Nikon SP Projected Framelines - dim?

[VPS160]

I recently bought a 1960/61 Nikon SP. After taking the camera out into the field, I noticed the projected framelines in the main VF can get quite dim when looking at bright subjects. The 50mm lines are generally OK, but the 85 and 105mm lines get somewhat obscured, while the 135mm lines are almost invisible.

Is this somewhat normal for the SP? Or an indication of haze in the finder elements? Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Miles.]

Quite normal at this point. There is no rebuilding them but if the finder is otherwise hazy, a good cleaning will generally improve their clarity somewhat.

 

[VPS160]

Quite normal at this point. There is no rebuilding them but if the finder is otherwise hazy, a good cleaning will generally improve their clarity somewhat.

Very true. It's a question of where the haze is and if it's possible to clean.

My SP's finder is an enigma. It has some fungus in the edges of the main finder that doesn't effect the viewing to the best of my knowledge. I've accepted that can't be cleaned. Otherwise it has an excellent patch, which is most important IMO.

 

[Alpsman]

Depending on the brightness of the object and the light, it can sometimes be a little difficult to see the frame or the rangefinder spot in the middle.
But remember, the camera is over 60 years old.
Not all of my friends survived 60 years.
I now have the problem that I can no longer see the spot in the middle well without glasses. But that's not the camera's fault, it's my eyes.
There used to be an attachment for correction lenses that you put in the viewfinder shoe. There used to be . . . long time ago.
I've been thinking for a while about a construction into which the normal correction lenses of the Nikon F2 could be screwed. Maybe we can make something with 3D printing.
We sure want to continue using this best of all rangefinder cameras ;-)

 

[wes loder]

Depending on the brightness of the object and the light, it can sometimes be a little difficult to see the frame or the rangefinder spot in the middle.
But remember, the camera is over 60 years old.
Not all of my friends survived 60 years.
I now have the problem that I can no longer see the spot in the middle well without glasses. But that's not the camera's fault, it's my eyes.
There used to be an attachment for correction lenses that you put in the viewfinder shoe. There used to be . . . long time ago.
I've been thinking for a while about a construction into which the normal correction lenses of the Nikon F2 could be screwed. Maybe we can make something with 3D printing.
We sure want to continue using this best of all rangefinder cameras ;-)

Several people have used the eye correction slip-ons for the Nikon EM and adapted them to the SP. Have not figured out how they do it myself, but it is a possibility.

 

[Kai-san]

Several people have used the eye correction slip-ons for the Nikon EM and adapted them to the SP. Have not figured out how they do it myself, but it is a possibility.

I have done it, it works beautifully. The recipe used to be on Nikon Historical society, but I don't have the link. Maybe someone else here has it. If not you can PM me with your mail address, I've got it on a pdf file.

 

[wes loder]

I have done it, it works beautifully. The recipe used to be on Nikon Historical society, but I don't have the link. Maybe someone else here has it. If not you can PM me with your mail address, I've got it on a pdf file.

<MWL2@psu.edu> Thanks, WES

 

[Alpsman]

Have I already mentioned that I love this forum and its forum members?

The EM correction lens was in the back of my mind somewhere.
But then you have the problem of finding the right strength. The prices with shipping costs and import duties are also not to be underestimated.
That's why I'm trying to construct something that theoretically anyone can do (3D printed model) and with a correction lens that is relatively easy to get.
The correction lens with 19 mm thread also fits on the Fuji GS / GSW and some others.
And my inventiveness feels addressed ;-)
I also have an S2 lying around that has the same problem with the eye correction.