Cleaning Turret Viewfinder

[radiophoto]

Over in the FS forum I announced that I had gotten a really nice Steinheil (made for Tower/Sears) turret viewfinder, and thanks to Reed I've sold my individual VFs.  Well, it looks like the innards need to be cleaned up somewhat (I cleaned the outer lenses but still looks hazy).

I'm not keen on undoing the 3 screws on the back end of this thing until I know what's inside, so I don't inadvertently dump out a bunch of tiny mirrors or gears or other hardware.  Is it remotely possible that someone here has opened one up to see inside?  And, you know, wants to share that info?

Unload here, please! 

[br1078lum]

  I purchased a Zeiss 440 turret finder, only to find out that it had a major glob of something blocking part of the view, and the mask is crooked.  I sugest that whatever you do, if there is a little set screw in the base of the mount, do not mess with it.  It controls the parralax setting for each finder lens via a friction pin that works the click stops.  You may find it a bit difficult to remove the back of the finder, but then you won't have to go through the trouble of having to realign everything.  On the Zeiss, the front came off very easily, showing a small opening for the internal prisms that also has the mask.  I have not taken mine apart yet because I don't have a spanner to fit the tiny slots on the retaining ring.  After that, whatever comes out, make sure you note the alignment of the pieces for reassembly.  It is not as difficult as a Rubic Cube, but it helps to know how everything looks correctly.

  I also have the Zeiss 85-135 finder, and when I took that apart, things just fell out all over the place.  Luckily, there were only three pieces to put back, and I got it right on the second attempt.  Have something to blow out any dust particles before reassembly.  And do it on a cloth so that if something comes sneaking out on you, it doesn't bounce on a hard surface, or very high.  Have a bin for holding all the parts, and it will most likely be lubed with a fine oil, so be carefull you don't get that all over the lenses/prisms.

Good Luck!

PFM

[radiophoto]

PFM,
Thanks for your input -- just a few minutes ago, before I saw your post, as a matter of fact, I unscrewed the back cover and looked inside.  I saw the multi-prism but there was no access to the back side of the front lenses, so I put it back together.  Nothing unforeseen happened, no springs popped out or little pieces of whatever, so I'm OK there.

The only thing wrong with the VF is the haze that seems to be on the 35mm lens, and the front of it has this thick black ring that won't allow me to get to the glass with anything larger than a toothpick.  And I can't clean a lens with a toothpick.

Ah, well.  I can still see through it, somewhat.

[br1078lum]

You know, Pete, I just thought of it.  In the hobby shops they sell micro-brush sets with different style tips on them for everything from cleaning small areas to aplying glues, paints, and lube.  You could get some of those to clean the front of your turrets.  I use them on lots of stuff besides model railroading.

PF

[radiophoto]

Great idea!