rangefinder adjustmant

[Jeff Moore <jbm@instinet.com>]

Welch <Bill.Welch@pressroom.com> wrote:
> And as he explains it to me, 
> the M rangefinder is adjusted simply by focusing on an object at infinity 
> and then using the hidden screws to make the double images line up. So 
> you should be able to check that your rangefinder is working by making 
> sure everything looks right on a subject at infinity every now and then. 
> If it doesn't, you can bet it won't be right at closer distances.

That conflicts with what I heard a few years ago, and I'd be interested in 
knowing what's right...  I was given to understand that there are *two* 
RF adjustments in the M, one corresponding more to the near range and another 
more to the far.  My M6, actually, seems to focus pretty accurately on 
closeish things, but is definitely off by the time it gets to infinity (the 
rangefinder disagrees with lenses' mechanical infinity, and photos confirm 
that the lens scales are right).  I've been remarkably lazy about having 
this fixed, instead just adapting my technique;  but one of these days I 
should get it set right.  Anybody know if this is something an owner can muck 
with in relative safety, or should I pack the beast off to a certified 
white-coated Leica acolyte?

If I ship the puppy off, I guess I'll have another problem of my own making 
dealt with.  A word of warning:  in the same realm of user-inflicted damage as 
front-elements abrasion caused by the `obsessive cleaning' mentioned earlier 
lies the mild viewfinder fogging seen by the obsessive and excessive Dust-Off(tm) 
user...

- -Jeff