MP: Does vertical alignment require a special tool?

[oCorvus]

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I just got a brand new MP (manufactured July 2025) and the vertical alignment is slightly off. 

The dealer offered to exchange it but they don't have a replacement on hand and will have to wait for Wetzlar (unfortunately with no timeframe).

I know the vertical alignment is just behind the small screw on the front.

Does anyone know if the recent MPs require a special tool for the vertical alignment like some of the other film Ms such as the M6 do? Or is it just a 2mm hex like the horizontal adjustment?
 

Edited August 20 by oCorvus

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[Gelatino]

If you DIY the service, you void the warranty.

[Borna]

Are you sure its not your lens that is the problem? 

[Patrick1955]

14 hours ago, Borna said:

Are you sure its not your lens that is the problem? 

My understanding and experience with my Ms is that the vertical alignment is purely about aligning the focus patch correctly with the OVF - so nothing whatsoever to do with the lens.  Unfortunately, I am unaware of the MP hex size but I have adjusted both the 10 and 10R with a hex and it was as easy as.  All that is required is care and a steady hand in a quiet uncrushed environment.  And a hex! Cheers 

Edited August 27 by Patrick1955
clarification

[TomB_tx]

I also don't know if the new MP uses a hex wrench or the M6 style eccentric pin tool. Old Ms (before M6) just used a slotted head, but owners kept messing it up trying to adjust it themselves - hence the change to the special tool. (DAG had photos of damaged adjustment screws caused by heavy-handed owners.)

You can still get accurate focus if the vertical is slightly mis-aligned, but it is very distracting and lowers the apparent contrast, making it harder to focus. (A horizontal line may appear as 2 lines one above the other.) My M4 came back from a service with a well-known tech with the vertical slightly off. Sent it back to get corrected and she just reported it met factory specs. I tried to adjust but the adjustment was at the limit, so sent it to DAG who had to remove the top cover and re-do the basic setup alignment so the screw could cover the range. It's been fine ever since.

Also note: the vertical adjustment can have some effect on the horizontal, so you may need to tweak the horizontal after adjusting the vertical.