Canon VI-L problem

[Daan]

I bought a Canon VI-L off ebay a couple days ago, but there are some problems with it.
First of all the pressure plate is missing.
This is annoying but i'm sure i can find a replacement for that,
maybe form a russian camera.
The bigger problem is that the vertical alignment is of.

On closer inspection i found that the round window in front of the rangefinder patch seems to be missing.

Otherwise the camera functions good.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!


Unfortenaly i'm located far away from the seller and returning it isn't really an (economical) option because of the shipping cost and custom fees.

 

[xayraa33]

Other than returning the camera for a refund, you need to get a parts Canon VT, L1, or VIT , VIL camera to utilize the complete hinged door or just the pressure plate and the RF trim ring.
If you had a Canon bottomloader the Rf trim ring off a FED 2 or 3 would have worked, but the hinged back Canons had a larger diameter RF window.
For now you can turn the round glass RF window prism to get proper vertical alignment and lock it in place with a drop of nail polish.

 

[ZeissFan]

As you know, you can't shoot the camera without a pressure plate.

That means that you're now in the position of having to buy a second camera to fix the first. What will happen is the second might be better than the first. So you might be able to sell it for parts, or perhaps combine parts from the two to create one camera. Or you'll have to buy a pressure plate from someone, unless someone can give you the part from one of their junkers.

Either way, this might end up costing you more money. Many of us have been down this road before.

 

[xayraa33]

BTW, looking closely at the photo you provided, the camera looks to be missing the round RF window prism (the glass part).

 

[Daan]

thanks for the advice guys...

yes it's the whole glass part that's missing.

And on the back it's just the pressure plate missing (i've attached a picture)

That's what i'm afraid of to zeissfan but i'm not sure if i'm ready to give up yet.

 

[xayraa33]

A parts camera is not that hard to find for a low price.
over 8,000 VITs and 10,000 VILs were made .

 

[bennyng]

I do think it's more economical to get another working camera. A canon VT just ended on the bay for under US$170. All parts intact and seems to be in a good working condition too. I would return the camera and consider it a lesson learned.

Cheers,

 

[Sonnar Brian]

Is the prism missing from the RF, or just a window?

I would try to return it, or get a partial refund to buy a parts camera.

Are you sure the camera is working, and THIS one was not stripped for parts?

 

[John Shriver]

Well, VI-T's are a lot cheaper than VI-L's, so they are the better parts donor.

 

[Daan]

Thanks for all the advice guys, maybe i should look for a VI-T as a donor.

The dealer did give me a partial return.

The camera seems to be working fine, all shutterspeeds sounds good and the rangefinder works only it's off vertically.
I think it's just the window missing, i can see the diagonal mirror behind it.
Is it possible to get the alignment in order without the front window?

 

[Sonnar Brian]

I would not use it until the front cover glass is in. not only for dust getting in, but because the prism can fall out.

 

[Daan]

i'll keep that in mind brian....
so for now it's a nice and expensive paperweight

 

[johannielscom]

Daan,

place an ad in the Classifieds here, asking for a cheap donor camera. Or better still, have someone send the parts from a donor camera over, that way you will not get slapped with import taxes and too much postage fees.

Also, you can edit your signature on RFF, it will also change with all the messages you ever posted here and gets you a lot of additional exposure.

I hope you get the Canon going soon!

 

[Bill58]

Why don't you just contact some of the well-known camera repair firms by email to see if they have the missing parts? Many of them have parts cameras that they "cannibalize" (part-out).

Maybe other members can chime in, but below is a starter list:

Sherry Krauter
DAG
Mark Hama
CRR Luton -UK
Essex--UK
http://www.japanexposures.com/services/#parts
Pacific Rim
http://www.lhsa.org/resources/repair_services/show/10/
Blue Moon Camera Repair

Good luck,
Bill

BTW--its a fine camera worth the trouble!

 

[Daan]

he bill thanks for the list, i'll contact them for the parts.

and maybe i'll also put a wanted ad out in the classifieds.

And i agree the camera is worth the trouble