Checklist when buying used Rangefinder

[artspraken]

A general guide based on my shopping experience.

feel free to add and share tips what to check

1. Pull back the film advance lever. It should be smooth with minor mechanical click.
   
2. Release shutter at every shutter speed. Observe the difference in the sound of each click. At slower speed, there should be a winding sound.
   
3. Open the camera when you do point 2 above, check that the curtain open and close at different velocity depending on speed.
   
4. Check shutter curtains not leaking light. With the curtain closed, look under bright light and check for holes inside the curtain.
   
5. Check Viewfinder - bright, clean and clear? Scratches? Check by looking through the VF, and also looking at the VF window in front.
   
6. Check Preview lever - do the framelines in the viewfinder change when you toggle the preview lever?
   
7. Check the rewind lever, should click into place. Cannot be too loose or too tight.
   
8. Check rewind lever. It must rotate smoothly, no friction.
   
9. Check film chamber: No rust. No debris.
   
10. Check pressure plate. No scratches. Need to be smooth.
    
11. Check film sprocket shaft - fit ok?
    
12. Check lens mount. Check L seal (if applicable). Test mount a lens and see if firm fit. Test the lens detachment lever.
    
13. Check the camera body externals / paint/ scratches / brassing - cosmetic but relevant to price.
    
14. Check the lock on the base plate is secure.
    
15. Check the timer lever. test shot
    
16. Check film counter reset to zero when film spool is taken out.

 

[raytoei]

+1 for artspraken this thread should be a sticky

if i can add,

* bring batteries to test meter, many of the camera meters don't work. eg. Leica CL are notorious for failing

* check the seals commonly found between the body and the door. Seals gets gummy and allow light to come in destroying the film.
This problem can be fixed by buying seals for various cameras.
* The rewind button on some Rangefinder eg. Olympus 35SP refuse to rewind in place, so rewinding requires the the button to be depressed constantly.
* The VF Patch can be dimmed (like the Olympus XA) or even have fungus like one I say on a friend's M2.

 

[Royale With Cheese]

Dont think you have to sticky this one, just copy & paste to the "So You Want To RF" thread

 

[ed9119]

duuhhhhhh...... check that the rangefinder patches align properly when focussing ?

 

[ed9119]

duuhhhhhh...... check that the rangefinder patches align properly when focussing ?

 

[virtualme78]

check for corrosion on contacts in battery chamber?

Maybe we can have a checklist for digital Ms as well...

 

[anerjee]

Should i memorize this? too uncool to print and bring to the shop/trade?

 

[zixaw]

Its your money, there is nothing wrong with being careful about buying something especially something that is used.

 

[anerjee]

Makes sense, am looking for an M6 or a ZI.

Related question: how reliable are the shops near/around Peninsula plaza -- like Prime, Ben Photo etc? Anyone bought from them?

 

[artspraken]

If u asking abt reliability, i say yes Gemerally reliable because they give inhouse warranty for 3 months, but note that caveat emptor buying used items there will be latent wear and tear issues associated with used items.

If u asking abt price, i find all these shops very ex. I usually dont buy from shop