35mmSummicron Posted July 30, 2009 Share #1 Posted July 30, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hi, I tried to do a search but can't seem to find an answer. How does one go about testing to see the accuracy of vertical rangefinder alignment? What does it look like (either in the rangefinder window) or in images? I've seen (and adjusted) my M8 for horizontal alignment with the allen key method. thanks. .a Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted July 30, 2009 Posted July 30, 2009 Hi 35mmSummicron, Take a look here Vertical (mis)alignment?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
gwelland Posted July 30, 2009 Share #2 Posted July 30, 2009 If the vertical alignment is even slightly out you will find that the image in the viewfinder won't "pop" when in focus. The other thing is that you may find that if you change the angle of your eye viewing into the viewfinder (up & down slightly) that the correctly aligned horizontal image will get slightly clearer/sharper. Don't ask me how I know this ... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lars_bergquist Posted July 30, 2009 Share #3 Posted July 30, 2009 A rangefinder misalignment does not directly affect the final image, because you do not take your picture through the rangefinder. You do that through the lens, which by definition cannot have that problem. It can affect it only by preventing you from focusing the lens properly. This said, vertical rangefinder misalignment (which I presume is what you are referring to) is a terrible handicap, exactly because it does prevent you from focusing accurately! There are three ways of checking this; use at least two: 1) For a target, use a very sharp, distinct and perfectly horizontal edge, preferably black on white. Aim the camera so that the line runs straight through the rangefinder patch. There should be no discernible 'jump' in the line where it passes the border between the patch and the wider finder image. 2) The target is fairly large print, of a size that you can actually read through the finder. Can you focus on it so that you can read it in the rangefinder patch too? If not, you have two different images in the patch, that of the finder and that of the rangefinder, at slightly different heights. 3) Focus on a point source of light, such as a small LED on the other side of the room. Swing the camera horizontally. Does the light seem to jump up and down when it passes the rangefinder patch border? It shouldn't. If the tests show a vertical misalignment, then let Leica handle it. Don't try to fix this yourself, whatever some do-it-yourself enthusiasts say. But remember that a misalignment of your own eye can simulate the effects. The old man from the Age of Rangefinder Folders Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
35mmSummicron Posted July 30, 2009 Author Share #4 Posted July 30, 2009 Thanks gents for the quick reply--exactly the info I was looking for. I am happy to report that my rangefinder seems to be working properly Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lars_bergquist Posted July 31, 2009 Share #5 Posted July 31, 2009 Congrats. It should remain in alignment for the rest of your life. I am occasionally using RF cameras from the 1950's, and the M rangefinder is easily the best and most robust of the heap. The old man from the Age of the Folding Retina Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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