III F - Loving it! Clean the VF?

[dave lackey]

Can't say exactly what or why but the III F fits like an old pair of comfortable jeans. With the Summarit, is it a lovely piece of jewelry. But in low light, the VF (both viewports) need cleaning inside. The focus window shows some white stringy material under a magnifying glass that causes some ghosting and makes it difficult to see at times. The framing window has a lot of little "dots" of something in there but it isn't really a problem.

The eyepiece has two screws. Is it tricky to take the eyepiece off? Is there something else to do to get in there and clean these windows out?😕

 

[batterytypehah!]

It's pretty easy but make a note of which way around the bezel goes, and which lens goes where. The lenses will stay in the body, they're not held in the bezel. Sometimes they're loose, sometimes they need a little persuasion* to come out. Obviously don't rush anything, and have something underneath to catch them.

*I use adhesive tape to pull them out.

 

[batterytypehah!]

The fifth sketch down on this page shows what you need, too:
http://rick_oleson.tripod.com/index-154.html

 

[dave lackey]

The fifth sketch down on this page shows what you need, too:
http://rick_oleson.tripod.com/index-154.html

Wow! That is amazing information! 😀

Thanks so much for that...think I will find a quiet evening this week and try it. Doesn't look very difficult but Murphy's law and my luck are co-conspirators.

This is great!:angel:

 

[batterytypehah!]

You're welcome. Rick is my hero 😉 And a member here, actually, but he doesn't post much.

 

[newspaperguy]

IMO - Do yourself a huge favor, Dave... beg, borrow or buy a 50mm CV brightline

finder. It will do wonders for your framing... and your eyes will thank you.

Squinty-eyed Rick

 

[dave lackey]

IMO - Do yourself a huge favor, Dave... beg, borrow or buy a 50mm CV brightline

finder. It will do wonders for your framing... and your eyes will thank you.

Squinty-eyed Rick

+1....Agreed!

I have a 35mm VF and it is really a treat to look through so I can only imagine how nice a 50 with brightline would be. :angel:

 

[Bingley]

IMO - Do yourself a huge favor, Dave... beg, borrow or buy a 50mm CV brightline

finder. It will do wonders for your framing... and your eyes will thank you.

Squinty-eyed Rick

+1. Even after I got my IIIc CLA'd, which cleaned up the vf a lot, it's still easier to shoot with the 50 brightline finder.

 

[splitimageview]

SBOOI is brighter than real life. 🙂

Got your PM, Dave, I can't add anything more...

 

[dave lackey]

SBOOI is brighter than real life. 🙂

Got your PM, Dave, I can't add anything more...

Thanks, Robert... just bored at the moment and trying to be productive or at least getting infomation for being productive later on...

SBOOI...hmm, gotta look that up. thanks!:angel:

 

[dave lackey]

Whilst waiting for my bride to feel well enough to run errands, I just cleaned the little lenses and....

Wow! Quite a difference!😀

There is more crud in there down deep but that can wait for a future CLA. For now, I am happy!!!!🙂🙂

 

[xayraa33]

Here is what you need, step by step instructions to clean a IIIf finder:

http://www.mediajoy.com/en/lrc/refresh/01.html

 

[john neal]

+1 for the SBOOI - if you can find one in good condition it will amaze you

I like the way that it's a life size image and you can shoot with both eyes open 😀

 

[NeeZee]

another one for the SBOOI. this little thing transformed my IIIf from a shelf-sitter to my no 1 user camera.

 

[dave lackey]

+1. Even after I got my IIIc CLA'd, which cleaned up the vf a lot, it's still easier to shoot with the 50 brightline finder.

Okay, so with the Summarit...where in the world is a really nice 50 brightline finder?🙂

 

[Taija71A]

The fifth sketch down on this page shows what you need, too:
http://rick_oleson.tripod.com/index-154.html

_____

@batterytypehah!

As a new owner of a Leica IIIf RD ST, I would like to sincerely say 'Thank-you'... For posting the above cited information!!! :angel:
_

-Tim.
_____

 

[summar]

I have a IIIf inherited from my father with which I learned how to use a 35mm camera. It's now my favorite carry-around camera because of its compact size. With the 3.5cm Summaron I use the VIOOH finder, which also works well with the 5cm Elmar because of the parallax-correcting lever.
My favorite for the Elmar, though, is an Albada finder (no brand name) which gives a life-size view and lets you shoot with both eyes open. My father must have gotten it for his first Leica back in the 1930s -- I've never seen another finder like this anywhere, but it's a wonderful accessory.

 

[N. Bruce Nelson]

In 1972 I bought a Yachica Linx 1.4e. I was able to make an even trade for a Leica IIIf red dial with a Summarit 50. I loved the camera, but felt the Summarit was a little too soft wide open. I added a Steinheil 85 mm lens and a Canon 28 mm lens and a Russian turret finder.

In 1976 I was living in Japan and made another even trade for an Olympus M1, which I still have, and a 24mm 2.8 and an 85 mm f2.0 lenses.

I missed the Barnack experience, and now have a Canon III which is quite similar to the IIIF, and a Canon L1 which is quite an improvement, but still has the high quality feel. I also use a Bessa R which is more practical, but doesn't have the refined feel of the older cameras.

I have a Jupiter 3, which I would compare favorably to the Summarit, and a Canon 1.4 and a VC Nokton 1.5 when I want more sharpness or a more modern look in low light.