RB67 WLF Question

[nwilkins]

Are there any options for protecting the focusing screen of an RB67, other than a folded up WLF? My camera came with a WLF in pretty bad shape and I upgraded to a chimney finder and prism. However when the camera is not in use I have been keeping the WLF folded up on top to protect it. Now one of the screws has sheared off (threads still stuck inside name plate) and the WLF is not very secure. Just wondering if I'll need to buy a new WLF just for protection or is there is some kind of cover I could get instead?

 

[macfred]

Found an offer from a german seller on ebay - he describes this one as a cover for the top ( oben means top ) - http://www.ebay.de/itm/Mamiya-Gehau...o_Camcorder_Analogkameras&hash=item43d2e233dc
I'm not quite sure - this also could be the cover for the back ...

 

[nwilkins]

yeah that looks like some back covers I have seen

 

[jadphoto]

You can get a used WLF from KEH for pretty cheap. They currently list one in EX condition for $45 USD. They are very conservative with their ratings, my experience has been that KEH Excellent is most people's Mint.

Might be just as easy to replace yours. I'm not sure what shipping would be to NS but couldn't be too much I wouldn't suppose.

You anywhere near Judique? Ann and I love the Celtic Music Center.

JD

 

[nwilkins]

the annoying thing is I don't need a working finder so even $45 seems like a lot for essentially just a cover. but I guess that might be my only option if Mamiya never made any covers. Unfortunately KEH not an option - they charge insane shipping prices to Nova Scotia. I once got them to charge me actual shipping (I think it was $50 or $60 LESS than their quote) after talking to a couple of different levels of supervisor but it's not worth the hassle.

Judique I think is in Cape Breton - I may have driven through it a couple of times

 

[John Koehrer]

The cover in the link doesn't seem to be the right proportions for 6X7 to me.

 

[Heinz]

In this overview of the rb67 system

http://www.cameramanuals.org/mamiya_pdf/mamiya_rb67_pro-s_system.pdf

a large number of caps is pictured - but as far as I see not one for the focusing screen.

 

[film_man]

The cap on the ebay listing mentioned is the rear body cover (where the film back would go).

 

[film_man]

It you only need the WLF for when not in use (ie sitting on a shelf/bag) does it matter if the WLF is not that secure?

 

[nwilkins]

it didn't until I opened my bag recently to find it in multiple pieces lying on the focusing screen. I put it back together but am worried it is going to happen again and potentially damage the screen.

 

[Kirks518]

If it's in pieces, and you only use it as a cover for the screen, why not super glue it back together in the closed position, and use it that way? Or JB Weld it back together?

 

[nwilkins]

just to be clear it is the latching mechanism which is broken. i can't think of a way to super glue it and still retain the mobility needed to attach/remove the finder.

 

[Kirks518]

Can you post a pic of it, showing the broken area? There has to be a way.

 

[nwilkins]

yeah I will try and borrow a digital camera

 

[longknives]

If you've got a steady hand and a small drill bit like a #60, drill it then a touch of epoxy on the bit, let it set up and back the screw out. Then you need to find a screw that will hold the parts together enough to work, the original is special. All your out is the drill bit and some epoxy vs a replacement WLF.

 

[jadphoto]

the annoying thing is I don't need a working finder so even $45 seems like a lot for essentially just a cover. but I guess that might be my only option if Mamiya never made any covers. Unfortunately KEH not an option - they charge insane shipping prices to Nova Scotia. I once got them to charge me actual shipping (I think it was $50 or $60 LESS than their quote) after talking to a couple of different levels of supervisor but it's not worth the hassle.

Judique I think is in Cape Breton - I may have driven through it a couple of times

You're right, Cape Beton, mea culpa. Ann and I arrived in Nova Scotia simultaneously with hurricane Earl, so we weren't always sure just where we were.

You're also right on the shipping, that's some ugly shipping fees to some place on the same continent.

I've been using RBs since the mid-seventies and am not aware of any cover for the focusing screen other than the WLF.

I don't know any of the big city camera shops up there in the north woods other than Henry's, but surely, there must be a KEH-ish store up there somewhere.

Maybe someone in Baja Canada could "trans-ship" one as a "gift" to you. Wink, wink, nudge, nudge!

When I had my studio I was the king of foam core, you can make almost anything from foam core and gaffer's tape. I made several 4x5 (5x4?) focusing screen protectors out of it. The stuff will compress if you apply enough pressure so it becomes a "crumple zone" for your ground glass. Very effective.

JD

 

[nwilkins]

okay thanks everyone - looks like I'll just have to bite the bullet and get a wlf since I'm not at all handy with tools

 

[yorbard]

A -hopefully not too wacky solution: mobile phone protector screens that adhere by proximity not glue, cut to shape should do the trick: the stuff is clear and weatherproof, not very cheap, but strong


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[nwilkins]

wow I never thought of that - I would worry a little about how much it could protect the screen though. I'll keep it in mind should the need arise again - for now I ended up buying another WLF.