Adjusting RF in Canada

[Jamie Roberts]

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Is there someone in Canada who is authorized by Leica to adjust my M11P? I think I know the answer to this, alas--but any help would be really appreciated. 

My M11P got "lightly knocked" (by me, so no one to blame but me). Everything seems cosmetically fine--but infinity focus is now "out," which means critical focus on the RF is out, too. Lens focus (checked on dSLR) also seems fine (infinity is infinity, after all, and close focus seems to be ok too). 

I used to rely on Gerry at Kindermann Canada to keep my RF in tune, but I'm told that Gerry has passed, and that LightPro--the company that took Kindermann over, no longer adjusts or repairs Leicas.

I know how to "fix the easy part" myself with an allen key, but I'd rather not do it TBH. I want to get it really right and there may be other, less simple, adjustments to make. So I'm looking for anyone who does this (preferably local to Toronto, Ontario, Canada). 

I asked at Downtown Camera--a local Leica dealer--and they said their "techs" would only adjust M film cameras! I told them I thought the RF was the same mechanism, essentially, but they wouldn't take the chance (which is weird... some of those film Ms are more expensive than my 11P. But I guess they're worried about irreparable electronics / sensor damage). 

Thanks in advance! The only thing I truly don't love about the 11P is the lack of a modern field adjustment mechanism. I'm sure something creative isn't an impossible ask for an M12 (along with a typical diopter mechanism? Please!!), so if anyone from Leica is looking....
 

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[jaapv]

Adjustment is such a simple operation, especialy infinity, that I do not think that Leica has issued any authorizations. Any halfway competent technician or indeed DIY as you mention can do the job. Unless, of course, the prism has come loose. That would mean a specialized technician for repair or Leica CS for RF replacement. But that is fortunately quite rare.  The attitude of Downtown Camera is puzzling - to put it politely.

[lct]

Are DAG that far from Canada? Just curious.

[fenykepesz]

vor 14 Stunden schrieb Jamie Roberts:

The only thing I truly don't love about the 11P is the lack of a modern field adjustment mechanism

just trying to follow you : do you mean a mechanism that allows you to adjust your M camera out in the' field' or in the woods ? with some sort of electronic support ? with a screwdriver and/or allen key and perhaps externally positioned screws without having to lift the top part for certain manipulations ?

i had once to adjust infinity in my former m10d which luckily turned out to be a really simple job - while my current m11d is perfectly calibrated since arrival.

[Derbyshire Man]

7 hours ago, fenykepesz said:

just trying to follow you : do you mean a mechanism that allows you to adjust your M camera out in the' field' or in the woods ? with some sort of electronic support ? with a screwdriver and/or allen key and perhaps externally positioned screws without having to lift the top part for certain manipulations ?

i had once to adjust infinity in my former m10d which luckily turned out to be a really simple job - while my current m11d is perfectly calibrated since arrival.

I’ve got an M11P, M11M and M11D. I’ve adjusted all of them. The M11D was the only one that came perfect. I’ve mostly done horizontal but twice vertical. It’s a simple job and I take the kit with me on trips. 
 

As long as you’re not the most cack handed person in the world, the worst that can happen is it still needs to be sent to a professional. The reality however is that 10-20 minutes after starting the first time you’ve fixed your camera and gained a skill for life. 
 

Rangefinders are going to get nudged, it makes sense to understand how to restore them. 
 

All of the above relates to a camera that arrived set up or responds first time. The more heavy duty things like lengthening the cam or bending the cam is not the sort of thing I’d get involved in, tweaking one or two Allen screws is however a doddle. 

[M11 for me]

vor 3 Minuten schrieb Derbyshire Man:

I’ve got an M11P, M11M and M11D. I’ve adjusted all of them. The M11D was the only one that came perfect.

This needs some clarification . . . 

 

vor 6 Minuten schrieb Derbyshire Man:

I take the kit with me on trips

Whick kit do you mean that you take along on your trips?

Thank you for clarifying.

[Derbyshire Man]

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A spudger which is modified to be a plastic screwdriver and a 2mm Allen key 

[Derbyshire Man]

The M11D rangefinder was perfect out of the gate. The other two needed very early adjustment. 
 

Additionally my M11D has never been impolite enough to freeze!

Edited January 11 by Derbyshire Man

[Ko.Fe.]

Yep, the answer you know is correct one.

They are only authorized to sell, not to repair in Canada. 

[jaapv]

At least they could have referred to a trusted repair facility. 

[Jamie Roberts]

It is indeed puzzling. They referred me to "someone in the US" which I think meant DAG; maybe Leica US. 

[Jamie Roberts]

Shipping the camera over the border is never fun, and I hear the current wait time is 3-6 months

[Jamie Roberts]

On 1/11/2025 at 4:45 PM, Derbyshire Man said:

A spudger which is modified to be a plastic screwdriver and a 2mm Allen key 

I have zero idea what a spudger is... lol

Yes, as I said, I *know* how to do the horizontal adjustment, I'm just less handy than I used to be 10 years ago (maybe not the most "cack-handed" but pretty close). 
FWIW, until the camera got nudged, the adjustment was spot-on. I just want it to be like that again

Ok, I'm off to find an infinity-focus object in the middle of winter. Hope it doesn't start snowing while I'm literally standing in a field

[Jamie Roberts]

Wow... I learned a new word today! 

"A spudger is a prying tool with a flat end and a pointed tip that's used to separate and poke at things without damaging them. Spudgers are often used to work with circuit boards and connectors because they are ESD-safe..."

Edited Monday at 02:58 PM by Jamie Roberts
forgot to quote

[Jamie Roberts]

On 1/11/2025 at 8:35 AM, fenykepesz said:

just trying to follow you : do you mean a mechanism that allows you to adjust your M camera out in the' field' or in the woods ? with some sort of electronic support ? with a screwdriver and/or allen key and perhaps externally positioned screws without having to lift the top part for certain manipulations ?

i had once to adjust infinity in my former m10d which luckily turned out to be a really simple job - while my current m11d is perfectly calibrated since arrival.

Sorry--field adjustment is just a saying that means "when I'm out shooting" away from any desk etc... However, given what's around my house, I will be looking for an infinity target outside, and probably in a parking lot or field. 

Anyway, yes: a simpler adjustment mechanism that I can use more easily, without having to expose the shutter / sensor inner parts of the camera, perhaps with electronic verification, would be excellent. I do understand that would be a huge redesign, but the inability to quickly restore the accuracy of the rangefinder is, to me, the very weakest part of owning a modern M. 

Edited Monday at 02:59 PM by Jamie Roberts

[Jeff S]

24 minutes ago, Jamie Roberts said:

Shipping the camera over the border is never fun, and I hear the current wait time is 3-6 months

Call DAG (Don Goldberg, in Wisconsin).  He’s very good about explaining current turnaround times, and whether he’s prepared to do any specific repair work. I trust him far more than Leica USA. 
 

https://www.dagcamera.com/contact.html

Edited Monday at 03:10 PM by Jeff S

[BernardC]

1 hour ago, Jamie Roberts said:

Shipping the camera over the border is never fun, and I hear the current wait time is 3-6 months

It depends on the job, and whether it can be done in New Jersey or Germany. Your RF adjustment should be a New Jersey job, but you'll need to confirm with Customer Care. They'll also tell you what the current turnaround is.

Leica will send you a customs declaration if you ship to them, which makes it slightly simpler than most US shipping. They may also pay for shipping if the camera is under warranty.

No personal experience with DAG or other US-based independents. You can also look at EU-based independents, since shipping to Europe is just as quick as shipping to the US, and often lower-hassle.