megapearl magnifier? how to screw it on ???

[aldobonnard]

Hi
I've just received a japanexposures/megapearl magnifier for the R-D1 and back home endeavoured to try to fit the item on my R-D1..
I've removed the worn-out rubbered eyepiece ring, and I was expecting something simple, like an inner thread corresponding to the outer thread of the megapearl magnifier.
Well...nothing like an inner thread.
It doesn't seem to be very user friendly, and the instructions coming with the eye piece are notably insufficient for a £100 VAT+custom incl. add-on, I'd say (just a little text saying "screws in", ah..ok...)

Has any benevolent soul a detailed procedure with hopefully some photos, which I could get inspired from? As it is now, it's a bit frustrating.

many thanks ! 🙂

 

[kxl]

You need to unscrew the eyepiece itself, not just remove the rubber ring. Once you unscrew the eyepiece, you will see the inner threads.

 

[aldobonnard]

thank you, Keith
I have tried that but it is stuck. I shall try to properly unscrew the eyepiece tomorrow after removing the eyepiece assembly, not to damage anything.

 

[Ezzie]

The diopter on mine keeps loosening, I´ve heard that happens to others too. Maybe the previous owner got fed up and applied a bit too much force when tightening, they should really not be that difficult to remove.

 

[aldobonnard]

Thanks Ezzie. The procedure I applied was:
- remove the 2 screws at the bottom of the eyepiece (EP) assembly
- remove the EP Frame
- detach the EP Assembly (unlock the glass cover and detach glass + circlip from EP frame). That step I thought was necessary to be able to unscrew the EP assembly from the EP frame.
what should follow is : "unscrew the EP from the EP Frame and replace with the Megapearl" but there is no real give in the assy. I hope that the previous owner has not used loctite to fix the rubber EP cover...(it looks like, so I'd need to buy some solvent)
Hopefully I will manage later...
PS: do you agree with what the above procedure?

 

[sahe69]

I don't know if RD-1's are different in this respect, but for a ZI, you just simply unscrew the eyepiece by twisting it counterclockwise. No need to take out any screws etc.

 

[Ezzie]

I don't know if RD-1's are different in this respect, but for a ZI, you just simply unscrew the eyepiece by twisting it counterclockwise. No need to take out any screws etc.

What I thought too. I've replaced the diopter on mine with a Nikon piece as the old rubberized version had started disintergrating. The threading should then be revealed and is obviously pretty standard (same as Nikon 19mm diamater stuff, as used on FM series cameras).

 

[ampguy]

I don't think you need to unscrew the eyepiece base assembly, only the plastic cover which should twist out counterclockwise. I've used Nikon diopters this way, and now the Japan Exposures 1.25 eyepiece. Take a look at this photo on Rich Cutler's site - this is how mine is mounted:

http://www.richcutler.co.uk/r-d1/r-d1_10.htm

Be sure to save the original cover, the are pricey for what they are to replace, ~ $20 or so.

 

[aldobonnard]

I'm afraid I have to unscrew the base assembly... doing it now...
will post the result later !
🙂

 

[aldobonnard]

gentlemen,
I am very happy to let you know that eventually it worked !
what was blocking the unscrewing operation was the rubber having, with time, kind of bonded onto the EP Frame. I had to sacrify it. Removing the entire EP assy has made it a bit simpler.
thank you for your precious advices, I will safely place the original EP in a spare filter box...

 

[altonjone]

While unscrewing I got damaged the rubber ring.
Now what to do ?
Do I have to change it or any other suggestion?
Should I send the snap so that you people can understand what is the problem?

 

[ampguy]

I'd be interested

I'd be interested

in seeing a snap of why your version requires removal of the mount that is screwed down, as opposed to the ones that just require unscrewing CCW the cover and screwing in the Megaperls (Japan Exposures) magnifier/diopter part.

While unscrewing I got damaged the rubber ring.
Now what to do ?
Do I have to change it or any other suggestion?
Should I send the snap so that you people can understand what is the problem?

 

[aldobonnard]

as for me, I will ask an official reseller of Bessa and see what he offers as replacement.
(Robert White in the UK, he should know)