Jump to content

1949 IIIc Attachable Rangefinder?


NakaMichi

Recommended Posts

Advertisement (gone after registration)

HI Folks:

 

Just got a 1949 IIIc with a Summarit 50mm, f2.0, in just wonderful condition. The rangefinder window however is a bit small! and I was wondering if: 1) the IIIc can use an attachable rangefinder, and 2) if there are eyecups for this model (I use eyeglasses and right now the metal around the rangefinder and viewfinder windows can scratch them easily.

 

I've searched forums, and read plenty of things online (and the Leica Manual) but so far have only seen external viewfinders, light meters, etc.

 

Don't have great photos of this little marvel yet, but here's an early attempt taken with my iPhone:

 

My New Friend, II | Flickr

 

Thanks for any info.

 

Best,

 

NK

Link to post
Share on other sites

Yes you can get separate rangefinders, but they are going to be 'squinty' as well. If you cant wear contact lenses or use glasses then it is a M or ZM camera for you.

 

You can fit felt to the eyepices pair with glue to protect eye glasses.

 

Noel

Link to post
Share on other sites

The end discs of the separate, long-base FODIS and FOFER, and short-base FOKOS rangefinders, fit in the camera's accessory shoe – that was what the shoe was originally for!

 

The rangefinder may well be useable by you without specs, as it is focusing (like the little telescope it actually is). Remains the question of the finder itself. There existed screw-in correction lenses for both eyepieces, code OPRTO for the b, c and f cameras, but finding appropriate lenses now, or having them made new from old specimens, would seem well nigh impossible.

 

One way may be to get some cheap all-plastic "gas station" reading glasses, use them for shooting and discard them when they got too scratchy. But if you are astigmatic – God help you. I can't.

 

The old man from the Age of Bifocals

Link to post
Share on other sites

Thank you all. The answers accord with what I was thinking. I will put felt or some rubberized material around the rangefinder window, and keep on going (I also have an extra pair of glasses that are old and scratched). It is hard to see through that small window, but part of the joy will be seeing just how that shapes the outcome.

 

Thank you all,

 

NK:)

Link to post
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...