Improving visibility on Barnack rangefinders

[chris00nj]

I've seen some screwmount cameras which have a colored piece of glass over one of the rangefinder windows in order to improve the visibility of the rangefinder?

What is this called, where can I get one, and would i need any special tools to install it?

 

[colyn]

Depending on if you have a IIIc/f or pre-IIIc model. There are two versions which slip-on without tools. I don't recall the designations but DAG has both..

 

[xayraa33]

Make a filter from the clear part of developed colour negative film stock.
Cut a circular piece to fit under the RF trim ring closest to the rewind knob.

 

[LeicaTom]

OKARO I have them on all my LTM Leica's.....

Here's one on one of my 45' IIIC K's, together with a new beam splitter it's crystal clear shooting 😀

Tom

 

[Bingley]

Once I got a new beam splitter, I removed it and had no need for the colored filter.

Same here. My IIIc was almost impossible to focus in low light while I had one of those orange thingys; the new beamsplitter solved the problem.

 

[archive59]

I've seen some screwmount cameras which have a colored piece of glass over one of the rangefinder windows in order to improve the visibility of the rangefinder?

What is this called, where can I get one, and would i need any special tools to install it?

The OKARO orange filter just clips over either one of the rangefinder windows (depending on whether you prefer the patch or background to be orange). You do have to take care that it doesn't get knocked off and lost, and they are quite expensive for what they are (around £40 here in the UK). I did try doing what I think was suggested on an old thread here, and that was making one using a piece of exposed and developed colour film cut to form the filter. I don't know if it is just me but it was incredibly difficult to cut out such a small circle. It does work but nowhere near as well as the OKARO.

 

[ray*j*gun]

They are QUITE expensive!!

The OKARO orange filter just clips over either one of the rangefinder windows (depending on whether you prefer the patch or background to be orange). You do have to take care that it doesn't get knocked off and lost, and they are quite expensive for what they are (around £40 here in the UK). I did try doing what I think was suggested on an old thread here, and that was making one using a piece of exposed and developed colour film cut to form the filter. I don't know if it is just me but it was incredibly difficult to cut out such a small circle. It does work but nowhere near as well as the OKARO.

 

[Nikon Bob]

Same here. My IIIc was almost impossible to focus in low light while I had one of those orange thingys; the new beamsplitter solved the problem.

Add another to the list of same heres. The filters are not a cure for a faded beam splitter.

Bob

 

[newspaperguy]

FWIW - a red permanent marker dabbed on one window
will let you see the effect before you invest.

 

[chris00nj]

Thanks, I had seen them in photos and understood what they did, but didn't know the name.

I have a IIIf. Is orange or red better?

Can't see any online but I dropped a line to DAG

 

[John Shriver]

Replace the mirror, you'll never need the filter.

 

[colyn]

Replace the mirror, you'll never need the filter.

Agreed..

fine-leica sells new mirrors on eBay for around $20

If he does not have any auctions you can look him up on eBay's member list and send him an email..

 

[Paul Luscher]

One thing I have wondered about is the Leica IIIG. Can't fit an ORAKO or OKARO (or whatever) to the rangefinder windows.So did Leica add some built-in contrat enhancing feature to the IIIG, which eliminated the need for same? If not, could one have had a contrast enhancing feature added to the rangefinder by the factory, on request?

 

[FrankS]

IMO, if the RF beam splitter is in good condition, contrast enhancing aids are not necessary.