I am looking at an M3. It is in very good condition but when looking through the viewfinder at the rangefinder rectangle, this does not appear totally homogenous. There is a small area within the rangefinder rectangle that is clear -ie. not the whitish/cream colour of the rest of the rectangle, but transparent. I hope this is understandable!!

It is a small area and does not affect the focussing capability. Can someone tell me whether I should be concerned about this? If it is just cosmetics I do not care. However I would be concerned if it is an indication that the whole rangefinder might be deteriorating.

Thanks in advance for your comments.

-- enrique munoz (enrique.munoz@ru.pwcglobal.com), July 19, 2001

Answers

I know nothing about camera repair. But could that area mean that a bit of the RF mirror silvering has fallen off?

-- Josh Root (rootj@att.net), July 19, 2001.

Try covering up the main window and then the RF window with your hand so that you can see each without the other. This may help in diagnosing whether part of the image is missing or faded or whatever.

-- Andy Piper (apidens@denver.infi.net), July 19, 2001.

it could also be a decementing in the rangefinder, be careful with knoks

-- r watson (al1231234@hotmail.com), July 19, 2001.

When I cover the frameline window I still see it. To me it looks like a bit of RF mirror silvering has fallen off (this is the same as decementing I assume). With normal use how serious is this? Should I not buy the camera, or is it likely that it will not deteriorate further. If it did get worse, how much might it cost to repair? I know this has been asked before, but various threads have different answers. Thanks.

-- enrique munoz (enrique.munoz@ru.pwcglobal.com), July 20, 2001.