Magnifying Lamps

[galavanter]

I just purchased an Olympus XA and 35 RC and of course they both need light seals. I've ordered some from Jon Goodman, and with his detailed instructions I just might be able to handle it.

I've decided I need a magnifying lamp to assist me. I'm assuming this is a common tool for those of you who work on your own cameras.

Any recommendations for one under or around $50.00? I also would appreciate any advice on the light source, diopters, etc.

Just a decent basic model is what I am looking for, one that does the job and stays put. This will be on my desk, not in a workshop. Thanks.

 

[FallisPhoto]

I've decided I need a magnifying lamp to assist me. I'm assuming this is a common tool for those of you who work on your own cameras.

Actually, you won't need it, unless you have really bad eyes and bad glasses too. However, for working with small parts (some of those screws can be smaller than pinheads) I find a magnifying headset to be a lot handier. It doesn't get in the way, and it lets you move the camera around more. It costs a lot less too. Something like this will do fine: http://cgi.ebay.com/HEAD-SET-MAGNIF...ryZ56185QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

[galavanter]

That looks like a good alternative, but since my desk lamp conked out I figured I might find something that could serve both purposes.
I received my most recent ebay acquisition yesterday, a Petri 7S. The rangefinder was out of alignment and I managed to take off the top plate and adjust it (by just bending the mirror per the online repair manual) without anything other than my drug store reading glasses. I sure was grateful for the manual when the "spool friction spring" plopped out and I had no idea where it came from or what it was.

 

[FallisPhoto]

That looks like a good alternative, but since my desk lamp conked out I figured I might find something that could serve both purposes.
I received my most recent ebay acquisition yesterday, a Petri 7S. The rangefinder was out of alignment and I managed to take off the top plate and adjust it (by just bending the mirror per the online repair manual) without anything other than my drug store reading glasses. I sure was grateful for the manual when the "spool friction spring" plopped out and I had no idea where it came from or what it was.

Well, there are these: http://cgi.ebay.com/USED-O-C-WHITE-...ryZ14019QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/Trim-Desk-Magni...oryZ3297QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
They would not be pretty and would require mounting to the Desk. If you want them to stay put, you would at least have to drill a hole in the top or maybe drive a couple of screws (the clamp-on kind won't really stay put unless you drive a couple of screws through the top of the clamp). On the other hand, they would be a lot more useful than the next lot.

Or are you thinking more along the lines of something like these? http://cgi.ebay.com/PWR-HOBBY-MAGNI...oryZ3201QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/LIGHTED-TABLE-T...ryZ34084QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://www.taylorgifts.com/prodetail~itemno~28324~src~SHPNGS46.asp
They don't look like they'd be especially stable, not when extended over a work area anyway, but they wouldn't require messing up the top of your desk.

Congratulations on getting the Petri. My last ebay aquisition, which I received at about the same time as yours, was a Kodak Signet 35 (great lens, nice body, but mediocre shutter). It was one of the easiest cameras I have ever worked on. Had the whole thing stripped down, cleaned, lubed, polished, reassembled and loaded with film in about 4 hours.

 

[galavanter]

Thanks for taking the time to dig up those links. I've been looking around online but maybe this is a purchase I should make locally, since build quality is hard to judge.

Yeah I had a regular desk lamp once that clamped on the side, and it didn't stay put.
Maybe one with a weighted base would be best.

I'll be happy to just get the light seals in successfully, no cla attempts in my future, but then again, who knows?

 

[FallisPhoto]

I'll be happy to just get the light seals in successfully, no cla attempts in my future, but then again, who knows?

Well, if you do attempt it, I'd recommend that you start off with a decent Prontor-shuttered folder, a Kodak Signet 35 or an Argus C-3. Those are relatively easy, simple-to-work-on cameras, good for "getting your feet wet." They are not just junk either, but once repaired/restored/CLAd, will be worth having and using.

 

[Pablito]

Get a LUXO , expensive but will last a lifetieme and beyond.

 

[galavanter]

Thanks Pablito. I was hoping there was a recognized leading brand and it appears Luxo is it. Costco even sells what is probably their least expensive model:

http://www.costco.com/Browse/Produc...=1&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&Nty=1&topnav=&s=1

Why they even star in their own movie! I read the director/writer had a Luxo lamp on his desk:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_bgf93XFkI&fmt=18