QL17GIII viewfinder cleaning.

[Photon-hunter]

I thought I would start a brand new thread for this issue...

I just opened the top plate of my QL17GIII and did a good clean to the viewfinder parts. All the haze that it had has disapeared and the improvement in brightness and ease of focusing has been dramatic BUT, I still can´t see the yellow focusing patch. It was invisible before the clean, now you can tell it is there sometimes but I can´t really see it. I believe it should be clearly visible. What am i doing wrong? I cleaned all the windows, the Newton finders and the semitransparent mirror, but still no patch..Any clues?

 

[dmr]

I cleaned all the ... and the semitransparent mirror,

How did you "clean" the semitransparent mirror? Are you sure you (or somebody else) didn't rub the reflecting surface off?

 

[Spyderman]

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=35627

 

[Kim Coxon]

It is not as common as it is with the Konicas but have you checked the mirror on top of the RF mech? These sometimes come adrift which will result in the loss of the patch.

Kim

 

[Photon-hunter]

How did you "clean" the semitransparent mirror? Are you sure you (or somebody else) didn't rub the reflecting surface off?

Hi and thanks. I only just purchased it so if the reflecting surface is rubbed it was done by a previous owner..The yellow patch was never there(though there has been a very slight improvement after the clean I did).

I cleaned everything carefully with Q-tip and alcohol..Hope I didn´t mess up!!😱

As my rangefinder knowledge is very limited, where does the yellow patch come from, I mean, what is the part of the mechanism that projects the yellow patch and what could be missing or degradaded as to the point of a vanishing patch?

Thanks again in advance for all the kind answers..

E.

 

[Photon-hunter]

It is not as common as it is with the Konicas but have you checked the mirror on top of the RF mech? These sometimes come adrift which will result in the loss of the patch.

Kim

A limited rangefinder knowledge toghether with a poor english...what is the rangefinder mech?

Thanks!

 

[greyhoundman]

"what is the rangefinder mech?"
The parts you cleaned. The patch is created by the beamsplitter mirror. What you described as the semi transparent piece.
It sounds as if it has been over cleaned. It will need to be replaced.

 

[Photon-hunter]

Thanks! (for the bad news...😱). Things as they are, the camera is very easy to focus as it is and I am liking it quite a bit. What is the real advantage of the yellow patch? How will it improve the focusing experience?

Sorry if the questions sound stupid, I supose I still have a lot to learn about rangefinder operation..I´ve just been a simple (and happy) user so far😀

E.

 

[greyhoundman]

Low light focusing will be harder without a good patch.
Your questions are not stupid. Rather refreshing compared to the other drivel that appears. 🙂

 

[Kim Coxon]

I was actually referring to the other bit. The mirrir on top of the arm activated by the lens focus. I have had several cameras where this has come loose "losing" the RF patch. The cure has been to reglue the mirror and then adjust the RF. In one it was missing but I manged to cut a new one from the rflex mirror from a dead SLR. The beamsplitter is triangular thing in the " of site" when you look through the finder.

Kim

line

"what is the rangefinder mech?"
The parts you cleaned. The patch is created by the beamsplitter mirror. What you described as the semi transparent piece.
It sounds as if it has been over cleaned. It will need to be replaced.

 

[Gradskater]

Do this:
http://rick_oleson.tripod.com/index-165.html

worked like a charm on my olympus xa

 

[Photon-hunter]

WOW! I simply sticked my finger in front of the viewfinder window and was impressed to see a mighty bright and VERRRY yellow patch!!! Is that how it´s suposed to be when it´s in good shape??

Knowing my clumsiness ,It´s not going to be easy to get a little piece of the right size to stand in the precise place in the viewfinder...I am a bit concerned of sticky stuff on my VF window as a consequence of trial and error...

E.

 

[Gradskater]

yes, it takes a bit of work to get the tape in exactly the right spot, but once you do, just clean around the tape with a little alcohol or lens cleaning fluid, and the extra adhesive will come right off.

If you wet the tape a bit, it will slide easier. Then just wait for it to dry and then clean the glass.

 

[wray]

I'd like to clean mine too, but how do you get the film advance lever off? I assume this has to be removed in order to get the top plate off. Any help here would be greatly appreciated.

 

[airds]

http://www.kyphoto.com/classics/topcoverremoval.html

etc

 

[wray]

Thanks, got it!

 

[lex]

not sure if it will work but i cut a small square of exposed film (from between the sprocket holes), moistened it, and placed it on my VF window. i am hoping the the gelatin base will adhere when it dries...

 

[lex]

hmm.. did not stick...

 

[januaryman]

Do this:
http://rick_oleson.tripod.com/index-165.html

worked like a charm on my olympus xa

That was an great tip! Thanks so much.

 

[Photon-hunter]

Well, after a good night of thought, er sleep, It is clear that this little experiment has prooven that the yellow patch IS there..So am I wrong assuming that there MUST be a way of recovering it...???

E.