Dark Line in PD Viewfinder

[jerry_plemons1]

My PD viewfinder finally arrived today and I have a burning question to which I

sure hope there is a positive answer.

 

This meter is a PD, not a PD S, which means the shutter speed only goes to

1/500; however, I was told that this Metered Prism would work fine on my Mamiya

1000s. I don't mind not having the 1/1000 on the meter since I don't plan to

use that speed much, if at all.

 

The issue is: There is a dark gray horizontal line (actually two thin

horizontal lines close together) which shows up in the prism as I look through

the viewfinder when not attached to the camera. When attached to the camera

(645 1000s), the dark horizontal lines appear just above the outer center

focusing circle.

 

The PD Prism/meter seems to function fine other than this minor annoyance.

 

Am I doing something wrong or have I been led astray?

 

Thanks in advance for your assistance. I am really a beginner with this camera.

 

Jerry

jplemons3@tx.rr.com

[jerry_plemons1]

I just answered my own question, I think. A photo.net search turned up a note string indicating that this line is due to separation of elements in the prism and that all prisms like mine will show some separation sooner or later. One responder said unless it was really bad, just live with it. Responders went on to say that Mamiya doesn't repair these either. Returning mine to KEH and requesting another one would eventually result in the same separation lines.

 

This is annoying, but certainly not tragic. I would have expected the vendor (KEH) to have had a "condition" statement that there was some separation in the prism elements, but I don't remember seeing any. If any of you more experienced Mamiya PD/PDs Prism users have other guidance, please let me know.

 

Thanks, Jerry

[russ_britt3]

How did they list condition?

[jerry_plemons1]

They have three or four "conditions" at KEH. LN Like New, EX Excellent, BGN Bargin, and Ugly. This item was EX. I just sent them an email concerning the issue. Had I know it had a dark line in the finder, I would have selected another finder. I believe they have a good return policy. It is just irritating to order something and it not be what I expected - plus the hassle of returning the unwanted item.

 

If indeed "all" of these 645 prisms show separation lines at some point, I suppose I can live with it. The finder wasn't all that expensive. I just find it difficult to believe "all" of Mamiya's 645 prisms have this defect.

 

Jerry

[calvin_lee]

Of all the M645 Prisms, the AE Prism Finder seems most resistant to this problem.

[jerry_plemons1]

Calvin,

 

Your recommendation is well taken. I returned the PD Prism to KEH and for a little more, purchased an AE Prism Finder.

 

Thanks all for the explanations and advice.

 

Jerry

[golden]

The AE prism finder will not fit the 1000s

[calvin_lee]

For those that are unfamiliar with the Mamiya M645 system, there was indeed an AE Prism for that line of cameras. Here is a scan from the original brochure.

 

http://members.cox.net/leecw/Mamiya_M645_Prisms2.jpg