Rangefinder question

Domenico Foschi · Dec 25, 2009

I am in the market for a Leica M2. So far one of the candidates' description states that looking at the front part of the rangefinder it's possible to see some yellow golden lines at the edges, reminiscent of elements separation. Sometime ago I read somewhere that it's not advisable to purchase a Leica with the beginning of separation specifically in the rangefinder. I am not sure if this is the case in this specific camera.
The seller says that this is a common characteristic with Leica M2s and that doesn't present any problem. Are this the words of an unscrupulous seller or the words of experience?
Thank you.

Larry.Manuel · Dec 25, 2009

You might benefit from swinging over to Rangefinderforum dot com, and addressing your question to Tom Abrahamsson. I believe he has (12) M2s, and knows an awful lot about them. He is very generous in answering questions. A great guy.

jmcd · Dec 26, 2009

The golden droplets you describe are the beginning of balsam separation, and an M2 displaying this should sell for less. The camera can go on working just fine for years and years with no deterioration, or the prism can separate resulting in a blacked out viewa sharp impact can cause the prism to fail. But there is no real predicting how stable the viewfinder will be over time.

There is at least one repair person who will glue a fully separated prism in an M2 with a modern adhesive, Youxin Ye.

jmcd · Dec 26, 2009

An M2 viewfinder with the golden droplets, beginning of viewfinder prism separation.

Domenico Foschi · Dec 26, 2009

Thank you both.
jmcd at this point I think that is what is happening to this particular M2. The camera has been recently CLAd by Youxin Ye, and probably the owner didn't want to spend the extra money to re-cement the prism.

df cardwell · Dec 26, 2009

DAG (Don Goldberg) has just re-cemented an M3 prism for me.

Wonderful.

Good luck, D

jmcd · Dec 26, 2009

"The camera has been recently CLAd by Youxin Ye, and probably the owner didn't want to spend the extra money to re-cement the prism."

If the prism has not yet failed, Youxin does not force the separation, as this would be risky, and the prism may perform with a perfectly good view for years and years.

Larry.Manuel · Dec 26, 2009

Related comments: My 1956 M3 is in great shape, and yet I know something like the prism separation could happen. However, it will be repairable - and that delights me. [Don't worry.]

Domenico Foschi · Dec 29, 2009

Thank you for the answers. I got the camera on "that auction site" for $ 505.00 included shipping. I don't have it in my hands yet, but I feel I got a good deal as the only semi-serious problem is the one mentioned and a few scratches and blemishes due to use.
The camera was CLAd by Youxin Ye in 2008, which means that probably is still under specs.
I am just waiting,...waiting....

Rangefinder question

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