Is A Finder With Small Fungus Spots Worth Trying to Save?

MCB18 · Jan 30, 2023

I found an RB67 CdS chimney finder for sale with a working meter, however it does have a small fungus problem. There are small dots of fungus on the bottom pane of glass, and possibly some on the diopter lens, though that might just be dust/dirt/oil. I have an exploded diagram of the finder, so I would clean it after arrival.

I have the eBay listing link handy, however I’m not sure what the rules are about posting it, even as a reference. Please let me know if I can post it here, and if not, I’ll PM the link to anyone who may be willing to share their 2 cents.

Thanks!

MattKing · Jan 30, 2023

There is no problem with posting an eBay link if you aren't the seller!
A screen grab of the listing might also accomplish what you want.

MCB18 · Jan 30, 2023

Alright, here are some images of the item:

Hopefully these are of OK quality.

MattKing · Jan 30, 2023

Which version of the finder is it? If it is the last version, the PDN finder, with the SBC meter, I would say it is definitely worth it.

MCB18 · Jan 30, 2023

MattKing said:
Which version of the finder is it? If it is the last version, the PDN finder, with the SBC meter, I would say it is definitely worth it.

I wasn’t even aware that there were 2 versions. This one is a CdS meter, though, so probably not the version you are referring to. It seems like most of the metered finders have some sort of fungus/haze, but this one has much less than other examples I’m looking at. It also has the eyecup, which seem to be missing on a lot of them.

If I can save it, then I’ll be very happy. And I’ll also get to feel accomplished.

Sirius Glass · Jan 30, 2023

Putting it in the sunlight for a few days or weeks will stop the fungus but will not remove it. It may or may not have etched the glass.

MCB18 · Jan 30, 2023

Sirius Glass said:
Putting it in the sunlight for a few days or weeks will stop the fungus but will not remove it. It may or may not have etched the glass.

If I get this finder, I plan on taking off the cover and cleaning the glass thoroughly on both sides. I am hoping that this small amount of fungus wouldn’t etch glass, but if it did, it shouldn’t affect focusing or metering, right? Just trying to gauge if this is something I should take on.

MattKing · Jan 30, 2023

How does the meter take its reading? I ask, in case you need to be careful with changing how the glass behaves.

gone · Jan 30, 2023

I'm almost sure it will clean off, assuming it isn't between cemented elements, which is sorta doubtful on a finder. But being lazy, I would do what SG said. Give it a good dose of UV outdoors or w/ a UV bulb inside and keep an eye (LOL) on it. Looks like it wouldn't affect either focus or metering, that is very minimal.

cramej · Jan 30, 2023

Polishing with a pec pad and non-whitening toothpaste can remove surface spots like that easily.

eli griggs · Jan 30, 2023

As long as you can disassemble and reassemble the unit without damaging the meter, clean it as best you can, using hydrogen peroxide.

Alcohol, I prefer top high proof Everclear, which is nontoxic, vs. Isopropyl or other denatured alcohols.

Eclipse, lens cleaning solution, with PEC pads.

Watch, to see how to use these materials properly.

Cheers

MCB18 · Jan 30, 2023

MattKing said:
How does the meter take its reading? I ask, in case you need to be careful with changing how the glass behaves.

There is a little arm with the CDS cell that swings out into the middle. Super interesting design choice.

eli griggs said:
As long as you can disassemble and reassemble the unit without damaging the meter, clean it as best you can, using hydrogen peroxide.

Alcohol, I prefer top high proof Everclear, which is nontoxic, vs. Isopropyl or other denatured alcohols.

Eclipse, lens cleaning solution, with PEC pads.

Watch, to see how to use these materials properly.

Cheers

I was planning on using glasses cleaner, which I’m fairly certain is some type of alcohol, possibly with some other stuff added in.

eli griggs · Jan 31, 2023

"There is a little arm with the CDS cell that swings out into the middle. Super interesting design choice."

The Leica M5 and analog CL both have a swing down meter cell.

Perhaps they, or your maker, saw and copied the basic design, from the other.

Is A Finder With Small Fungus Spots Worth Trying to Save?

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