Wonky frame lines - Olympus Pen D2

[Arbitrarium]

Hiya. I recently got an Olympus Pen D2 and threw a roll through it. Only after noticing some shots were skewed did I realise the problem was the frame lines in the viewfinder. I opened the camera up to see what could be done but it seems the bright frame is sandwiched between two glass elements which are also firmly cemented in the viewfinder...

So it's a manufacturing error, not damage from age/use. Which is spectacularly frustrating! It really throws me off my composition.

Any suggestions as to what to do? I could try removing the glass elements, attempt to split them and remove the frame lines altogether.

Gah!

 

[02Pilot]

I haven't been inside mine in a while, so my recollection of the exact arrangement is vague at best. Separating the glass seems risky; is there a way to dismount the whole glass (I think it's glued in place IIRC) and reposition it?

 

[Arbitrarium]

I haven't been inside mine in a while, so my recollection of the exact arrangement is vague at best. Separating the glass seems risky; is there a way to dismount the whole glass (I think it's glued in place IIRC) and reposition it?

Potentially, but the glass elements are already a tight fit so I worry the viewfinder won't fit under the top cover if it's at an angle. But yeah it's only glued in, so I guess it's worth a try!

 

[Frontman]

The glass elements are held in with epoxy cement. You can cut away some of the epoxy with an exacto knife, and the apply some paint thinner or acetone to soften what is left. Then wiggle the glass firmly with your fingers, eventually it will loosen up and come out.

I had the same issue with my Pen W.