HISTORY:
We bought this a LONG time ago as it was 'handy' to make sensible purchasing decisions for our CCTV security systems, replicating the field of vision of an actual camera lens and allows for a reasonable estimate of the CCTV camera lens focal length required to capture the scene under survelliance.
Suitable when making focal length measurements relating to four different CCTV camera sensor sizes, these being 1/4", 1/3", 2/3" and 1"
This is a handheld accessory, you do NOT attach it to a camera but instead use the good ol' human eye (and mine is now very old!) Back in the old days of film making you could often see the Director examining scenes with a device similar to this held up to his eye.
Simple to operate, the viewfinder has a centre rotating ring and once you have captured the scene you wish to 'monitor', read off the appropriate focal length measurement on the scale which relates to your CCTV camera sensor size.
COMPUTAR - Focal Length Finder
Made in Japan
Intended to be used in conjunction with CCTV camera sensors
Handheld - it is not possible nor intended to be mounted onto a camera
Model: Unsure (and I cannot remember) - there is nothing marked on the body or the carry pouch. Computar also released a VM300 but this had a slightly different scale layout.
Complete with a stiff (highly protective) leather pouch which even still has the little bag of gel crystals to "soak up" any wetness in the air due to humidity, greatly reducing the chances of lens 'fogging'. This pouch has two 'strap rings' for attaching to a waist belt if desired.
The original carry strap is attached and supplied with this viewfinder
One thing is possibly missing, (or perhaps we never had one?) and that is the front lens cap or cover.
DIMENSIONS:
110mm length x 50mm diameter
WEIGHT: 225g
COSMETIC CONDITION:
USED
CLEAN (Body & Lens system)
The front side lens has a 'frosted' rectangular window through which you view the scene, it just helps visualise what your camera would also 'see'
I looked very closely for any signs of spotting, fogging and surface scratching - I can see none at all.
Movement of the adjustment ring was smooth and reliable
The rubber 'eye cap' is soft, not brittle or cracked. Nice resting place for your eye!
I did notice however that some of the scale markings had PARTIALLY rubbed off (White print direct to the view finder body) but I can still easily make out what they are telling me. This is not a serious problem but it is not pristine either.
The leather pouch is completely sound, with no stitching falling apart and the two press stud buttons work fine too.
Now that I have completed my checking of the condition and writing up the description, this focal view finder (in the pouch) has been placed into a sealed clear plastic packet, waiting for a new owner to make use of.
