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Message |
    
Grafman
Tinkerer
Username: Grafman
Post Number: 1
Registered: 03-2009
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, March 27, 2009 - 04:50 pm: | 
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My 1959 Bessamatic (standard model, selenium-cell above lens) needs a replacement penta-prism. Can I use the prism of another camera, like a low-end Japanese SLR, or a Zeiss relative, or a Retina Reflex? What will fit without modifying outside of camera?
Camera is apart. Prism is out of camera. I'm 100% sure large black areas in viewfinder are de-silvering of prism.
I've removed top plate, cleaned up old foam rubber, cleaned inside of viewfinder, v.f. eyepiece and screen. Mirror is clean and clear, as is lens.
So I'd like to buy a parts camera to harvest a good penta-prism. I think I'd have better chances and spend less money if I can use the prism out of a Sears, Ricoh, Pentax or whatever. I don't know what fits. I've read Rick Oleson's excellent tech articles and hope Mr Oleson or another knowledgable member can help me. Many thanks in advance. |
Bossman
Tinkerer
Username: Bossman
Post Number: 46
Registered: 02-2009
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, March 27, 2009 - 11:03 pm: |
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Grafman: I have a Bessamatic.....if I can find it and the prism is ok, I'll send it to you. Send me your e-mail address and postal address and I'll see if I can find it. Art www.flcamerarepair.com |
Estudleon
Tinkerer
Username: Estudleon
Post Number: 3
Registered: 09-2008
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, March 28, 2009 - 09:03 am: |
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I had the same problem with an ultramatic cs, I send this to resilvered to an optic shopp |
Grafman
Tinkerer
Username: Grafman
Post Number: 2
Registered: 03-2009
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, March 28, 2009 - 11:50 pm: |
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Reply to Bossman & Estudleon:
I just learned the penta-prism from a Minolta X Series SLR fits Bessamatics. I went to eBay and bought an X-300 parts camera for ten bucks! Will post after I make repair, let y'all know if it works. |
Connealy
Tinkerer
Username: Connealy
Post Number: 15
Registered: 02-2008
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, March 29, 2009 - 08:34 am: |
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I think Peter in that post was talking about putting the Minolta prism in my Retina Reflex. I don't believe it will fit in your Bessamatic. If that proves to be true, I'll trade you my B'matic prism for your Minolta. |
Grafman
Tinkerer
Username: Grafman
Post Number: 3
Registered: 03-2009
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, April 02, 2009 - 08:02 am: |
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Reply to Connealy:
If Minolta prism doesn't fit Bessamatic, you can have it to replace prism in your Retina Reflex. Have a hunch it may fit, R.R. {S, 3 & 4 models} and B'matic were similar, almost same camera under the skin. How many shapes of prism did Zeiss use in leaf shutter SLRs c.1959? I bet all prisms were similar and came from same place (outsourced). I'll let you know. |
