Are these spots on my new M3 rangefinder patch normal or do they point to a more serious issue?

[Blazefresh]

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Hello there!

I just bought and received my first Leica M3 online from a Japanese camera store. Very excited. 

Upon taking it for a test roll, I've noticed that there are many many small dots covering the viewfinder patch and a few large dots as well. In lower light conditions it's not noticeable but I was shooting today and in direct light I actually had some trouble focusing as they really dominated the patch area and I found it hard to see my subject focus alignment clearly through them.

Attaching a few photos, sorry for the low quality it was a trouble photographing them to show how they look by eye but you'll be able to see both the larger and smaller dots.

Wondering, is this normal?

If not, does this look like dust that would come off from a CLA, or does it point to a more serious issue? Curious if I should send it back or just pay for a cleaning. It is in immaculate shape otherwise. 

Thanks so much in advance!

R

 

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Edited October 17, 2022 by Blazefresh
embedded images rather than including as downloadable attachments

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[logan2z]

I had a similar (but not quite as bad) issue with an M3 I bought a few months ago.  You can see the responses I received from forum members here:

I returned my M3 for a refund.

[nitroplait]

In the thread linked above, I would pay attention to what Jerzy says. His is a competent and dedicated repair person.

Edited October 17, 2022 by nitroplait

[250swb]

Looks like a bit of dust to me.

[Mute-on]

Your second pic shows the issue is across the entire patch. As I indicated in the referenced thread, quite possibly a delaminating frameline mask. Not repairable and NLA. 

I would return it, even if cosmetically mint. I’m sorry. 

[Blazefresh]

Thanks for your replies. It seems anyone that repairs Leicas has suggested is it likely merely dust and cleanable with a CLA. In worst case it looks like it could be a delaminating frameline mask which would be pretty bad and require a return.

I'm going to drop it into a repair shop today to get someone to take a proper look to see which of these it actually is before sending back. Thanks again, really helpful.

[Huss]

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7 hours ago, Mute-on said:

Your second pic shows the issue is across the entire patch. As I indicated in the referenced thread, quite possibly a delaminating frameline mask. Not repairable and NLA. 

I would return it, even if cosmetically mint. I’m sorry. 

Recementing the prism is a job good techs perform.

You can see it here on youxin’s site for example

 

http://www.yyecamera.com/price_m_body.html

[Mute-on]

15 hours ago, Huss said:

Recementing the prism is a job good techs perform.

You can see it here on youxin’s site for example

 

http://www.yyecamera.com/price_m_body.html

It’s not the prism. It’s the glass sandwich frameline mask.