Fixed lens RFs, tinted VFs? Yellow RF patches?

[Shaocaholica]

I just picked up a Vivitar 35ES which is supposed to be a clone of the Minolta 7SII. Everything looks nice but in comparison to my previous Bessa R3A, the VF has a very strong blue tint and the patch has a very strong yellow tint. Is this normal for older fixed lens RFs? Is the tinting deliberate or a side effect of being so old?

 

[rogue_designer]

The tint is deliberate. Pixtu nailed the reason - the color contrast helps with focus.

 

[Tuolumne]

I believe on some M3s the viewfinder patch is gold hued for the same reason - better contrast focusing.

/T

 

[Shaocaholica]

Thanks guys.