Haze on rangefinder

[cambolt]

I just received my new (to me) yashica 35 GSN. I noticed that there is a small hazy spot in the rangefinder window. Also, the split focussing area thing in the centre of the finder seems a little soft around the edges (not like the square on its side shape I have seen)
Do I need to remove the top plate and clean the rangefinder windows?

Thanks

 

[Wlodek]

Most likely. Luckily removing the top cover is easy. Best use a Q tip with distilled water (and pure ethanol for greasy spots) to clean the inside of the windows and/or the range-finder optics. I do not remember if this camera has a prism beam-splitter or semi transparent mirror. I think the mirror. One must be very gentle when cleaning those as it is easy to damage the reflective coating. Light pressure, clean Q tip and clean water or alcohol.

 

[xwhatsit]

It has a mirror, definitely don't touch it. Unless you're very careful (immerse it in distilled water, don't touch the surface at all!) you'll lose more than you gain (lose some dust/dirt, but also rub off some coating).

Distilled water is good, so is a bit of lighter fluid.

Soft edges of the rangefinder patch is normal with most rangefinder systems, unless you use a very complicated viewfinder system like the Leica M3, in which the rangefinder "projection" is in the same focus plane as, say, the framelines. But this massively complicates the finder. The Japanese found a way to do projected and parallax corrected framelines much simpler and cheaper (and arguably more robust), with the only real loss being the lack of hard-edged rangefinder patch edges.

 

[Bill58]

I've used Windex on a Q-tip on my VF windows inside (but not on beamsplitter). Sometimes the outside is scratched outside. Polywatch (for plastic watch crystals) on a Q-tip will take care of that.

 

[b1bmsgt]

I have cleaned literally hundreds of Electro rangefinders with a Q Tip and a 50/50 mix of peroxide and ammonia. I take no great care when cleaning the beamsplitter mirrors, just gentle pressure and have never had a problem with losing the reflective coatings. After the 50/50 dries, I use a new Q Tip and just breathe on the surfaces and do a final cleaning. Works like a charm.

(I tried the same method on a Canon QL17 GIII and the coatings dissapeared in 2 or 3 passes!)

Russ

 

[zsas]

Russ - Excellent info! Some questions:
1) Can one clean a Lynx 14E (or any other Yashica RF camera for that mater) beamsplitter using the 50/50 mix mentioned above?
2) Is this 50/50 mix only for the beamsplitter or all elements in the RF?
3) What do you clean the actual lens with? (note I mean the one that the light goes through to hit the film not the RF lenses).


Thanks!!

 

[Frontman]

Russ - Excellent info! Some questions:
1) Can one clean a Lynx 14E (or any other Yashica RF camera for that mater) beamsplitter using the 50/50 mix mentioned above?
2) Is this 50/50 mix only for the beamsplitter or all elements in the RF?
3) What do you clean the actual lens with? (note I mean the one that the light goes through to hit the film not the RF lenses).


Thanks!!

Do not touch the mirror in the viewfinder of the old Lynx, Minister, or YL type cameras with any chemical, or even plain water, the coating will wipe off instantly.

As for the lens, any lens cleaning fluid will work.

 

[b1bmsgt]

I also use the 50/50 mix on lenses with good results, but frontman is correct in recommending any dedicated lens cleaning fluid as well. The 50/50 mix is more cost effective, however.

I have cleaned Lynx's and Ministers the same way with no problems, but I am more careful with them than with Electro's.

Russ 😀