Bolex Eyepiece Glass Moving around

Cale Boys · September 5

My Bolex view finder eyepiece is rattling around causing the image to of course go out of focus. I’ve stripped it all, but I can’t seem to find how I’m supposed to secure the glass that’s rattling around? Also the geared front part is slammed solid shut and won’t budge.

Edited September 5 by Cale Boys

Simon Wyss · September 5

A Paillard-Bolex H-16 Reflex, model 4 or REX-4 from between 1963 and 1969.

The guide screw in the plastic ring stands out, it should be sitting down with its stud in the ocular’s helical groove. Screw it carefully in while searching for the groove. Don’t exert any force there.

What do you mean by geared front part? If the lenses in the ocular are loose, the finder funnel needs to be removed, the ocular removed and taken apart. A service job requiring fitting tools

Cale Boys · September 5

Sorry I meant this “geared ring” does that have anything to do with it?

Dom Jaeger · September 5

The optic closest to your eye is held by a lock ring deep in the eyepiece tube that needs a custom spanner. The other eyepiece optic held by a clamp ring needs to be removed to access it, then on reassembly the mask needs to be re-aligned, as well as probably the front viewfinder prism.

The diopter adjustment lock can bind if it’s screwed down hard or lubrication is old. Don’t use something like a plumber’s wrench that will damage the knurling.