or DAG if in the US).  Regards

[FDS]

Many thanks for this thread and especially to 'Patrick1955'!  (If that's a birth year then my DOB is 20.12.1955.)

I just had the vertical RF adjustment 'go off' on my M11.  In my case, a 1.5mm Allen key did the job easily (rather than a 2mm).  

 

[Patrick1955]

My pleasure FDS - we older folk need to help you youngsters (I am 4 months older, almost exactly).

[jwillyf]

My birth year is 1946!

[FDS]

I am indebted to my distinguished elders!

[andybiggs]

Managed to make an adjustment on my m240

the red dot is held in place with “double sided tape” 

using finger nails I twisted back and forth and then used the point of a scalpel to lift it. You might loose a touch of the red paint.

it only needs a slightest of movement with the Allen key to make an adjustment. Replaced the dot ok but i do use black tape to cover it anyway.

i know many users check the infinity setting but feel taking a photo at around 8 feet at full aperture a good test.