Nikon viewfinder repair

Phil_F_NM · 07-13-2012

Is there anyone who could do a repair on a Nikon SP with a viewfinder that has mostly blacked out?
In the VF, the rangefinder spot is relatively bright but the surrounding window is mostly very dark. From the front it looks like the prisms have separated and now the view is mostly quite dim.
This isn't on my SP that I'm totally in love with, by the way. The camera in question came from a Craigslist ad and was too inexpensive to turn down. I mean just a few hundred dollars.
Everything else on the camera is functionally perfect and it is in cosmetically excellent condition.
If there is a spare SP viewfinder out there, I'd be willing to buy it. Also if anyone can point me to a repair tech who could do the work, I would be very appreciative.

Thanks all.
Phil Forrest

Calzone · 07-13-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phil_F_NM

Is there anyone who could do a repair on a Nikon SP with a viewfinder that has mostly blacked out?
In the VF, the rangefinder spot is relatively bright but the surrounding window is mostly very dark. From the front it looks like the prisms have separated and now the view is mostly quite dim.
This isn't on my SP that I'm totally in love with, by the way. The camera in question came from a Craigslist ad and was too inexpensive to turn down. I mean just a few hundred dollars.
Everything else on the camera is functionally perfect and it is in cosmetically excellent condition.
If there is a spare SP viewfinder out there, I'd be willing to buy it. Also if anyone can point me to a repair tech who could do the work, I would be very appreciative.

Thanks all.
Phil Forrest

Phil for a more definitive answer to your question I suggest a trip to Nippon Photo Clinic. Generally they get back to you within 24 hours, but today is Friday. The estimate costs nothing BTW.

Cal

Phil_F_NM · 07-13-2012

Thanks Cal, I called them and talked to the tech who has Nikon rangefinder experience. He said he can't do the repair without a spare rangefinder.

I'm going to email Focal Point to see if they can do the re-cementing.

Phil Forrest

Calzone · 07-13-2012

Phil that's a good idea. I didn't think of John at Focal Point. Basically if he can re-cement lenses he should be able to re-cement a prism.

Cal

Phil_F_NM · 07-13-2012

I'll bring both SP bodies to the RFF meet on Sunday so all can see and possibly make recommendations.
Also, see you tomorrow in LIC.

Phil Forrest

ark8012 · 07-13-2012

I heard there is a size limitation for doing re-cementing at focal point. John could not help me out to re-cementing of 35mm summicron lens because the radius of the lens is too small for his machine. I hope it works out for you, Phil.

Noah

Phil_F_NM · 07-13-2012

Thanks Noah. I had no idea there was a size issue.
I might have to crack them apart and do it myself in that case. Worst case scenario, it can't be repaired and gets replaced with the optical block from a beaten S2 but it would lose some functionality with the SP framelines. Goodness gracious they are bright in this camera! Like a new finder! I think someone dropped it hard which caused the issue. Until it gets fixed, it will probably make a great body for a 2.8cm lens.

Phil Forrest

Calzone · 07-13-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phil_F_NM

I'll bring both SP bodies to the RFF meet on Sunday so all can see and possibly make recommendations.
Also, see you tomorrow in LIC.

Phil Forrest

I'll be there early because I like that morning light. I'll be carrying my cell.

Cal

Calzone · 07-13-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phil_F_NM

Thanks Noah. I had no idea there was a size issue.
I might have to crack them apart and do it myself in that case. Worst case scenario, it can't be repaired and gets replaced with the optical block from a beaten S2 but it would lose some functionality with the SP framelines. Goodness gracious they are bright in this camera! Like a new finder! I think someone dropped it hard which caused the issue. Until it gets fixed, it will probably make a great body for a 2.8cm lens.

Phil Forrest

Phil,

Already another custom RF project. LOL.

Setting up a trick camera for wides, especially since you already have another SP, is interesting.

Cal

Phil_F_NM · 07-13-2012

The camera is actually going to my friend Ben, a fellow RFFer. I found it and brokered the purchase of it but the seller said the VF only needed a cleaning, not that the prisms separating. It's an excellent camera aside from that. Not quite mint. Maybe "minty," hahaha! Shutter is perfect, body is in awesome condition, winding is smooth, even the framelines in the viewfinder are like new as far as I can tell. If this separation can get fixed, the camera will be an amazing user for years to come.

Phil Forrest

Range-rover · 07-13-2012

Wow, I'm going to B&H on Sunday to sell some stuff, just need a few filters
and things, After cleaning my Nikon S2 would like to see your SP's there
new to me after using Leica's and all, where are you guys meeting again?

range

Phil_F_NM · 07-13-2012

Range,
We'd definitely love to have you show up. It's 1:00PM at Puck Fair, an Irish pub on Lafayette just south of Houston St. Just south of the gas station on the SW corner.

Here's the regional club thread:
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/foru...d.php?t=121106

Phil Forrest

enasniearth · 07-13-2012

Dag. Don Goldberg did an m3 with the same problem for a friend about
10 years back .
Or try ken Ruth at photography on bald mountain

Range-rover · 07-14-2012

Wow, that is more complicated that the S2, everything looks enclosed,
It's not user friendly for sure, you really need the experience to fix those.

Range

Stefcuoz · 07-15-2012

Dear Phil....
I have dismount many SP and i have all the spare parts...

only one problem....for exactly two problem...

First esplain with simple english the defect of your SP finder, or some member write me the defect in Italian Language..

Second.. you have to ship in Itali the SP

Third, from now i'm in holiday...so i can answer you after the 25 of July.

Regards
Steve.
PS... jonmanjiro and many other can guaranteed to you of my seriety...

Phil_F_NM · 07-17-2012

Steve,
The main viewfinder prisms have become separated which causes the viewfinder (not the rangefinder patch) to black out.
If you have the part, I could purchase it from you and have the repair done here instead of sending the camera to Italy.

Phil Forrest

Calzone · 07-17-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonmanjiro

Having cleaned both S2 finders and SP finders, I'm fairly certain this is not possible as they are completely different designs.

The SP finder is one unit, and not meant to be disassembled so disassembling it to repair prism separation would require some very delicate and time consuming work.

Worst case scenario is you have a body dedicated to wide angle lenses or a parts camera. You could probably sell the camera in pieces and make some money on it.

Here's some pics of an SP finder assembly.

Nikon SP finder - bottom by jonmanjiro, on Flickr

Nikon SP finder - top by jonmanjiro, on Flickr

Nikon SP rangefinder assembly by jonmanjiro, on Flickr

That's a very impressive VF'er. I love to see that kind of quality. Oh the good old days.

Cal