R-D 1 eyepiece correction - how do you make it work?

jlw

Rangefinder camera pedant
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After reading here in several different threads that 19mm Nikon round eyepiece correction lenses (as used on FM3a, FM2, Nikkormat, etc.) would fit on the R-D 1, I went to my local dealer to see what diopter value I needed (as the only way to find this out is to look through them.)

They had a motley assortment of Nikon eyepiece lenses, not all the diopters in all the sizes... but eventually we found a -2 which seemed close enough to try for a start. This was an old one in a box marked "Nikkormat."

I unscrewed my R-D 1's existing eyepiece ring and tried to thread in the Nikkormat eyepiece. No go! The Nikon eyepiece has a large knurled collar, which interferes with the projection on the back of the R-D 1 that houses the LCD panel. This projection is just below the eyepiece, so if the eyepiece diameter is too large, it becomes impossible to screw it into the camera.

So, the questions:

-- Do later (current) Nikon eyepiece correction lenses have a smaller outer diameter, which allows them to fit on the R-D 1?

-- Or is there some kind of spacer or adapter which should be used between the lens and the camera?

-- Or were people mistaken, and Nikon eyepiece lenses just plain don't fit?

Thanks for any info.
 
I tried the Nikon FM2 diopter adaptor from my friends Bessa R3A on my R-D1 and it fits fine. From memory it may have very slightly wider diameter and deeper rear collar but not so it came anywhere near the LCD projection. The version you have is probably an old type.

By the way. Top end Nikon dealers such as Grays of Westminster in the U.K. have a Nikon device for checking out the best diopter rating for your eyesight to save you checking with your optician.
 
Hi, I use a correction lens for the Nikon FM/FE (the box says FA-FE2-FM2), and it's a perfect fit, slightly smaller in diameter than the one that comes with the camera, and there's no rubber ring.

Don't forget to get a strength with a nominal value 1 diopter less than your prescription. This is because Nikon correction lenses are actually weaker than 'what it says on the can' - I posted a note about this in a previous thread in this forum.

cheers
Phil
 
I have a Bessa R3M and the F3 eyepiece correction lens (similar to the F2 but with a rubber ring around it) is perfect on the R3M. But what should be the best fitting correction lens (for the Bessas) is the ones coming from Nikon FE, FM etc. These cameras eyepiece correction lenses, while having the same thread as the F2, F3 ones, do not have the large rubber ring around the lens rim and they fit perfectly on the Bessa. Actually, I am purchasing a Bessa plain eyepiece lens (no diopter correction) to replace the one on my FE, whose rubber covering is damaged.
 
Is there anywhere I can get a "normal" eyepiece for the RD-1? I got mine with the 1.3x Perls magnifier, but sometimes I want to shoot with both eyes open... where can I get a normal eyepiece? Thanks!
 
i don't think so but with the eyepiece you have a rubber ring for protection if you wear glasses.
one of mine came w/o the rubber, only the plastic ring, so i got another from stephen, i think it was 25 bucks.
 
I've previously used diopters from my F3 which fit perfect, but on the one I have now (for sale, btw) the Megaperls magnifier/diopter correction is great on all the time, with 28 to 90 size lenses.
 
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