Cinema Product CP-16R Viewfinder stuck?

Tyler Fukuda · June 21

Hey everyone

Recently picked up a CP-16R for a decent price here locally

I'm trying to remove the viewfinder optics housing (The one that is inside the body of the camera). It would appear that there are two socket-cap screws that hold it in place. I've removed both but it doesn't seem to free it from the body?

I'm wondering if anyone has advice as i'd like to remove the haze on the internal surface of the optical flat that's there.

Tyler Fukuda · June 21

Tyler Purcell · June 21

The screw on top is the only one that locks it in place. I usually screw on the viewfinder itself and use that for leverage to pull out the entire assembly. You can also pull the cover off the top (if it's a later gen) and you can gain some leverage from there as well. It's not easy to come out, takes a bit of fiddling as they use some sort of adhesive. You're always welcome to bring it by.

Geffen Avraham · June 22

Isn't the entire assembly linked to a light meter? Wouldn't pulling it out tear the wires?

Tyler Purcell · June 22

25 minutes ago, Geffen Avraham said:

Isn't the entire assembly linked to a light meter? Wouldn't pulling it out tear the wires?

If it doesn't have a cap, it doesn't have any of those accessories. They are installed through that cap.

Geffen Avraham · June 22

If it does have it, can you safely remove the assembly without snipping any wires?

Tyler Purcell · June 22

14 hours ago, Geffen Avraham said:

If it does have it, can you safely remove the assembly without snipping any wires?

You access it from above in the top cover and disconnect it there.

Tyler Fukuda · June 28

On 6/22/2026 at 10:49 AM, Tyler Purcell said:

You access it from above in the top cover and disconnect it there.

All that aside, removed the screw and am still having a very difficult time removing it outwards from the body. I’d imagine i’m applying anywhere from 60-70lbs of pull and nothing.

Is it possible that the assembly gets pulled inwards towards the board/electronics side?

I’m considering taking a soft mallet and trying to break it free with some blunt force. Though i’m afraid that might upset the mask and any prisms in the assembly.

Tyler Purcell · June 28

13 hours ago, Tyler Fukuda said:

All that aside, removed the screw and am still having a very difficult time removing it outwards from the body. I’d imagine i’m applying anywhere from 60-70lbs of pull and nothing.

Is it possible that the assembly gets pulled inwards towards the board/electronics side?

I’m considering taking a soft mallet and trying to break it free with some blunt force. Though i’m afraid that might upset the mask and any prisms in the assembly.

I've removed a lot of them, it's quite a common thing to remove. I can dig up an assembly and see if there is something I'm missing, but that upper screw was the only one and no, it comes out the way you put the viewfinder on.

Tyler Fukuda · June 28

2 hours ago, Tyler Purcell said:

I've removed a lot of them, it's quite a common thing to remove. I can dig up an assembly and see if there is something I'm missing, but that upper screw was the only one and no, it comes out the way you put the viewfinder on.

I think it may have something to deal with the body having been repainted and perhaps it’s creating a very interesting seal that prevents the assembly from coming free.

Mark Dunn · June 29

12 hours ago, Tyler Fukuda said:

I think it may have something to deal with the body having been repainted and perhaps it’s creating a very interesting seal that prevents the assembly from coming free.

If that's the problem you should be able to cut it with a Stanley knife or similar.

Tyler Fukuda · June 30

After attempting to free the VF yesterday, I think it's safe to say that whomever painted the body may have epoxied or glued the VF into place. Even with the screws removed and a good bit of prying force, there was no budge. Not entirely sure what the next move might be.