FED 5 how to fix in place viewfinder

[Paulie2]

Hello everyone,

After taking the top off my FED 5 camera and then reassembling it I found that the viewfinder is not fixed in place anymore.
To disassemble the top part I had to rotate the viewfinder CCW and push it in. Now when rotating right to see clearly the viewfinder comes out around 10 mm but does not fall completely off.
I searched online for information about this issue but found nothing.
Can someone please help me fix the viewfinder back in place so that it does not come out?

Thank you.

 

[johnf04]

Okay - to remove the top cover of this camera, the round rangefinder window has to be removed. This can be rotated to adjust the vertical alignment of the rangefinder, but it is a friction fit, and has to be locked with lacquer after adjustment. If your problem is lack of adjustment when rotating the window, a further vertical adjustment is available, by adjusting the top bearing of the rangefinder arm - the top bracket screws are in slots.

 

[wolves3012]

Just going from memory here, it's been years since I took one apart. When you take the top off, there's a thin, steel washer that sits around the VF window that almost always falls off, easy to miss that it happened. Did you find it and put it back when reassembling?

 

[Paulie2]

Just going from memory here, it's been years since I took one apart. When you take the top off, there's a thin, steel washer that sits around the VF window that almost always falls off, easy to miss that it happened. Did you find it and put it back when reassembling?

I remember this washer!
I did not know from where it came. Where should it be placed? I have it on my desk 🙂

 

[wolves3012]

I remember this washer!
I did not know from where it came. Where should it be placed? I have it on my desk 🙂

You need to slip it over the VF window tube before re-fitting the top. You also need to be sure it stays in place as the top goes on, which it's inclined not to do. Can be easy, can be fiddly... This is the reason for your VF not staying in place, problem solved 🙂

 

[Paulie2]

Hi,
with the help of @wolves3012 i managed to fix the viewfinder.
I am leaving here some pictures with the washer, maybe they will help someone else.