Cascadilla
Well-known
I just acquired a Nikon SP in good overall condition, but the finder is a bit hazy and not as clear as my Zeiss Contax IIa. Can anyone recommend any repair service that is particularly known for Nikon RF repairs? Thanks.
Steinberg2010
Well-known
I think Vermont Camera Works may service Nikon RFs.
hap
Well-known
DAG overhauled my SP and also installed the metal shutter and out with the cloth. The one thing you can't do...is make the contrast patch better in the view finder. whatever it is now is what it will be.
wlewisiii
Just another hotel clerk
1) DAG isn't doing Nikon any more - he declined my S2 earlier this year - and 2) the patch is what it is as hap said.
Precision Camera, Austin.
Contact Noel Rankin, nrankin at precision-camera.com
Dave Edwards is the tech.
Contact Noel Rankin, nrankin at precision-camera.com
Dave Edwards is the tech.
drangus
Member
They did my S2 and I’m very happy with it. I would recommend them as well, just a note they still aren’t taking new repairs at the moment so if you need it quickly I would look elsewhere.
TenEleven
Well-known
The patch may improve with a CLA, however it will never be as good as the Contax II or even IIa patch.
This was a trade-off Nikon chose when trying to cram a rangefinder system this complex into the body of an S2 without making it a significantly larger camera.
What you can do is add a piece of light balancing (preferentially blue to contrast with the yellow of the patch) color gel filter under over the viewfinder window. This will darken the viewfinder image slightly but will improve rangefinder contrast, especially in dim situations. @jonmanjiro had instructions on how to do that here on RFF... I don't know if they will still pop up with a search.
This was a trade-off Nikon chose when trying to cram a rangefinder system this complex into the body of an S2 without making it a significantly larger camera.
What you can do is add a piece of light balancing (preferentially blue to contrast with the yellow of the patch) color gel filter under over the viewfinder window. This will darken the viewfinder image slightly but will improve rangefinder contrast, especially in dim situations. @jonmanjiro had instructions on how to do that here on RFF... I don't know if they will still pop up with a search.
Cascadilla
Well-known
Thanks to all for suggestions. The rangefinder catch is actually fairly clear--it is the over all haziness of the finder that I would like to improve if it is possible. If it isn't, the camera is still quite useable. I guess I've been spoiled by Contax bodies that have been overhauled by Henry Scherer.
Is it the main viewfinder that is hazy or both?
Cascadilla
Well-known
It is the main viewfinder, not the 28/35 one which is noticeably clearer than the main one.
OK, that's actually good, it's much more difficult to access the 28/35 viewfinder. I can clean the main one for you if you are open to ship to Texas.