CheekySquid
Newbie
I'm currently working on a personal project to design and build my own rangefinder camera. As part of my research, I'm studying the mechanisms of popular rangefinder cameras. I have a theoretical understanding of how they work and have read books on various rangefinder mechanisms, but I’d love to see real examples to better understand how they function in practice. Unfortunately, I don’t have the budget to purchase and disassemble these cameras myself, so I was wondering if anyone in the community has any videos showing what moving the focus cam physically interacts with inside the rangefinder mechanism.
I'm primarily looking at Leicas, Bessas, and other high-end rangefinders for inspiration since I want to see what makes their viewfinders better than ones on other cameras, but photos or videos of any rangefinder mechanism would be just as helpful. Thanks in advance!
I'm primarily looking at Leicas, Bessas, and other high-end rangefinders for inspiration since I want to see what makes their viewfinders better than ones on other cameras, but photos or videos of any rangefinder mechanism would be just as helpful. Thanks in advance!
simonOWO
Member
Maybe try looking for repair manuals?
Dralowid
Michael
I can offer you these pics which might or might not help. Light meter on right. I think it came off the top of a Hanimex Duomatic???
KoNickon
Nick Merritt
There are any number of videos out there of adjustment of rangefinder mechanisms, and the cameras (with the notable exception of the Contaxes) look pretty much like the pictures above (though there must be a rangefinder window in with the meter cell; it's not shown in these photos).
The various cameras' rangefinders differ in how the rangefinder patch is projected -- an indistinct patch or something that's very distinct, as with the Leicas.
The hardest part of your project likely will be how to get the rangefinder mechanism to accurately synch up with the camera's focusing helical. That requires very precise engineering.
The various cameras' rangefinders differ in how the rangefinder patch is projected -- an indistinct patch or something that's very distinct, as with the Leicas.
The hardest part of your project likely will be how to get the rangefinder mechanism to accurately synch up with the camera's focusing helical. That requires very precise engineering.
Dralowid
Michael
There was a rangefinder window close to the meter, it was part of the body casing and flat glass. It is a bit of junk really but it amuses me!
aw614
Well-known
I have some pics of a Zorki 1 rangefinder I can upload later tonight when I get home. I did figure out my issue on why I was having issues with the rangefinder staying aligned on it, but thats another story...
From a web page from 20+ years ago. M3, M4, m6.
