Swapping Packfilm Finders

So, you've got a packfilm camera with a folding viewfinder.

Maybe yours is broken, missing or just plain ugly.

Maybe you have the 2 window finder and want to "upgrade" to the single window Zeiss finder.

In any case, the steps involved are easy to follow and you'll have a better finder in a few minutes with little trouble.

Identify your finder

You can ONLY swap folding viewfinders. There are only two types:

2 window metal/plastic
1 window Zeiss

More than likely you want to swap to the better Zeiss finder and as such you'll need to acquire one. The following models have them: 250, 350, 360, 450, 180. That's it. If you need a Zeiss finder, you need one of these cameras to harvest from.

See this chart for a comparison of finders and models.

Remove the finders

Both style of folding finders use the same type of hinge pin so the same procedure can be used for either the 2 window or Zeiss finder.

Fold down the finder so you can see the hinge pin. Only one side of the hinge is moveable and it is covered with a small spring. This spring keeps the finder tight and appropriately placed, do not lose it.

Notice the metal tab which the focusing arm, blue arrow, rests on. Do not bend this as it affects focus and yours will be off.

Grab some pliers and grip the bent end of the hinge pin.

The best method is to hold the pliers and smack them to the right with something else like another pair of pliers. This should slide out the hinge pin.

Be careful not to lose the small spring which may go flying.

The finder should now be able to be removed.

Repeat the process for the other finder. If you aren't saving one of the finders, you can lose one of the springs and not feel so bad about it.

Swapping

Push the hinge pin you moved back so that it is almost back in its original position. You want it so that when you put the finder into the hinges you need little movement to slide the pin over.

Insert one end of the finder into the hinge on the right.

With the small spring over the hinge pin compress it slightly so you can align the pin with the hole.

Check the focusing arm and make sure it is on the proper side of the metal tab.

Making sure the spring isn't caught on the hinge grab the pin with pliers again.

Give it another smack to the left and hopefully if you have it all lined up properly the pin will insert and the finder will be locked in place now.

Some hinge pins are easier to push/pull than others. Smacking your pliers should only be done if normal attempts fail to move it.

 

Your camera now has a new finder!

Get out there and enjoy it.