dkCambridgeshire Posted March 18, 2011 Share #1 Posted March 18, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) I have seen a few examples Leicaflex SL cameras showing prism/viewfinder degradation. This can make the top and edges of the viewfinder appear to have eg streaks/rough edges and some of the shutter speed scale figures to be obscured. The anomaly has been described as both 'silvering' and 'balsam' faults. I am wondering exactly what causes this degradation and if both balsam separation and silvering oxidation are the actual culprits - does anyone know for sure? Any pointers/advice regarding this problem would be appreciated - especially from anyone who has stripped down/dismantled a L'flex prism/viewfinder. Cheers dunk Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted March 18, 2011 Posted March 18, 2011 Hi dkCambridgeshire, Take a look here Leicaflex prism problems/faults. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Doc Henry Posted March 18, 2011 Share #2 Posted March 18, 2011 Dunk, I have to change by Solms micro-prisms of my Leicaflex SL (see here *) it was after the drying of the balsam glue Best Henri * http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/leica-collectors-historica/97395-i-am-sad.html Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wildlightphoto Posted March 22, 2011 Share #3 Posted March 22, 2011 De-silvering problems appear as indistinct yellowish or brownish blotches anywhere in the field of view. Repairing this problem means replacing the prism, which can be expensive. Lubricants creeping into the field of view from the sides might mean you need a replacement viewscreen. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dkCambridgeshire Posted March 23, 2011 Author Share #4 Posted March 23, 2011 De-silvering problems appear as indistinct yellowish or brownish blotches anywhere in the field of view. Repairing this problem means replacing the prism, which can be expensive. Lubricants creeping into the field of view from the sides might mean you need a replacement viewscreen. Thanks Doug. Could you give your opinion/diagnosis of a horizontal light band across the top of the finder and a creeping 'something" from right to left across the bottom of the finder which partially masks the shutter speed figures? These were observed in an Ebay SL purchased by a friend and since refunded ... but now relisted with a very long description which makes no mention of the faults ... and the vendor states, ' ... the focusing prism and screen are clean ...' !! Cheers dunk Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wildlightphoto Posted March 23, 2011 Share #5 Posted March 23, 2011 Thanks Doug. Could you give your opinion/diagnosis of a horizontal light band across the top of the finder and a creeping 'something" from right to left across the bottom of the finder which partially masks the shutter speed figures? These were observed in an Ebay SL purchased by a friend and since refunded ... but now relisted with a very long description which makes no mention of the faults ... and the vendor states, ' ... the focusing prism and screen are clean ...' !! Most likely there's gunk on the viewscreen. I'd have to see it to be more specific. This does not sound like prism de-silvering. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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