RPCrowe
19th of November 2008 (Wed), 12:39
This is a 'sports finder' from a Topcon camera that came as part of the Navy Topcon camera kit that was issued to Navy aviators and some crewman during the 1960's and 1970's. I found it while sorting out some old Navy gear of mine.
This "sports finder" fit on the hotshoe of the 35mm Topcon camera. It was used for air to surface photography of ships primarily from jet aircraft. The Topcon was a standard Navy 35mm camera of its time.
The finder allowed me, while wearing a flight helmet with bubble visor to sight my target from about 8 inches from my face. The aviator or aircrewman could also sight the target with both eyes open by simply centering the vertical stick in the rectangular frame. It was surprisingly accurate but could not tell the exact vertical and horizontal limits of the image. This finder was optimized for a 90mm or 100mm lens.
I am going to play with this this in conjunction with my 400mm lens for small distant subjects. It is sometimes difficult to find a small distant subject (especially one that is moving rapidly) with a long prime using the camera's viewfinder. The "sports finder" will put me in the general area of the subject.
This "sports finder" fit on the hotshoe of the 35mm Topcon camera. It was used for air to surface photography of ships primarily from jet aircraft. The Topcon was a standard Navy 35mm camera of its time.
The finder allowed me, while wearing a flight helmet with bubble visor to sight my target from about 8 inches from my face. The aviator or aircrewman could also sight the target with both eyes open by simply centering the vertical stick in the rectangular frame. It was surprisingly accurate but could not tell the exact vertical and horizontal limits of the image. This finder was optimized for a 90mm or 100mm lens.
I am going to play with this this in conjunction with my 400mm lens for small distant subjects. It is sometimes difficult to find a small distant subject (especially one that is moving rapidly) with a long prime using the camera's viewfinder. The "sports finder" will put me in the general area of the subject.