Rangefinder cam needs to be adjusted too often

[alex7075]

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Hello,

The roller cam of my Leica M9 seems to be too loose and every few weeks I have to re-adjust it with the allen key to correct the backfocus it causes.

The same thing happens on my M8, but fortunately not on my MM1.

I was wondering if there's a simple way to "block" it in position. Could I for example put a drop of nails enamel in the central hole, where I insert the allen key?

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[1joel1]

A teeny, tiny drop of blue loctite on the threads. most people put about 5x too much. Just a tiny amount to the threads and then wipe some off.

Otherwise, some nail enamel as you suggest from the screw head to the side.

[alex7075]

Thanks 1joel1,

Just to be sure and not make mistakes: you mean the area in the blue circle?

Or even in the hole?

 

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Edited January 19, 2023 by alex7075

[jaapv]

On 1/19/2023 at 10:45 AM, alex7075 said:

Could I for example put a drop of nails enamel in the central hole, where I insert the allen key?

 

If you think you can remove when needed, why not? But if it turns out you can't?  I would ask Leica for advice. Maybe they can replace the screw or send a replacement. 

This is a system that depends on friction. Fiddle with it too often and it may run in and get loose. Normally such an adjustment is needed once or twice over the life of a camera if at all.

[alex7075]

Hi Jaap,

Yes it was my concern also. If the blue loctite just adds some friction to the wheel, so that vibrations and normal use stop moving it, it shouldn't harm.

Leica customer service has been a nightmare for me in the last years, so I stopped turning to them. I will maybe ask a private technician.

[1joel1]

22 hours ago, alex7075 said:

Thanks 1joel1,

Just to be sure and not make mistakes: you mean the area in the blue circle?

Or even in the hole?

 

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Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

Where the head makes contact with something stationary for the enamel.

I would try the locktite route though and perhaps use a toothpick to apply a tiny dab. You can always ask DAG. Might be worth it to send it to him or just ask for advice.

Joel

[Patarei]

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On 1/20/2023 at 5:54 PM, alex7075 said:

Hi Jaap,

Yes it was my concern also. If the blue loctite just adds some friction to the wheel, so that vibrations and normal use stop moving it, it shouldn't harm.

Leica customer service has been a nightmare for me in the last years, so I stopped turning to them. I will maybe ask a private technician.

Hi Alex.

I am curious of what you mean with a nightmare with Leica customer service.

Is it with Wetzlar or NJ?

 

[alex7075]

1 hour ago, Patarei said:

Hi Alex.

I am curious of what you mean with a nightmare with Leica customer service.

Is it with Wetzlar or NJ?

 

Wetzlar. Unreliable.

Cameras and lenses sent for repair or adjustment that came back just as before and had to be sent again and again. One example: I once sent a Noctilux that couldn't focus accurately and it came back just as before. After three trips, I found out that the frontal part of the lens was wobbling (that was the problem) whereas Leica didn't even notice. The only solution they found then was to put a thicker grease instead of replacing internal parts. After many months, Leica complaint management refused to refund me or to make the due repair I had paid for. I finally had to send it to another repair person.

Generally, inaccurate service. A 90 Elmar macro adapter came back repaired but I had to modify myself the thickness of the little rangefinder coupling mechanism to get precise focusing. And so on.

Excessive long times and way too expensive services.

I had positive experiences too of course; but on balance negative ones outnumber positive ones.

 

[Patarei]

On 1/22/2023 at 10:23 AM, alex7075 said:

Wetzlar. Unreliable.

Cameras and lenses sent for repair or adjustment that came back just as before and had to be sent again and again. One example: I once sent a Noctilux that couldn't focus accurately and it came back just as before. After three trips, I found out that the frontal part of the lens was wobbling (that was the problem) whereas Leica didn't even notice. The only solution they found then was to put a thicker grease instead of replacing internal parts. After many months, Leica complaint management refused to refund me or to make the due repair I had paid for. I finally had to send it to another repair person.

Generally, inaccurate service. A 90 Elmar macro adapter came back repaired but I had to modify myself the thickness of the little rangefinder coupling mechanism to get precise focusing. And so on.

Excessive long times and way too expensive services.

I had positive experiences too of course; but on balance negative ones outnumber positive ones.

 

Thank you for your reply and explanation.

Well, it sound like the repair of my M10 that i sent a year ago to Wetzlar. When it came back, i noticed that it was still not working as it should.

So i sent it back a couple of weeks ago. I do not have to pay anything, but it is annoying.

Anyway, i was very happy with their free cla of my Leica M246 last summer.