The vertical allignment on my CL is a little off. So I was wondering if I could fix it myself. I popped off the little cap that covers the only thing that I could see being an adjustment screw (near the hot shoe). I figured that this would just be the vertical allignment. After all, why would Leica put the RF adjustment screw somehwere that idiots could so easily get to it?

Anyway, after sticking a screwdriver down there and giving it a little turn, I realized that it was the real RF adjustment screw. I then realized that I had just messed up the one thing that makes a RF camera work. So I went outside and pointed the camera at a bright light about a mile away (it was dark outside). Then I fiddled with the screw until the image was lined up with the lens at infinity. My vertical allignment is still a little off.

So, did I mess anything up? I tested it via the "tape on the mirror at one meter" method and everything seemed to be okay. Is there an easy way to mess with the RF vertical allignment?

-- Josh Root (rootj@att.net), July 24, 2001

Answers

I have never worked on a CL but the hole in the top cover is where the basic rangefinder adjustments are done. It is easier if the top cover is off. Be careful not to marr the cover or plug. If you look in the hole you should see an eccentric nut with a setscrew in the centre. These two adjustments move the objective lens (the one that piviots with the rangefinder arm). The eccentric nut adjusts for horizontal alignment and the setscrew adjusts vertical alignment. Either adjustment will affect the other so you have to adjust both to correct either. Do not use pliers! Get tools that fit properly and you will lessen any chance of cosmetic or, worse, mechanical damage. Only apply light force in the required direction. DO NOT PUSH DOWN AGAINST THE RANGEFINDER MECHANISM!!!!

Cheers,

-- John Collier (jbcollier@powersurfr.com), July 24, 2001.