Anyone familiar with this rangefinder?

[ray*j*gun]

Hi,

I purchased this vintage range finder to help me with my Bessa I which has a lens calibrated in feet. Its in nice cosmetic shape but tested against my M6 finder, it reads long. Does anyone know how they are adjusted or might be able to give me a source to learn about this finder. The brand name is Saymon-Brown made in NY.

It looks like there are 2 screws on top near the eye piece that might be adjustments.

Thanks as always!

Ray

 

[ray*j*gun]

Some additional pics.

 

[ZeissFan]

It's very unlikely that you'll be able to calibrate that to match your M6. What you need to do is to ensure that it's calibrated to infinity.

If you were to compare it with three different cameras, you'll probably find that you'll get slightly different readings on all three cameras.

 

[ray*j*gun]

I agree, and that would work fine for a scale focus pre-war Bessa but do you have any idea as to how to make the adjustments mechanically?

Thanks.

Ray

It's very unlikely that you'll be able to calibrate that to match your M6. What you need to do is to ensure that it's calibrated to infinity.

If you were to compare it with three different cameras, you'll probably find that you'll get slightly different readings on all three cameras.

 

[ZeissFan]

Those two screws might be caps that allow you to access the adjustment screws.

Remove the two screws and peer inside with the aid of a flashlight. If there are screws that you can see:

1) Slide the rangefinder into any camera with an accessory shoe.

2) Mount the camera to a tripod.

3) Turn the screws and see what happens. Very likely, one is for horizontal adjustment, and the other is for vertical adjustment.

4) Adjust while viewing an object from a far distance (at least 1/4 mile). Make sure the dial is set to infinity while making adjustments.

5) Don't try to make any comparisons with any cameras. Just make sure it's calibrated to infinity, which will be visible in the viewfinder of this device.

It looks like someone had done something with this in the past, because the slots in some of the screwheads are damaged. However, it shouldn't make any difference to the calibration routine unless it's severely out of calibration.

 

[ray*j*gun]

Thanks I will.....and thanks for the response.

Ray

 

[FallisPhoto]

Some additional pics.

I don't much like "stick-type" rangefinders and use mostly Watameters and their clones (Telex, Rondo, CIP and so on) on my scale focus cameras. However, common sense suggests that you first try the slotted screw adjustment that is immediately to the right of the eyepiece (the big slotted screw between the eyepiece and the dial). It is obviously there to adjust something, since I can't see that it serves any purpose in holding the thing together -- and that slotted screw is in pretty much the same place where you'd find the horizontal adjustment scew on an Ideal rangefinder (another, similar, brand of stick rangefinder).

BTW, some leather consolidant, a little mink oil, and some leather dye will do wonders for that pouch. http://www.conservationresources.com/Main/section_29/section29_17.htm

 

[ray*j*gun]

Thanks Fallis........both of those screws are plugs I took them both out. I have not yet attempted an adjustment as I was hoping to get some guidance on which one does which adjustment. Now that I have some idea I will play with adjusting the image to infinity.

Thanks again.

Ray

 

[VictorM.]

Adjusting for infinity is just a start. Then check it at a near distance you are likely to use, i.e. 10 feet. Adjust if needed, then check infinity again. I usually check both 6 feet and 12 feet, as well as infinity, because I don't need the rangefinder for infinity. I can usually guess infinity pretty closely, but the near distances are a little trickier and more critical.

 

[vdonovan]

Hi folks - I just purchased a scale-focus folder and have been cursing my poor ability to judge distances. I didn't realize there was such a thing as an accessory rangefinder until I read this thread. Now I want one! Do any of you know of a good collector website or discussion thread where I can educate myself about these things?

Fallis, you mention "Watameters and their clones" so you obviously know a lot. Have you written any kind of round-up article to educate your fellow rangefinder camera fans about, uh, rangefinders?