eyeball finder

[mooge]

somewhat a random question, but is that eyeball finder [ http://www.cameraquest.com/TAnotcoll.htm ] actually a finder or just a shoe-filler? corresponding focal length? origin?

and does anyone have a picture of the innards of a rapidwinder? i'm intrigued...

cheers,
Dragunov

 

[Tom A]

The eyeball finder is a real finder - operating on the Albada finder principle. It was made by a friend of mine in Japan. He is a nuclear physicist (and professional opera singer to boot).
I did an analysis of the innards of the various Rapidwinders in an issue of the LHSA Viewfinder. This was in 2003 when Leica released the Leicavit MP and there was also a store in Hong Kong that tried to make a "knock off" Rapidwinder (it was not successful).
If you go to LHSA's web site @ LHSA.org you might be bale to find the PDF of the issue.
Tom

 

[Rayt]

I got an eyeball softie from him. He has a thing for eyeballs. Lovely stuff.

 

[Tom A]

Was it the version with the eyelashes? The eyeball finder is great when you are taking pictures of people - there is this slightly stunned expression when you say "Here is looking at you, kid" and aim the camera at them.

 

[mooge]

made by a nuclear physicist/opera singer? wowzers.

couldn't find anything on LHSA.

thanks.

 

[Rayt]

Was it the version with the eyelashes? The eyeball finder is great when you are taking pictures of people - there is this slightly stunned expression when you say "Here is looking at you, kid" and aim the camera at them.

That's the one. Unfortunately the lashes fall off and now there are only three left. I remember his name was Tokio. Sorry if I am mistaken. I met Tokio through Shintaro many years ago.

 

[Tom A]

His name is indeed Tokio and he does these strange things with cameras and finders. Could be the working relation ship with fissionable material. He is also a great singer as well as producer of operas. This year he set up and produced a japanese language opera in the Czech republic, using czech singers, singing in japanese! Multi talented does not half describe him.
I have two of the eyeball finders, one is a 50mm one and the other is a 73/75mm one. As with all Albada finders it takes a bit getting used to - but once your brain has computed the process, it works fine.
I will see if I can upload some shots of them later today.

 

[Muggins]

Owww! That purple and gold M4 needs a health warning attached - that is hard on the eyes!

Adrian

 

[mooge]

you think THAT's painful?

http://www.cameraquest.com/lm4ap.htm

😱

Tom- you should pull out your double-shoe mound (presuming you have one...) and put both your eyeball finders on one camera. 🙂

cheers.

 

[Tom A]

Funny you should say that. This morning I just did that and sometimes tonight I will unearth the eyeball softie (complete with lashes) and take a picture of the stuff. Too bad I don't have "Purple Haze" anymore - it would have been a match made in heaven!

 

[Tom A]

Here they are on a VC double shoe. The 50 and 73 mm eyeball finders! Somehow it looks a bit like Disney's Walle-e here!

 

[Tom A]

and the "piece de resistance" - the eyeball Softrelease complete with eyelashes!

 

[maddoc]

... scary !! 😱

 

[mooge]

that's too awesome.

wat? does that imply that someone was willing to buy that monstrosity?