As a follow-up to my own post #1, the top cap of the focus knob has fallen off recently. Again, just by sheer luck, I found it again. But the uneasy feeling about this construction has been reinforced! As it happened while I was on a lengthy trip, the definite loss would have opened the focus mechanism to dust and sand! I guess, I'll use some glue again, as the original problem has not recurred since I added that glue. No complaints optically, except for some glare in certain situations. But other than that, I am still very happy with my FLs.
That focus is still silky smooth. One problem that may be a result of it is the fact that it very easily shifts on its own while I simply carry the binoculars. I experience the same on my Leica 77 spotting scope with respect to the shift in the zoom setting of the eyepiece.
The same thing has happened to the 7x42 FL's of a friend of mine;
the top cap of the focus knob has come off.
A bit of history on this particular pair of 7x42 FL's: they were mine until I sold them to my friend in november 2007.
Reading back this whole thread I noticed my own postings, when I still owned this particular specimen and nothing seemed wrong with them.
By mid 2007 the diopter adjustment went berzerk, shifting its position irregularly when I changed the IPD. The only clickstop is at the 'zero' position, and there it's held firmly.
I decided to get rid of the 7x42 FL's because I didn't trust the diopter design without clickstops except the one at 'zero', and my friend wanted to upgrade his Leica 8x42 BA. He was very interested in the FL's, and after I'd told him about the flawed diopter that couldn't be trusted, he was still eager to get the FL. He'd use it with the diopter on 0 permanently, he said, so he saw no problems.
I gave in and sold him the 7x42 FL's for € 250.- , in november 2007.
Today I was at his place because we were going out for diner with our wives, and while they were upstairs dressing up, I looked around a bit, waiting, when I noticed my old 7x42 FL's on a bookshelf. For old times sake, I took them off the shelf, and noticed the missing top cap on the focus knob.
Turning the focus wheel, it went smoothly, turning around an axis now revealed.
I never looked at the diopter position. Couldn't bring myself to do so.
The view was magnificent, when I looked out into the backyard, so optically these are still nice. Being used to image stabilized Canons for well over a year now, I found even the 7x to have a noticeable shake. I dare say I can hold my 18x50 IS Canons with IS on more steady than the 7x42 FL's.
Anyhow, I put them back on the shelf and waited for the others to come down.
I didn't ask how it had happened, how the top cap had gone lost.
Sadly this is the second case, since Robert's posting on this thread.
I thought I'd mention it, for the sake of statistics.
On occasion I'll ask my friend how it happened, and if he'll let me, post back on this thread for a follow up.
Kind regards,
Ronald