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Focuspot light blub, how to remove?

 
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peter k



Joined: 26 Dec 2009
Posts: 207
Location: Sedona Az

PostPosted: Tue Dec 27, 2011 5:58 pm    Post subject: Focuspot light blub, how to remove? Reply with quote

The power cord needs to be replaced as the insulation has gone south.
Looking form the back of the camera to the front at 10 O'clock, there is a raised 'head'. It is not slotted, so it's not a screw. Pushing down on it gently to see if it was a push release, did nothing.

The connector on the Focuspot is facing the Tubular Viewfinder, so something has to give, to replace the power cord.
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peter k



Joined: 26 Dec 2009
Posts: 207
Location: Sedona Az

PostPosted: Tue Dec 27, 2011 11:20 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

OK .. No replies soooo.. went on. In my search on the web, found this site.
Quote:
http://lommen9.home.xs4all.nl/focuspot/index.html

Loosened the attachment screw holding the Focuspot and turned it clockwise, opposite of what they show, because of the connector.
Once off, I could examine the Focuspot in bright daylight with a magnifying glass up close. That was a set screw at 2 O'clock, looks like the head was twisted off.
Made a new power cord and it works, but all I get, as older search posts indicate, is a rather dull light. Yet in another location on the same web site..
Quote:
http://lommen9.home.xs4all.nl/kalart/page9.html

it shows a rather remarkable image to focus with. Not two round orbs of light, one brighter than the other to focus with.

Perhaps in the belly of a B-24 or B-17 it appeared brighter at 14,000 ft.

The Rangefinder glass as I look from the outside in with the light on, looks dusty from 65 years of .. living. I don't know if its worth taking apart and cleaning.

Any comments or suggestions?
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1banjo



Joined: 16 Nov 2008
Posts: 492
Location: kansas

PostPosted: Wed Dec 28, 2011 12:12 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hey peter
you may need to put in a New BEAMSPLITTERS in your rangfinder
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45PSS



Joined: 28 Sep 2001
Posts: 4081
Location: Mid Peninsula, Ca.

PostPosted: Wed Dec 28, 2011 2:46 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Remove the screws that hold the rangefinder cover onto the camera/rangefinder. Once the cover is off you can clean the windows and the mirrors. The mirrors are front surface and are easily scratched. I use Windex and cotton swabs. A microfiber lens cleaning cloth works well also.

The focuspot only projects an image of the bulb filament onto the subject and aligning the filament images puts the subject in focus. They only work up to 15 feet to 25 feet max depending on the bulb, batteries, contacts, mirror quality, and window quality.

Down in the accessories help section is information for replacing the bulb with a laser. Site search keyword focuspot.
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peter k



Joined: 26 Dec 2009
Posts: 207
Location: Sedona Az

PostPosted: Wed Dec 28, 2011 3:09 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

OK... tomorrow I'll clean it, at 5-6' you can hardly see it in a dim lit area. Much to weak. Thanks for the info.
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45PSS



Joined: 28 Sep 2001
Posts: 4081
Location: Mid Peninsula, Ca.

PostPosted: Wed Dec 28, 2011 4:48 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Banjo is probably correct. A cleaning will not hurt.
http://graflex.org/articles/romney/rangefinder-mirrors.html
http://www.scientificsonline.com/mirror-type-beamsplitter.html
http://graflex.org/speed-graphic/kalart-adjustment.html
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peter k



Joined: 26 Dec 2009
Posts: 207
Location: Sedona Az

PostPosted: Wed Dec 28, 2011 6:32 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Ok cleaned and Banjo is correct need new bean splitters.
Got the set screw for the bulb replaced at same time.
Adjusting it, front to rear focuses the light tighter.

Now in taking it apart I turned the external set screw on the outside housing, just below the top Rangefinder 'window'. It seems to adjust a lever below the beam splitter. I guess it will all have to be readjusted when I get the new beam splitter anyway, but this adjustment aligns the Rangefinder focus with the grown glass focus. Correct?
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45PSS



Joined: 28 Sep 2001
Posts: 4081
Location: Mid Peninsula, Ca.

PostPosted: Wed Dec 28, 2011 7:48 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I don't know what that screw does off hand as there are several versions of the rangefinder.
http://www.cameraeccentric.com/html/info/kalart_1.html (same manual as this sites, better copy)
http://lommen9.home.xs4all.nl/kalart/index.html

It may be a lock screw not an adjustment screw. You will have to readjust your rangefinder once the mirror is replaced. The adjustments will be minor and the procedure is simple once its been done a time or two.
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