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Message |
    
Redsnapper
Tinkerer
Username: Redsnapper
Post Number: 1
Registered: 10-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, October 09, 2006 - 05:31 am: | 
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Hello All!
I'm a brand new member here with a particular interest in old Voigtlanders of which I have a number (amongst other old cameras). I'm beginning to get together the tools and confidence to do a number repairs myself and I've a Vitomatic IIa for which the rangefinder is accurate up to several metres but goes badly out at longer distances up to infinity. I know I could just use a accessory shoe rangefinder (I have an accurate Voigtlander one) or zone focusing which I'm well used to but it would be nice to get the original properly adjusted!
Does anybody have any experience or tips to pass on with such a repair?
Many thanks in advance!
Richard |
Ethostech
Tinkerer
Username: Ethostech
Post Number: 21
Registered: 07-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, October 10, 2006 - 12:02 am: |
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I have adjusted Vitomatic IIa rangefinders on several occasions but I didn't keep any specific notes because the procedure was so straight forward and intuitive.
The rear face of the focusing lens element housing is not flat but is rather a cam which pushes a pin when the element is rotated for focusing. The pin passes through the shutter periphery and into the camera chassis. If you remove the camera's top-plate you will be able to see what is going on. The rangefinder has adjustment possibilities for "throw"; for vertical image coincidence and for horizontal image coincidence. If you adjust for Infinity - the other focused distances will be correct.
The adjustments are micrometer super-sensitive and you may struggle a bit to get all exactly right but it is quite"doable".
UNLESS some plumber has in there before you and decided his Dremel-Tool can do a better job than the Voigtlander designers! |
Redsnapper
Tinkerer
Username: Redsnapper
Post Number: 2
Registered: 10-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, October 10, 2006 - 02:54 am: |
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Thanks Ethostech!
With your hints and reassurance I feel confident to have a go when I have some quiet moments and will report back on progress in due course.
All the best!
Richard |
Nalasicnarf
Tinkerer
Username: Nalasicnarf
Post Number: 1
Registered: 02-2007
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, February 24, 2007 - 05:16 am: |
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Count me in gentlemen-an old beginner I did the unthinkable and sewing machine oiled my good new vitessa L to fix slow shutters-WRONG. Still it's a memory lane trip for me as my 21st birthday vitessa was stolen yonks ago. I will fix.
Alan Francis |
Jan
Tinkerer
Username: Jan
Post Number: 23
Registered: 07-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, April 28, 2007 - 11:25 am: |
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Well,
I have had the top of my Vitomatic IIa off for three days and cannot see any adjustment screws. There is one, which sits horizontally on the rangefinder arm and is springloaded, but turning it does nothing.
Any ideas or pictures that would lead me in the right directions?
Many thanks,
Jan |
