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Searching an external view finder for use with Distagon 4/18

My understanding is that using a small dab of epoxy resin will do the trick but you leave the tape in situ to ensure that focusing remains accurate. I've not tried it myself but I do have a Contax 139 with a slipped mirror along with a RTSII - I'd be inclined to try it on the least valuable camera first....
 
Just a short notice - last autumn I have done the mentioned procedure to move the mirror of my Yashica FX-D into its correct position.
It did work so far, and I have kept the camera stored in a way that the mirror should have moved further backwards, by the law of gravity. But meanwhile the mirror has moved forward, back into its former position.
I think the adhesive's elasticity is the reason. So I will have to repeat my procedure from time to time ;).

Michael
 
mkuhlma said:
Just a short notice - last autumn I have done the mentioned procedure to move the mirror of my Yashica FX-D into its correct position.
It did work so far, and I have kept the camera stored in a way that the mirror should have moved further backwards, by the law of gravity. But meanwhile the mirror has moved forward, back into its former position.
I think the adhesive's elasticity is the reason. So I will have to repeat my procedure from time to time ;).

Michael
Click to expand...
Hi Michael.

Thank you for the update; much appreciated. Repeating the process from time-to-time is frustrating but it is the safest solution.

I've decided to find a dead camera with the mirror problem and will try raising the mirror after warming it and then applying epoxy resin to the front of the supporting frame and see what happens. The trick will be get a thin enough layer of the epoxy resin that will hold the mirror but without raising it and so creating focusing problems. I'll report back when this has been done.

Graham
 
As for my RTS II bodies - for now I have decided to be careful, even when the mirror is adjusted. So my solution is: either taking my Yashica FX-D body.
Or... :cool:

RTS II mit Leitz-Sucher.jpg

This is a pre-war finder from Ernst Leitz Wetzlar :proud:, manufactured for Leica II / III (I guess), which I originally bought to use it on my 1936 Contax II.
It can be adjusted to work with a 35 mm wide angle lens. My method: first using the RTS II's finder with the Distagon 18 mm. Remembering what is in the middle of the focusing screen. Then moving up the mirror and switching to the Leica finder - searching what was in the middle of the RTS II finder and placing it in the middle of the Leica finder. Then taking the picture. Moving down the mirror again.
I know it's pretty complicated ;). But it's better than to ruin another RTS II body...

Michael
 
Hi Michael,

It may be laborious but it's a very good workaround! The nice thing is that it slows down the picture-taking which, in this digital fire-and-forget culture, allows you to consider composition, shadow, etc. more carefully. It's reminiscent of shooting medium format which, with 120 film being so expensive, makes you take your time. It usually results in better photos...
 
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