dim brightlines in Leica finder

[dougiec29]

I just got a 135mm Leica finder (SHOOC) and the brightlines are not what I was expecting. They are close to invisible in most situations, other times I can see part of the frameline. They are *darker* than the surroundings. A couple questions:
1)Most brightline finders (or Leica or this one in particular) the brightlines are easy to see, right?
2)How do they work? Is this correct:
Light enters the front, reflects off a mirrored surface on the side close to my eye, and is reflected back off brightlines on the surface farthest from my eye, creating lines brighter than the surroundings.
3)assuming that's right, could the front element be in backwards right now? How would I take it apart and fix it?



I bought this from KEH and returning it is an option, but I wanted to use it tuesday; so if I might fix it by taking it apart, I'd love to try that even at the risk of ending up with just parts. Thanks for any help and I'm going to keep searching for any resources...

[eia41]

Why don't you direct your question to the dealer you bought it from? Taking it apart should not be recomended and might cancel any claim you may have if goods prove faulty...

[Brian Sweeney]

Try shining a flashlight into it, and looking for haze in the elements. Haze will reduce the contrast of the lines. Also inspect the gold paint that produces the brightlines. If it has flaked/faded, it is not going to be easily restored. In any event, if the finder is covered under a warranty, have it fixed. If not, and you paid a good bit for it, return it. If it was cheap- either have it cleaned, or try it yourself. I've cleaned some finders to good working order, but never paid more than $15 for them. So if they were ruined, they were still good for parts.

[Roberto]

Originally Posted by dougiec29

I just got a 135mm Leica finder (SHOOC) and the brightlines are not what I was expecting. They are close to invisible in most situations, other times I can see part of the frameline. They are *darker* than the surroundings. A couple questions:
1)Most brightline finders (or Leica or this one in particular) the brightlines are easy to see, right?
2)How do they work? Is this correct:
Light enters the front, reflects off a mirrored surface on the side close to my eye, and is reflected back off brightlines on the surface farthest from my eye, creating lines brighter than the surroundings.
3)assuming that's right, could the front element be in backwards right now? How would I take it apart and fix it?



I bought this from KEH and returning it is an option, but I wanted to use it tuesday; so if I might fix it by taking it apart, I'd love to try that even at the risk of ending up with just parts. Thanks for any help and I'm going to keep searching for any resources...

Try looking through the other side, you're probably using it in the wrong way.
Bring the biggest side to the eye.
R.

[dougiec29]

I was looking through the wrong end.
Thanks guys and Roberto in particular.
That was ridiculous.

[Roberto]

Originally Posted by dougiec29

I was looking through the wrong end.
Thanks guys and Roberto in particular.
That was ridiculous.

ohh noo it is not ridiculous.. I did the same with my SGVOO