External Finder Crooked

[Timmyjoe]

Has anyone else ever had this issue and if so, how did you deal with it?

I recently got a Nikkor 3.5cm external finder for my S2, and I love how easy it makes framing with the 35mm lens.

But I noticed every picture I took using the finder had the horizon tilted. I first thought I might not be holding the camera steady when pressing the shutter, but then I realized that the mask on the front of the Nikkor external finder is not straight, it's crooked, slightly twisted/rotated and when you sight the finder straight on, you can see it's tilted slightly down toward the shutter button side of the camera.

Is this a common issue with these old finders? Are they just for rough reference and not for actual framing? Or is there some way to straighten it back out?

Looked to find a simple way to open the finder, but came up with nothing.

Anyone else had this issue?

Best,
-Tim

 

[02Pilot]

Unscrew the front trim ring (it may be tight). Underneath you should see three grub screws equidistant around the perimeter of the front element. Loosen, adjust the glass until the mask is straight, and tighten. Reattach front trim ring.

 

[Timmyjoe]

Thank you. I did eventually get the front trim ring off. I guess they made different designs on these as this one had no grub screws around the front element, just the masking plate glued to the front element. And the masking plate has bent tabs that fit into slots on the outer frame of the finder, so I think with some filing on those tabs, I can straighten the masking plate out, as it has already come unglued from the front element.

Thanks again for the advice.

Best,
-Tim

 

[02Pilot]

I was going by my experience with the Nikon 28mm finder, so the variation you describe is not surprising. I've seen more than a few external finders that were a little off seemingly from the factory (no signs of previous work).

 

[Timmyjoe]

Was able to fix it. All is now good. Thanks again for your help.

Best,
-Tim

 

[B-9]

Ive had the same issue a few times.

Ive just lived with it while using a small shoe mount bubble level to keep horizons straight.

I suspect that these masks had very little precision invested during assembly. I find that absolutely justifiable considering any OVF/RF is an approximation of what you may get.

 

[richardHaw]

it can get misaligned so no surprises here. I usually align mine the first time I get them 😱😱😱

and a good overhaul, too 🙄

 

[Rob-F]

That is one very cool looking Nikon, Timmyjoe!

 

[Timmyjoe]

Thanks Rob, she's a sweet handling little picture maker.

Best,
-Tim

PS: There's the old joke about how cigarettes are just a delivery system for nicotine. Well the S2 and the external finder are just a delivery system for that 3.5cm f1.8 W-Nikkor lens and Tri-X. I just LOVE the way that lens renders B&W, and I'd use any camera and viewfinder combination that allowed me to shoot that lens with Tri-X. Right now the S2 with the external finder fits the bill.