Alternative to Albada finder

[bwidjaja]

Hi,
I am a new Zeiss Super Ikonta user. As much as i love using the folder, I have to say the finder is annoying at times. Anybody has any alternative solutions for a view finder? DIY tips will be great.
Thank you
Berhen

 

[Steve M.]

Which model do you have? I am assuming that you have a 531? I always liked the Albada finders. Have you tried cleaning yours really well w/ lens cleaning fluid and tissue? That helped brighten up the ones I had. The only other solution is to take the finder off a lower end model and put it onto yours. Some of the Ikontas and Weltas had simpler finders that are still clear, but it is going to be a project to get it mounted on your camera unless you get really lucky and it just screws on.

 

[bwidjaja]

Steve, I have the 531/2 model. Purchased it from Jurgen at certo6 fully CLA'd, so I assume it is a pretty clean one (i have no comparison yet). It is usable outdoors in bright light. But still nowhere close to even a dim Canon P viewfinder. Was thinking if there is a way to mount something like a CV viewfinder for 35mm camera.

 

[literiter]

The Albada finder are usually pretty bad in the 531-2 . I've taken mine apart and cleaned all the elements which didn't seem to help a whole lot. The problem lies in the front element which is two pieces of glass, one is 1/2 silvered (like a beam splitter) then sandwiched together with Canada balsam.

I think the silver comes away from the glass or the Canada balsam reacts with it.

I did experiment with the finder from a Moskva 2, which is like the finder from the earlier Ikonta 530-2 and found it fits!.