NickTrop
Veteran
I have a new old Fujica Compact Deluxe...
(...one of my favorite japanese fixed lens rangefinders by the way. f1.8-f22 45mm lens, shutter priority with full manual control, and a built-in stand alone light meter on top... Plus a built in "warning" indicator in the rangefinder, a little circle that goes red if there is not enough or too much light for the chosen shutter speed/aperture. Optics are quite sharp. Not much is known about this one. Seems similar to the Olympus RD - not as compact as the RD but perhaps an even better camera overall. Nobody bids on these on the bay, but they don't come up too often. This one cost me $20 plus ship.)
Anyway, the rangefinder glass was foggy on this sample which otherwise worked apart from the light seals were shot. I was going to venture into "unchartered waters" for me in terms of camera repair by attempting to clean the rangefinder glass after I replaced the light seals today. But I was wary, as I like the camera too much to mess it up.
Instead, I tried some Sky Vodka I had in the freezer on a cue tip. I smeared that over the outside of the rangefinder glass... as a "last ditch" before dissassembly.
Whatdaya know?
The rangefinder is now perfectly clear, like a new camera. I tried vinegar, a lens cleaning tool, and rubbing alcohol before this. I was resigned that the inside needed cleaning but vodka did the trick.
Thought I might share this.
(...one of my favorite japanese fixed lens rangefinders by the way. f1.8-f22 45mm lens, shutter priority with full manual control, and a built-in stand alone light meter on top... Plus a built in "warning" indicator in the rangefinder, a little circle that goes red if there is not enough or too much light for the chosen shutter speed/aperture. Optics are quite sharp. Not much is known about this one. Seems similar to the Olympus RD - not as compact as the RD but perhaps an even better camera overall. Nobody bids on these on the bay, but they don't come up too often. This one cost me $20 plus ship.)
Anyway, the rangefinder glass was foggy on this sample which otherwise worked apart from the light seals were shot. I was going to venture into "unchartered waters" for me in terms of camera repair by attempting to clean the rangefinder glass after I replaced the light seals today. But I was wary, as I like the camera too much to mess it up.
Instead, I tried some Sky Vodka I had in the freezer on a cue tip. I smeared that over the outside of the rangefinder glass... as a "last ditch" before dissassembly.
Whatdaya know?
The rangefinder is now perfectly clear, like a new camera. I tried vinegar, a lens cleaning tool, and rubbing alcohol before this. I was resigned that the inside needed cleaning but vodka did the trick.
Thought I might share this.
