It Really Works! homemade OKARO

[Vintage35]

I have a new beam splitter on the way for my IIIf but in the meantime, I found on an older thread (2006) an alternative to the now $70-130 OKARO RF orange ring filter. Cut a piece of clear negative film to fit in the ring and screw it into the side closest to the rewind knob. It make a world of difference

 

[Whateverist]

Which film did you use?

 

[Tijmendal]

That's really cool! Do you have a photo of it?

 

[Vintage35]

Which film did you use?

I used basic color negative film, (fujicolor 200) the unexposed section at the beginning of a roll is good

 

[Vintage35]

a few pics

 

[Particular]

I would suggest using a Kodak film over a Fuji film, as they tend to have a paler base.

 

[Vintage35]

I would suggest using a Kodak film over a Fuji film, as they tend to have a paler base.

it only looks dark next to the blue towel I have down. it looks great through the finder. you can use whatever film you have laying around was my point.

 

[Fadedsun]

What's the advantage of having this over the rangefinder? I don't feel like the lines are hard to see in daylight. Darker, indoor settings, like from lamp light are little more difficult though.

 

[G Dogg]

I have a Rosco Filter sampler (2" x 3") and it has maybe 100 different colored thin filters on a plastic film. I sorted through and found one that I liked and did the same thing as you, after reading this thread last weekend. And it does seem to help with the contrast making focusing easier for my eyes. The filter sampler gives you the choice to find just the right density that works best for you.

 

[tyrone.s]

What's the advantage of having this over the rangefinder? I don't feel like the lines are hard to see in daylight. Darker, indoor settings, like from lamp light are little more difficult though.

It just increases the contrast between the RF focusing patch. If your beamsplitter / your eyesight are all good, it probably won't do anything for you. The real Leica accessory can cost $70! So a scrap of colour negative is great value!

 

[Vintage35]

What's the advantage of having this over the rangefinder? I don't feel like the lines are hard to see in daylight. Darker, indoor settings, like from lamp light are little more difficult though.

It blocks light coming into the main RF view, making the light from the other side, hitting the half-mirror or beam splitter more pronounced.

if you have an old faded beam splitter like I have, I can barely see the RF patch. The filter trick makes the beam splitter more visible.

try it for yourself. just stick some clear colored object in front of the RF window nearest the rewind knob, the main RF window. old film, colored tabs from file folders, etc... just about any color as long as it's clear enough to see through.

Leica chose orange but I've seen some more yellowish too.

 

[p.giannakis]

I cannot unscrew that ring on mine. Is it clockwise or counterclockwise that you turn it?

 

[_goodtimez]

I have a new beam splitter on the way for my IIIf but in the meantime, I found on an older thread (2006) an alternative to the now $70-130 OKARO RF orange ring filter. Cut a piece of clear negative film to fit in the ring and screw it into the side closest to the rewind knob. It make a world of difference

70 to 130 bucks is really expensive. I spent less than this to rebuid the beam splitter of my IIIC. The semi-transparent mirror can be ordered online and cut to fit.
Check my link below:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/8487951@N05/albums/72157625135357333

 

[pechelman]

seems like you could also use some flash gels to do the same thing

cool diy

 

[Vintage35]

70 to 130 bucks is really expensive. I spent less than this to rebuid the beam splitter of my IIIC. The semi-transparent mirror can be ordered online and cut to fit.
Check my link below:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/8487951@N05/albums/72157625135357333

I asked you on the 'Flicker Mail' how you dealt with the RF adjust screw. before removing the mirror housing do you first have to remove the Horizontal adjust screw, or just loosen it somehow?.

I paid $10 for my beam splitter already cut.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Beam-splitt...hash=item56784a895d:m:mrS0oRg18laDoKmvWWl92rg

 

[Vintage35]

I cannot unscrew that ring on mine. Is it clockwise or counterclockwise that you turn it?

It unscrews counter clockwise.

 

[xayraa33]

I did this to my Leica IIIc as soon as I got it, back in 1978.

 

[Luddite Frank]

I have a Rosco Filter sampler (2" x 3") and it has maybe 100 different colored thin filters on a plastic film. I sorted through and found one that I liked and did the same thing as you, after reading this thread last weekend. And it does seem to help with the contrast making focusing easier for my eyes. The filter sampler gives you the choice to find just the right density that works best for you.

I used Roscolux R-21 in the RH window of my III-f and another one of my Barnacks... didn't even have to unscrew the bezel, just carefully cut the gel to the same size as the bezel, then carefully tucked it into the gap between the bezel ring and the lens using a toothpick.

I refuse to pay $70+ for an ORAKO / OKARO... 😱

If any of you folks have friends who work in theatre, performing arts centers, college theatre programs, concert production, etc. they should be able to provide you with as much scrap gel as you need.

😎

 

[Sid836]

Even better use a piece cut out of light blue gelatin filter. The blue tint in the viewfinder makes it a lot easier and far less darker.

 

[Luddite Frank]

Even better use a piece cut out of light blue gelatin filter. The blue tint in the viewfinder makes it a lot easier and far less darker.

In theatrical gel, this would be Roscolux R-64, 65