Blick auxiliary rangefinder

[andrealed]

I need one aux rangefinder for my new Isolette II: what about our FSU friends? Any opinions about the rangefinders from the iron curtain? Accuracy, baselenght, easy of use, viewfinder, adjusting etc etc. Btw, any other suggestions about an external auxiliary rangefinders?
Thank you
Andrea

 

[ZorkiKat]

Yes the "BLIK" would work. You use the rangefinder to measure your camera to subject distance and focus your lens accordingly. No need to worry about baselength and adjustment issues. The Jsolette has a modest aperture; in most shooting situations with the lens set at around f/8, focusing is quite excellent.

Use is a bit slow at the start, but this becomes quite easy to do in time. Often, you'd probably be 'guesstimating' distances (and find yourself doing it fairly accurately at that), and use the rangefinder only for near-distance (under 2 m)
shooting.

I've used the BLIK on my Jsolette V, but I prefer the older "Smena" rangefinder (supplied for the Smena, Smena-2) with this camera. Aside from being made of metal, this rangefinder is a contemporary of the Jsolette, so looks and styles don't clash 🙂

 

[lushd]

I had a late plastic Blik and it was horrible. It had all the faults of Soviet manufacturing and none of the virtues whatever. After a few weeks it expired under the weight of its own internal contradictions and was given a decent burial.

 

[VictorM.]

Good aux. rangefinders: Voigtlander, Walz, Watameter. I also have a Pollux with a slightly faded mirror, but it works OK in bright light. Keep in mind that some will read in meters and others in feet. You will want one that matches the distance markings on your lens.