Canon ViT top removal, Help wanted!

[laptoprob]

Hi there,
This must be an easy question: In order to clean the viewfinder I need to take the top of my ViT off. All screws and knobs are off except the rewind button, but that does not hold the top down. It seems to be fixed somewhere on the left side, but I am clueless now. The flash bit is screwed out ofcourse.

Please help!

Thanks, Rob.

 

[kabkos]

Hi,
did you pull the flash mount collar out of the body? You stated that the flash bit was removed but the collar must be pulled straigth out. Also, the rangefinder adjustment screw and the rangefinder round lens must be removed. If you have anymore questions, pop me and email with your email address and I will send you an exploded view of the top and all of the bits that hold it on.

karl

 

[Mark W]

Not sure about a Canon Rangefinders but on some RF's if you touch the Beam splitter with any liquid you can completly wash the gold or silver coating off it ruining the RF. I would ONLY proceed after talking with someone who knows for sure about the specific camera model you are working on.

I had this happen to the first Braun Paxette I cleaned up and ended up having to get a pc. of new beam splitter to fix it is quadrupled the amount of work I thought I would need to do.

 

[kabkos]

The Canon VI-T rangefinder half silvered surface is inside of a glass prism. There is almost no way you can damage it by cleaning it. Just don't soak it in acetone which will disolve the Canadian Balsam that was used to glue the prism together.

karl

 

[Mark W]

That's cool as I said I didn't know how the canons are put together I just wanted to give a warning. Not having any idea of your experiance and seeing some of the super stupid things people have done to their canon Fd mount cameras in the last few years. I always error on the side that will help keep the camera in usable condition.

 

[VTHokiEE]

Resurrecting a zombie (I know..), but does anyone have any suggestions for screws on the VI-T top plate that won't budge? Specifically the flash mount and the film winder? Also, how do I remove the circular rangefinder? Thanks a lot!

 

[Mackinaw]

The circular window should just unscrew. Once off, you should see a retaining ring with a pair of spanner slots. Remove that retaining ring and then the glass piece behind it.

As for the stuck screws, try a dab of liquid wrench (small amount). Then wait a few hours and try again.

Jim B.

 

[VTHokiEE]

Thank Jim. I feel like the ring is turning but not moving anywhere, hmmm. Thanks for the tip on the liquid wrench, I'll pick some up and give it a try.