F3 viewer question

zx7dave

Senior Member
There is a ring that is threaded but looks like it could be removed in the viewfinder (what you look through). I bought a hood which came with a screw in portion..however it looks like it would have to have the ring in the camera removed before this would fit..does that sound right or should it be able to screw into the existing ring?
 

blueiron

New member
There is a small black metal ring that has a black rubber jacket around it and as a unit, it is screwed into the threaded portion of the F3HP. When it is unscrewed, a DK-2 rubber eyecup can replace the rubber 'donut'.

There are two different eyecups that were used in the F3 series. The original F3 [with the DE-2 viewfinder] and the F3AF [with the DX-1 viewfinder] both use the DK-4 eyecup. If you have use one of these finders, buy lots of eyecups, as they easily fall off. The F3HP [DE-3 in standard HP models and DE-4 in the Titanium] and the F3P [with the rare DE-5 viewfinder that had a ISO hot shoe flash attachment on top] use the DK-2 eyecup.

Hope this helps.
 

zx7dave

Senior Member
Hi Blueiron - So what you see in the pic is how I got the camera...does the ring in the picture removeable? It is already damaged. What is the best way to remove it?
I looked at the new eye piece I bought and it appears that if I could get this ring currently in teh camera to unscrew then the new ring/eye hood would simply screw right in.... DSC01360.JPG
 

blueiron

New member
It should screw right off, but some can be difficult. It unscrews anti-clockwise and should do so with your fingers. There is no tool that I am aware of to remove a difficult one.

The new eyepiece may use the old ring [see if your new eyepiece has a new ring]. My D3 required that I use the existing ring to mount the eyecup. I don't know if the F3 uses the viewfinder shutter as a lock to hold the ring in place, it is a lock on the F5 and the D3, so if it is difficult to unscrew, try the viewpiece shutter to ensure that it is not locking it in place.
 

zx7dave

Senior Member
Yep...well I screwed that up...oh well...I think it will now take a repair shop to get the rest of the ring out..but it is flush and is not sharp, so no worse than it was as far as useability, but still unable to mount the rubber eye hood. That is ok..will only annoy me on the bright sunny days...Camera isn't worth taking to a repair shop...with the hourly rate they would charge it would be cheaper to buy another used view finder piece...
 

blueiron

New member
What happened to it? Did it get cross threaded?

Does Glazer's have repairs? Many of the places I have been would remove the ring for free, but of course, every place can be different.
 

zx7dave

Senior Member
haha...well it had a lip on it and since I couldn't get it to turn by any previous means I tried with a small pair of pliars..and the thin lip just ripped right off so not what is left is sitting flush against the body so no way to grab it anymore...would need some kind of easy out type tool at this point...oops....
I can try Glazer, but as I didn't buy the camera there....
 

blueiron

New member
If you buy the eyecup there? Sometimes that might do it.

If there is a bit of a sharp ridge that might be usable as a point for applied force [gentle, of course], I would try a nylon punch, a hard wood dowel, or a chunk of an old garden hose to gently push the ring in the direction you want it to go. If you slip, it won't mar the eyepiece glass, damage the threads, or the metal viewfinder housing.
 

zx7dave

Senior Member
I think I have done enough at this point...will see if Glazer is willing to do something for cheap...I did not get the hood from them...it really seems to be stuck in there..I did get a pretty good grip with the pliars before it ripped off..it is stuck well....
 
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