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Jaap
Tinkerer
Username: Jaap
Post Number: 1
Registered: 09-2009
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, September 14, 2009 - 02:54 am: | 
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I'm looking for advice on what to do with this Leica M5. The center part of viewfinder, the yellow overlayed rangefinder image, shows ... something. 
It looks like little dark lightning strikes.
Is it fungus or is it balsam drying out or is it something else?
I attached two pictures, the first one is the center part of the viewfinder. The marks are the 135 mm cropmarks. The second one is a close up of the overlayed image.
Thanks for your help and ideas!
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Contax_crisis
Tinkerer
Username: Contax_crisis
Post Number: 29
Registered: 08-2008
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, September 14, 2009 - 12:35 pm: |
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It looks like fungal hyphae extending from the edges of the rangefinder column. As it is on the side furthest from the viewer's eye, you are probably unlikely to contract an ocular fungal infection from it.
Has it been in a moist/humid environment? |
Glenn
Tinkerer
Username: Glenn
Post Number: 664
Registered: 07-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, September 14, 2009 - 05:12 pm: |
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"As it is on the side furthest from the viewer's eye, you are probably unlikely to contract an ocular fungal infection from it."
This forum is noted for its common sense approach and non spurious comments. On what basis do you make this ridiculous statement? I have dealt with optics contaminated with fungal growth for over 50 years- in all this time I have never seen, or had professional colleagues report a case of glass to human transfer.
Lets keep this forum free of the myths and half truths that that seem to proliferate on some parts of the internet. |
Jaap
Tinkerer
Username: Jaap
Post Number: 2
Registered: 09-2009
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, September 16, 2009 - 10:39 am: |
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I'm not very worried about ocular infections, i eat blue cheese without wearing safetly goggles too.
I don't know the camera's history, i only had it for a year or two. The camera itself is from 1972 and is well used, but apart from this in good condition.
The dutch climate is not particularly humid, and most houses have had central heating (= low humidity) for decades. Mold is rare.
But again, i don't know the history of the camera.
Pictures of fungus i've seen look different. On them the mold starts somewhere in the middle and spreads out from there with thin spidery filaments. Not like the branchlike stuff (cracks?) in the picture.
Anyone who can positively identify what this is?
Or try to.
Thanks.
Jaap |
Adrian
Tinkerer
Username: Adrian
Post Number: 259
Registered: 08-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, September 16, 2009 - 02:42 pm: |
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I'm not an expert on the construction of Leica rangefinders - you could write what I know on the back of a small stamp in big letters - but that looks very much like pictures I have seen where two pieces of glass glued together have begun to separate. I'm guessing that the balsam is going tits-up. As for what to do about it, I'll leave that to greater minds than mine.
Good answer about cheese, by the way.
Adrian |
Glenn
Tinkerer
Username: Glenn
Post Number: 665
Registered: 07-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, September 16, 2009 - 04:21 pm: |
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Of course it is the balsam separating in the cemented up prism/optics of the rangefinder - the give away is the appearance and the yellowing. I was so taken aback by the 'ocular fungal infection' I forgot the important part - a sensible answer!
A simple google search would have produced a number of well written articles - try the following link for a start. Whilst it does not mention the M5, the stated information also holds for the M5. The changes in the M6 rangefinder construction, partly alleviated some of the aging problems found in the earlier models
http://www.angelfire.com/biz/Leica/page10.html
As you will see from the above, a proper repair will not result from a bit of kitchen table DIY on a rainy Saturday afternoon. You have two choices; search the net for an acceptable professional repair (obviously Leica will do this work and I know of a good UK based firm) or just continue to use as is - apart from visual annoyance this problem does not affect accuracy, until you bump the camera and separate the optics!! |
Mikel
Tinkerer
Username: Mikel
Post Number: 165
Registered: 07-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, September 16, 2009 - 06:17 pm: |
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As a semi-retired pensioner of Leica AG I can say that Glenn is on top of things as usual.
If I had been to this thread earlier, I would have said something like: "it's looking like a cement separation which you can handle in your second or third year of hobby camera repair but it's too valuable a camera to mess up so find some professional help."
Obviously Glenn has been more than forthright with you about your prospects, but he knows the value of an M5 and is trying to get your attention on the matter before it's too late. I agree. |
Glenn
Tinkerer
Username: Glenn
Post Number: 666
Registered: 07-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, September 17, 2009 - 11:41 am: |
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Michael,
Many thanks for your comments and input. Many people do not like the M5, citing ugliness and size/weight, the very reasons that allowed me to pick up two mint examples a few years ago - I personally like them, thus they tend to get well used. Like all the M Series, the M5 will go on working long after the demise of their present owners, so long as they received regular and proper servicing.
On the subject of the rebuild service offered by Leica AG, earlier this year I finally got back my original M2 and M3 after full Leica refurbishment. The results are beyond expectation and well worth raiding the pension pot - well you can't take it with you, so bloody well enjoy it whilst you are still breathing and able to move is my motto! |
Jaap
Tinkerer
Username: Jaap
Post Number: 3
Registered: 09-2009
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, September 20, 2009 - 05:28 am: |
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Gentlemen, your answers are highly appreciated. Thanks for taking the time to answer.
I haven't seen delamination of this kind before, just the 'normal' bubbles or rainbow type delamination.
This M5 is the first Leica i bought, and i have to admit that it was a bit of an impulse-buy. In hindsight i should have realized that, when i picked the camera up at the sellers house, the lack of lamplight in his livingroom may not have been an attempt to save the planet from global warming.
But even with the rangefinder in it's present state, and some other minor issues, the most important thing is that the camera hooked me on Leica. Until you hold one in your hand you can't imagine why anyone would spend so much money on a rangefinder.
Right now i'm fortunate to enjoy an MP with a nice set of lenses, and unless some kind of global economical crisis hits i fear i won't be able to resist an M9 once i've held that in my sweaty hands.
I had the M5 CLA'ed some time ago, and that guy too told me the stuff in the rangfinder wasn't fungus. I suppose i can be hard to convince.
Since the arrival of the MP the M5 sits on a shelf, and i plan to sell it someday. But i prefer to sell it in good condition for a fair price, rather than sell it cheap with prisms that may separate maybe next week, maybe next year, maybe never. That's why i'm looking to have it repaired
Glenn, i did google, and it came up with links to both this great forum and the Luton firm you linked to. Are they the firm you would recommend, or are there others in the EU that can restore a rangefinder? Besides Leica of course. |
Glenn
Tinkerer
Username: Glenn
Post Number: 667
Registered: 07-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, September 20, 2009 - 04:56 pm: |
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Jaap,
Yes they are very good, but do get very busy unfortunately - only to be expected when a firm does good work. There must be similar companies within mainland Europe who are Leica specialists, but I have no knowledge of their whereabouts - ask the chap who did the CLA, most have their ears to the ground when it comes to specialist repairs on high end kit. |
Jaap
Tinkerer
Username: Jaap
Post Number: 4
Registered: 09-2009
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, September 21, 2009 - 11:22 am: |
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I'll send CRR Luton an email. I'm not in a hurry so their waitinglist is not a problem.
Also i'll give Camtech a call, they're Leica's repair partner in The Netherlands.
Thanks! |
