leica IIc Dim Viewfinder

[lxmike]

I have senn a Leica IIc that has a very dim rangefinder patch, would a Okaro filter necessarily improve this , (sorry if I have spelt this wrong) or possible not. I also realise that such filters are extremely hard to find. I could I suppose use it like a scale focus camera. On the plus side it has had a recent shutter cla

what do you guys think

 

[xayraa33]

I have senn a Leica IIc that has a very dim rangefinder patch, would a Okaro filter necessarily improve this , (sorry if I have spelt this wrong) or possible not. I also realise that such filters are extremely hard to find. I could I suppose use it like a scale focus camera. On the plus side it has had a recent shutter cla

what do you guys think

For the dim RF problem you need to have the semi silvered mirror replaced.

 

[yossarian123]

For the dim RF problem you need to have the semi silvered mirror replaced.

My IIIc was pretty dim too. I didnt want to spend the $ and get it fixed so i sold it. But I was recently in Tamarkin camera and had a chance to look through the finder of a Barnack that had the beam splitter replaced. The difference was incredible.

 

[Spicy]

Send it to Youxin and get the beamsplitter replaced with his Japanese-sourced one. I had him do it to my IIIc while he was CLAing it, and it is indeed astounding. It would be nicer to focus with than my M body if it weren't a squinty finder.

 

[lxmike]

thanks for the replies chaps, how much would replacing the beam splitter cost

cheers mick

 

[chrishayton]

If its the one I listed on ebay earlier (real.camera) then I would suggest the only solution if you want to use the RF is to replace the prism, its very dim. Peter Grisaffi in Luton (CCR Luton) would do this for you but it won't be particularly cheap. An Okaro will do nothing to help improve its usability
Otherwise its a nice camera.

 

[MISH]

thanks for the replies chaps, how much would replacing the beam splitter cost

I sent my IIIf to Youxin for a CLA earlier this year and the beam splitter replacement was only $30 extra since the camera was already apart. I felt that the viewfinder was in pretty good shape but for that price it would not have to be much of a improvement. when I got it back I was pleasantly surprised at how much better it was

 

[Dez]

Replacing the semi-silvered mirror is actually a very simple repair. All you need to do is to remove the top cover, and then the square plug at the end of the RF housing. the old mirror can be pried out and a new one glued in place (silvered side toward the REAR of the camera. Just make sure you clean off the seat for the mirror carefully, as it needs to be well aligned.

Replacement mirrors can often be found on ebay. They are to found right now for $9.00 from Nobbysparrow, a very reliable Japanese vendor.

Good luck,
Dez

 

[_goodtimez]

I did replace mine on my IIIC. Indeed it's not difficult. The difference is huge and now the IIIC is a joy to use.

 

[John Shriver]

The beamslplitter in my IIIa was a bit tricky to install, as I had to do some shimming with Scotch Magic (R) tape to get vertical alignment. But it was a huge improvement.

To pay someone to do it ought to be around $75.