Refurbishing B&L Stereozoom 7

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ClassMSpecie
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Refurbishing B&L Stereozoom 7

#1 Post by ClassMSpecie » Wed Jan 12, 2022 10:04 pm

Howdy,

After hearing good things about the BL Stereozoom 7 model, I bought a few "for parts or not tested" items from ebay, so I could (in theory) build a "working" one by swapping out bad parts. I have swapped out damaged bottom lenses with clean ones to realize that one eyepiece cannot come to focus by a long shot at 70x magnification. Interestingly, it is fine up to 20x. Just by looking at the replaced bottom lenses, they look identical. I have also replicated the same issue on a fully functional SZ7. I am guessing that the pair of lenses in question are actually from two different era with different designs. Anyone have any luck replacing just one of the bottom lenses on a SZ7?

Thank you,

ClassMSpecie

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josmann
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Re: Refurbishing B&L Stereozoom 7

#2 Post by josmann » Wed Jan 12, 2022 10:49 pm

I just picked up a B&L SZ5 and I also noticed that the focus gets a little odd at higher magnifications sometimes. I don't know anything about steroscopes either but maybe that means they're just a little finnicky at higher mags? Hopefully someone else can chime in with some helpful knowledge and/or resources!
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BramHuntingNematodes
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Re: Refurbishing B&L Stereozoom 7

#3 Post by BramHuntingNematodes » Thu Jan 13, 2022 12:42 am

That bottom plastic yoke has a few set screws that can adjust those.lnses dramatically. Have you played around with those at all? Be careful though, you have to loosen one to tighten the other or the plastic will break.
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Scarodactyl
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Re: Refurbishing B&L Stereozoom 7

#4 Post by Scarodactyl » Thu Jan 13, 2022 1:07 am

There is an extensive service manual available somewhere online. Things are quite adjustable, much more so than in stereos today. That said while I have done it a few times now, and occasionally with successful results, I found working on sz7s kind of unrewarding oveeall. There are a lot of potential adjustments to get just right and the finer adjustments are a real pain to do, and it's really not that expensive to find one that's already in good condition.

ClassMSpecie
Posts: 29
Joined: Sat Nov 06, 2021 3:25 am

An

#5 Post by ClassMSpecie » Thu Jan 13, 2022 8:21 am

I have yet to make adjustments to the plastic piece. There are actually two lenses (4 elements-2x cemented) on top and bottom of the plastic housing. Can I make adjustment to both lenses or just the most bottom one? So does this mean that it is safe to assume that SZ7 lenses are pretty much interchangeable from different periods? I have noted that a more recent version has slits introduced on the lens housing to get the lenses out easier. If I were to do it again, I'll probably buy a fully functional one though I got these "for parts" units at bargain prices. I'll be on the look out for the service manual.

Thank you for your reply.

ClassMSpecie

Sliding Focus
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Re: Refurbishing B&L Stereozoom 7

#6 Post by Sliding Focus » Mon Jan 17, 2022 10:55 pm

In case you haven't found it yet, here's a link to the service manual: http://doclibrary.com/MSC167/DOC/Leica- ... al2520.pdf.

ClassMSpecie
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Re: Refurbishing B&L Stereozoom 7

#7 Post by ClassMSpecie » Sat Mar 26, 2022 6:49 am

Thank you very much. Just saw this.

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