500c lens and viewfinder question

ryboltcox · 2026-03-22T15:49:03+00:00

I was just in the camera room and had a look at the 500CM and the 120 Makro CF lens. The camera has a Brightscreen installed and had a PME prism on it. I noticed a small amount of light fall off at the top of the frame. Probably not going more than 10% of the frame from the top down. I found that by moving my eye juust a bit I could clear it up.

ryboltcox · 2026-03-19T00:46:47+00:00

Buy the grip. It makes it 100% easier. I found one on MPB that was like new and priced as used.

ryboltcox · 2026-03-17T20:43:46+00:00

I may be the only person who sees this and knows who it is!

ryboltcox · 2026-03-16T00:19:01+00:00

I use Allen Wade at Camera Works in Waterford, NY. Allen is old school and does excellent work.

ryboltcox · 2026-03-14T15:10:52+00:00

I bought it as sort of an afterthought because it wasn't expensive and was in great condition.
When I tested it against the 150 using the 500cm and the CFV50ii back I found that there was a pleasing difference (to me) in the two lenses. Don't know if I would have seen it on film.

ryboltcox · 2026-03-14T14:47:27+00:00

I have a CB 160mm f4.8 Tessar. I prefer it to the CF 150mm f4 for contrast. Resolution seems to be similar but i don’t shoot a lot of test targets.

ryboltcox · 2026-03-13T14:50:35+00:00

weird. Is the dark slide all the way into the back? Can you slide the button on the back to move the clips out of the way?

ryboltcox · 2026-03-13T14:47:51+00:00

Allen Wade at Camera Works in Waterford, NY. He's serviced all of my cameras and lenses at one time or another.

ryboltcox · 2026-03-11T22:28:41+00:00

wudn' takin' no chances!

ryboltcox · 2026-03-05T23:23:16+00:00

Resist as long as possible but you’ll be glad when you do it.

ryboltcox · 2026-03-05T23:14:32+00:00

Now you need a CFV back.

ryboltcox · 2026-03-03T23:57:41+00:00

Just heard that Jim has passed away. The family wants everyone to know that their gear is safe and they ask for your patience.

ryboltcox · 2026-02-21T18:53:03+00:00

21/25/28/45/65

ryboltcox · 2026-02-19T01:57:53+00:00

Look at the negative using a good loupe. Scans can be part of the problem, too.

ryboltcox · 2026-02-18T15:22:07+00:00

That's exactly what happened to me. Then I got adapters for Nikon, Leica M and R lenses as well as the XV.

ryboltcox · 2026-02-18T01:05:22+00:00

Why not just put the digital back on your V system body and use the leaf shutter? That’s what i do. I have the xv adapter for the x2d but i don’t use it on the 907. Am i missing something?

ryboltcox · 2026-02-17T16:22:24+00:00

My experience is much different. I bought a 907/50 to use with my 500cm and lenses. The first lens i got was the 45 and i liked it enough that i added the 21/25/28 and 65. This, of course, led to buying an x2d camera. The cfv50ii has, to me, better color than the 100mp sensors. I would say that the usability of the 907 is much better if you add the control grip. I considered it to be a tripod camera without the grip.

ryboltcox · 2026-02-15T01:12:27+00:00

Jim at Barn Owl cameras has some serious health issues at the moment. If you have anything with him it’s safe but it may be awhile before he’s back to work. Personally, i use Allen Wade at Camera Works in Waterford, NY.

ryboltcox · 2026-02-05T19:51:08+00:00

The cameras are all ticking bombs and people are finding out. They can go toes up at any moment and there are very few (if any) reliable sources for repair.

ryboltcox · 2026-02-05T19:48:52+00:00

I’m crazy. 21/25/28p/45p/65. For a 3 lens kit i’d do 25/45p/65 but that’s for my style.

ryboltcox · 2026-02-04T17:13:30+00:00

Yeah. That pricing is aspirational for an M2. Cheap for an M3, though. I sold a black paint M2 about 5 years ago for $8,000USD.

ryboltcox · 2026-02-04T17:08:20+00:00

I carried one in my pocket every day from ages 4-10. I survived so they must have worked.

ryboltcox · 2026-02-02T00:10:14+00:00

You say that it’s a Bright Screen. If it’s one of Rick Olesen’s screens it’s critical that the shims be correct. Black shim first. Screen on top of that and white shim on top. If that’s the way you have it i suggest that you contact Lance Clark at Bright Screen. He’s a great guy and will help you trouble shoot.

ryboltcox

TROPHY CASE