VIOOH Viewfinder Question

[dave lackey]

Picked one up today for nothing, well, close to nothing in good condition...but how does the bloody thing work? It has an adjustment lever near the hot shoe...but what to do?

Also, the glass is good, just hazy. Anyone taken the thing apart to clean the elements?:angel:

 

[erikhaugsby]

The adjustment lever is for parallax: twist it back and forth and the finder should pitch up or down ever so slightly.

 

[dave lackey]

The adjustment lever is for parallax: twist it back and forth and the finder should pitch up or down ever so slightly.

Thanks, Eric...now does that mean I have to estimate the distance to the motif then twist the lever for every shot except for those at "infinity"? I plan on using it on the M3.

And just for kicks on the X1. It looks amazing on that little camera!😎

 

[erikhaugsby]

now does that mean I have to estimate the distance to the motif then twist the lever for every shot except for those at "infinity"?

Only if you care about framing 😛 but given that external finders aren't renowned for accurate framing I can't recommend it always being necessary.

This reminds me of a quote from Pirates of the Caribbean: "the [Pirate's] code is more what you'd call 'guidelines' than actual rules"

 

[KoNickon]

Thanks, Eric...now does that mean I have to estimate the distance to the motif then twist the lever for every shot except for those at "infinity"? I plan on using it on the M3.

And just for kicks on the X1. It looks amazing on that little camera!😎

Focus on the subject using the rangefinder -- check the distance indicated on the lens, and then translate that to the parallax adjustment on the finder. Very imprecise, I'll admit, but it's the best you can do.

 

[colyn]

Picked one up today for nothing, well, close to nothing in good condition...but how does the bloody thing work? It has an adjustment lever near the hot shoe...but what to do?

Also, the glass is good, just hazy. Anyone taken the thing apart to clean the elements?:angel:

It should have either meters or feet marks which lets you adjust parallax once you focus on the subject.

Check here for an easy tutorial on cleaning a hazy VIOOH http://colynsfotografs.com/viooh.html

 

[dave lackey]

It should have either meters or feet marks which lets you adjust parallax once you focus on the subject.

Check here for an easy tutorial on cleaning a hazy VIOOH http://colynsfotografs.com/viooh.html

Holy cow! That is fantastic, Colyn, just what I needed. I was just sitting here for awhile wondering what screwdriver would work and you even told me that! 😀

Now to find where to buy one....

Can't wait to clean it up as it looks some kinda cool.:angel:

Thank you so much!

 

[AlwaysOnAuto]

Is this the type viewfinder you are talking about?
Just want to make sure as I'm new at this and there isn't a picture of the viewfinder assembled in the linked thread.
I really don't want to tear into mine if it isn't the same as that one in the thread, which is great by the way. Thanks for making it available.

 

[Shac]

Colyn - thank you I need to clean mine & now know how

 

[colyn]

Is this the type viewfinder you are talking about?
Just want to make sure as I'm new at this and there isn't a picture of the viewfinder assembled in the linked thread.
I really don't want to tear into mine if it isn't the same as that one in the thread, which is great by the way. Thanks for making it available.

All VIOOH's regardless of shape are the same and the tutorial will work on all. They were also called Emarect's later in their production.

The image you posted looks like a lyre shaped VIOOH and cleaning is the same..

 

[colyn]

Glad I can help..

 

[David Hughes]

Hi,

This might be useful;-

http://cameras.alfredklomp.com/viooh/

Read it and then click on each thumbnail in turn.

Regards, David

 

[Mr_Flibble]

IMARECT was the designation for the VIOOH produced by Leica N.Y. in the USA wasn't it?

I have a lyre-shaped one with both scales in meters and feet for the parallax correction. I've cleaned most of the haze out of it. Still not super, but it'll do.

 

[AlwaysOnAuto]

Thank you both, Colyn and David.
For a noobie like myself it isn't always apparent how to use this old technology. I'm now looking forward to not only cleaning my VF, but using it correctly too.

 

[AlwaysOnAuto]

Ahhh, happiness is a IIIa with a clear view finder to use with it.

Thanks again guys, this is great.

 

[Sumolux]

Many thanks

Many thanks

Great info, and a big time saver as well !

 

[Luddite Frank]

VIOOH on an M ?

VIOOH on an M ?

Thanks, Eric...now does that mean I have to estimate the distance to the motif then twist the lever for every shot except for those at "infinity"? I plan on using it on the M3.

And just for kicks on the X1. It looks amazing on that little camera!😎

I'm not trying to pick a fight here, but why would you need to use a VIOOH on the almighty M, with its vaunted internal framelines for 50-90-135 ( or however they ran ) ?


I'm a big Leica fan, but frankly, as far as a usable optic goes, I think the VIOOH / Immarect are a fairly miserable, squinty thing. At 135, it's just ridiculous. 😱

I've been much happier with the various "zoom" finders such as the TEWE Poly-focus or Nikon Polyfocal, etc.

Just honest curiosity on my part... 🙂


Luddite Frank

 

[dave lackey]

I'm not trying to pick a fight here, but why would you need to use a VIOOH on the almighty M, with its vaunted internal framelines for 50-90-135 ( or however they ran ) ?


I'm a big Leica fan, but frankly, as far as a usable optic goes, I think the VIOOH / Immarect are a fairly miserable, squinty thing. At 135, it's just ridiculous. 😱

I've been much happier with the various "zoom" finders such as the TEWE Poly-focus or Nikon Polyfocal, etc.

Just honest curiosity on my part... 🙂


Luddite Frank

The VIOOH cost me $20 in great condition. When I find a 35mm lens for the M3, the VIOOH has it covered.🙂

 

[Luddite Frank]

The VIOOH cost me $20 in great condition. When I find a 35mm lens for the M3, the VIOOH has it covered.🙂

Fair enough, Dave ! 🙂

You got a good deal on it ! I paid about 3 times that for mine, and it's hazy as all get-out.


😎