[Leica] HELP!!!! - M3 disaster! Advice sought

[dennis at geckohale.com (Dennis)]

There are two prisms in the rangefinder that provide an optical path to 
the eyepiece from the main viewfinder window and from the rangefinder 
window. The two prisms are glued together along a 45 degree angle to the 
light coming from the main window and exiting the eyepiece. These prisms 
have come apart along the glue line. Light from the main window is then 
internally reflected to the side at that 45 degree angle thus does not 
reach the eyepiece. Light from the rangefinder window enters the side of 
the 2nd prism and is internally reflected back to the eyepiece. This 
explains what you now see through the damaged finder.

In the past Leica has "repaired" these damaged M3 finders with the M2 
finder. or the M6 finder. If Leica still does this it's likely they only 
have M6 finders. Those were made in 3 different magnifications so you 
may or may not have a choice, if the service is still available. The M6 
finder will also have up to the 6 framelines available and be displayed 
in pairs.

It may be difficult to find a repair specialist that is capable of 
re-gluing the prisms, assuming there is not physical damage that 
precludes such a repair.

If you want to retain a M3 finder I think your best option is to find a 
repair specialist that can swap finder from a donor M3 into yours. It 
may turn out that just buying a used M3 is the most cost effective option.

Bests and good luck,
Dennis
> Peter Dzwig <mailto:pdzwig at summaventures.com>
> Sunday, July 29, 2018 3:21 AM
> All,
>
> travelling in France. I knocked my M3 off my bedside table and it fell
> on to a floor of "tomette" tiles, landing square on its top plate.
> Result is that I can only see the centre focussing rectangle and the
> framelines.I presume that this means that I have somehow managed to
> shake the viewfinder loose in some way.
>
> (i) anyone got any smart ideas to fix it in the short term;
>
> (ii) Obviously it needs to be properly fixed when I get back in two or
> three weeks. Anyone got the name and address of a good M3 repairer in
> the UK? I know it could go back to Leica, but I suspect they will charge
> and arm and a leg and take forever, and as it non-current technology I
> bet they won't be too keen.
>
> Thanks
>
> Peter
>
> PS to make matters worse the IIIf is away for a CLA. I had thought about
> Classic Camera and Red Dot in London but personal recommendations count
> for a lot :-)
>
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