Sisters, cousins or... just friends..?

[Dcanalogue]

I'm a proud (and happy like a child) owner of these 2 folders! The Rheinmetall Weltax arrived just today...while Zeiss Ikonta 521/2 waited here since a couple of weeks.... Both in very nice conditions for just less than €50 each!
Such beautiful and well made cameras are driving me crazy..so that I'd buy every good folder around....:angel:

The first one already made a roll and can't wait to receive my scanner next week.... to start posting some shot.....
So...more to come about...! 😀

 

[Dcanalogue]

Any suggestion?

Any suggestion?

Just went out for a the first (test) roll with the Rheinmetall Weltax, but I made only 4 shots because of bad weather..... 🙁

The camera is in very good conditions and works fine (apart for a certain resistence of the winding knob)... but there's one problem: the viewfinder!
It's small..but worse, it's really opaque.... I could see almost nothing...

Has anyone some hint or suggestion?
Is it possible to clean this kind of viewfinder? Or, better... is there any way to change it with another kind of system? Albada should already be much better..... a rangefinder would be the best... 😎

Thanks!

 

[lynnb]

If it has an accessory shoe connection you might try an accessory-shoe viewfinder. They're good, provided you remember to consider parallax.

I have a Voigtlander accessory-shoe rangefinder which works very well for my scale focus cameras. You could use it handheld if you want to use an accessory-shoe viewfinder at the same time.

 

[zuikologist]

If the view rather than focusing is the issue, perhaps a wire finder might also work.

 

[Dcanalogue]

If the view rather than focusing is the issue, perhaps a wire finder might also work.

Yes, I need at least to "view".... 😀 But Sorry... I don't know what a wire finder is... 🙁 Coul'd you please post a link or such to better understand what you're talking about...?

Thanks!

If it has an accessory shoe connection you might try an accessory-shoe viewfinder. They're good, provided you remember to consider parallax.

I have a Voigtlander accessory-shoe rangefinder which works very well for my scale focus cameras. You could use it handheld if you want to use an accessory-shoe viewfinder at the same time.

Unfortunately...there isn't an accessory shoe.... 🙁

 

[oftheherd]

Yes, I need at least to "view".... 😀 But Sorry... I don't know what a wire finder is... 🙁 Coul'd you please post a link or such to better understand what you're talking about...?

Thanks!



Unfortunately...there isn't an accessory shoe.... 🙁

Check the camera in the 3rd photo here: http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=63330 It shows a wire frame around the front of the camera. On the outer case of the camera, you can see a rear finder that would flip up. The wire finder was swung out with the rear/eye finder up also. That made the sports finder of the day.

 

[Dcanalogue]

Check the camera in the 3rd photo here: http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=63330 It shows a wire frame around the front of the camera. On the outer case of the camera, you can see a rear finder that would flip up. The wire finder was swung out with the rear/eye finder up also. That made the sports finder of the day.

Ahhh...thanks, I understand now!
I wonder if there's something like that for my camera.... 🙂

 

[citizen99]

Ahhh...thanks, I understand now!
I wonder if there's something like that for my camera.... 🙂

The earlier models of roll film (as well as plate) folders are often to be found with wire frame finder systems as they came from the manufacturer. You might be lucky enough to find something easily 'transplantable'. They sometimes have provision for adjustment of the 'eyepiece' part to compensate for parallax when viewing close subjects. I find they work very well, easier to use than the often 'squinty' little viewfinder optics of the era 🙂.

 

[Dcanalogue]

The earlier models of roll film (as well as plate) folders are often to be found with wire frame finder systems as they came from the manufacturer. You might be lucky enough to find something easily 'transplantable'. They sometimes have provision for adjustment of the 'eyepiece' part to compensate for parallax when viewing close subjects. I find they work very well, easier to use than the often 'squinty' little viewfinder optics of the era 🙂.

Thanks!
Hope to be lucky and find something like that...... also if I'm not so able in DIY....... 😀

 

[Dcanalogue]

First test shots with manual cameras

First test shots with manual cameras

Here are some test shots (just to test newly boughts cameras) 🙂
Made with Nikkormat Ftn, Yashica Mat & Zeiss Ikonta 521/2

Back to the Future

 

[farlymac]

Looking at another photo of a Rheinmetall Weltax, it appears there are two screws that hold the finder to the body. You should be able to detach the finder, and reach in from the bottom with a swab to clean any haze out of it. Lens cleaner, or just straight alcohol should do the trick. Go lightly, as I notice there is a facility for switching the view from 6x6, to 4.5x6, and you don't want to snag that and bend it out of shape. Good luck, and have fun with the folders.

PF

 

[Dcanalogue]

Looking at another photo of a Rheinmetall Weltax, it appears there are two screws that hold the finder to the body. You should be able to detach the finder, and reach in from the bottom with a swab to clean any haze out of it. Lens cleaner, or just straight alcohol should do the trick. Go lightly, as I notice there is a facility for switching the view from 6x6, to 4.5x6, and you don't want to snag that and bend it out of shape. Good luck, and have fun with the folders.

PF

Many thanks!
I tried to clean the wievfinder lenses (externally) with a cotton swab and lenses fluid... It seems to go much better now...! If it will not suffice in practical use I'll try your suggested way.... 🙂

 

[kshapero]