agueco
Member
You can count me in with those who admire Nikon's ingenuity developing a gadget that illuminates the framelines of their Nikon SP in low light conditions. This frameline illuminator device is quite rare and commands big bucks from collectors. One day I decided to fabricate a similar device for my Epson R-D1s (I find my Epson's framelines a little inferior in low light conditions compared to my Leica M6). For this project, I used the foot of an old vintage flash accessory, an LED pocket flashlight from a thrift store, gorilla glue, and glossy black spray paint. The following is the result. Enjoy! 
Here are some close ups of my device.
Illuminator Off
Illuminator On
Note: The difference in frameline illumination between the above 2 photos may not be that apparent (due to my compact P&S digi's auto exposure) but in reality the difference IS striking. The framelines really glow when the illuminator is turned on and are very hard to see when it is turned off.
The actual hand held photo taken (room lights were off).
Here are some close ups of my device.
Illuminator Off
Illuminator On
Note: The difference in frameline illumination between the above 2 photos may not be that apparent (due to my compact P&S digi's auto exposure) but in reality the difference IS striking. The framelines really glow when the illuminator is turned on and are very hard to see when it is turned off.
The actual hand held photo taken (room lights were off).
Wallo
Member
You know what. I haven't really had too much trouble with the framelines, but that's a nice little project. I think I want to make one of those myself.
Ezzie
E. D. Russell Roberts
One of those things that I didn't know I needed
bennyng
Benny Ng
Nifty gadget! And nice tank!
Cheers,
Cheers,
Mr_Flibble
In Tabulas Argenteas Refero
Nicely designed little gizmo. An elegant solution to your problem.
It needs another accessory shoe on top of it
It needs another accessory shoe on top of it
Ezzie
E. D. Russell Roberts
Nicely designed little gizmo. An elegant solution to your problem.
It needs another accessory shoe on top of it
Who uses flash in the dark? Whooops, I do. Then again you can get one of these:
Ezzie
E. D. Russell Roberts
Does it at all help with the rather dim focusing patch as well?
agueco
Member
Thanks everyone for all your positive comments!
@ Ezzie - unfortunately no, it does not help with the dim focussing patch
In fact you must be very careful to position the illuminator in such a way as to not get any stray beams of light into the small rangefinder window or else the patch will indeed flare badly.
Still a work in progress.....
Regards,
...Adrian
@ Ezzie - unfortunately no, it does not help with the dim focussing patch
In fact you must be very careful to position the illuminator in such a way as to not get any stray beams of light into the small rangefinder window or else the patch will indeed flare badly.
Still a work in progress.....
Regards,
...Adrian
Nive, very nice! I need to make one of those for the SP. The originals are expensive!
agueco
Member
@ Brian - Go for it! Those multi colored framelines of the SP would surely light up like a Christmas tree at night ... hehehe
I agree, the original accessory is definitely pricey $$
I agree, the original accessory is definitely pricey $$