Re: [Leica] Rubber finder ring smudges glasses...cure???

[Bmceowen@aol.com]

In a message dated 6/25/00 6:34:55 AM, MichaelHintlian@compuserve.com writes:

<< The pair of M6's I am using daily are both 10 years old.  The thin rubber

ring around the finder is breaking down from age and use (I guess) and the

byproduct of this breakdown is leaving a oily/waxy residue on my glasses. 

Its driving me nuts...I am constantly cleaning off my right eyeglass. 

Leica service says they can replace the rings for $70. in parts plus labor

which turns into $200+ plus time without the gear. 


So the question...has anyone found a quick cure for this?  Are there

alternatives?   >>

Based on a recommendation I received in this group, I use rubber garden hose 
washers around the eyepiece. I customize mine by beveling them with the 
sanding drum on the Dremel tool and clipping one edge even with the top of 
the camera. They stick out just enough beyond the eyepiece to avoid glasses 
to eyepiece contact. They fit perfectly around the eyepiece but for extra 
security I use a piece of double sided tape on the back of the ring. I think 
I paid about 99 cents for a dozen of these rings (ssssh! Don't tell Leica). 
The only problem is all the hose washers I could find are red which looks a 
little weird on a black camera. Does anyone have any idea how to cover up a 
distracting red detail on a Leica? . . . . 

Bob (Ozark engineering meets Leitz precision) McEowen