Leica rangefinder flare?

Mark Crabtree · Dec 13, 2012

I apologize if you took my comment as an insult. I was saying that perhaps there was something to your post other than BS and have edited my post to make that more clear. Nonetheless, I don't think people are likely to respond well to the implication that there is only one proper way to use a Leica.

This thread was about rangefinder flare, which is clearly not an interest that you have.

cliveh · Dec 13, 2012

Pioneer said:
Mine has flared occasionally. I curse a lot when it happens. It usually is not a problem but if you shoot into strong light a lot, you may want to consider holding your hand between the light source and the viewfinder. In my experience that seem to take care of the worst of the problem and it is probably a lot less expensive than swapping viewfinders. It is a bit trickier to focus when you are using one hand to shield the viewfinder but true rangefinder fans are used to little set backs like this.

+1

DavidBrunell · Jan 13, 2013

I have owned (4) leica M6's and (1) MP. The rangefinder flare is not as much of a problem as people make it out to be. I still have an M6 that flares once in a while, it is not a problem. I will say however that the patch was much more contrasty in the MP.

Mark Crabtree · Jan 13, 2013

How do you know that it is not exactly the amount of problem for me as I make it out to be? I thought I got to decide that.

Xmas · Jan 14, 2013

Mark Crabtree said:
Or perhaps just a lighthearted take on HCB. Nonetheless, the rangefinder flare has been a real issue for many of us. Certainly, many people aren't bothered by it, but that does not mean the people who are complaining are wrong.

As far as I know nobody complained about rangefinder flare with the M3, M2, M4, or M5. Depending on who you ask, Leica modified the rangefinder either to simplify, cut costs, or brighten things up. Whatever the reason, they took out a condenser lens and people started complaining about flare. They offered a "modification" to put the condenser back and the flare problem was fixed.

Some cameras do seem worse than others. My late M4-2 shouldn't be much different than an M6, but seems to flare far less. The one M6 I owned briefly was was less than satisfactory to me (not necessarily to you), but a friend has one that seems only marginally worse than my M4-2. The flare is very situation dependent. I am almost never bothered by rangefinder flare with my M4-2, but did encounter it regularly in a particular setting last week.

Hi

When I got an M4 back from a shutter replacement service, the docket said something like also 'fitted a finder enhancement to reduce flare', think it was a factory suggested modification. It never flared like a M6 either before or after the service, the M2 and M3s never flare like a M6...
An early M4-2 never flared like a/my M6.
My M6 would flare with a light source in top right part of scene just outside 5cm 24x36 frame, but only the rangefinder spot flared, it went 100% white. The M6 had bad zinc rot as well.
Leica did not seem overly concerned about customer satisfaction, but now MPs are nice.
My French is not so good...

Noel

clogz · Jan 14, 2013

The solution: http://www.leicagoodies.com/ Look under 'shade' and your problems might be solved. Then again there is the zinc rot...... Go and load your camera with film and don't worry....

Xmas · Jan 15, 2013

clogz said:
The solution: http://www.leicagoodies.com/ Look under 'shade' and your problems might be solved. Then again there is the zinc rot...... Go and load your camera with film and don't worry....

Well I sold the M6 and bought a M2

mhcfires · Jan 17, 2013

Xmas said:
Well I sold the M6 and bought a M2

I love my M2. I think it is a much better camera than the M6.

thomasw_ · Jan 17, 2013

mhcfires said:
I love my M2. I think it is a much better camera than the M6.

I agree, much prefer the m2/3/4 VFs over the later brothers. Any VF irritation is to be avoided if it can be as far as I am concerned; this includes having no blinking, distracting/red-haze-causing lights in my M's VF for me! In my experience, the m6 flare was situational -- but when it occurred, it ruined the shot. If you shoot in situations where it occurs, it could be a hassle for you, too. That situational possibility noted, the M6 to MP VF upgrade is still a great deal less than buying a MP; you end up with a camera that is functionally the same as a M6 with one exception: the MP light meter is one stop more sensitive than the standard M6's. Yet using either a M6 or a MP meter in low light is a no-go for me -- it blinks and produces a red haze -- which has caused me to lose shots. Much prefer how the all-mechanical M's VFs just let me think, compose and shoot

Xmas · Jan 18, 2013

Hi

I normally use IXMOO & MPs dont do IXMOO, but if you are worried by the red glow leave the battery out, but I dont have any problems with the M2 or M3 finder even if the cover glass is not coated.

Noel

Leica rangefinder flare?

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency