Part 2:
Remove the Range finder. It is held in place by flat head screws that can be reached by a small flat bladed screwdriver. There is one rivet that is part of the lever system that must be drilled out. A 6" long 5/16" drill makes it an easy job. Set the RF aside in a safe place.
The now stripped frame of the camera will have a Hobby plywood frame made to take the cut film holder. Two vertical stanchions are made and glued in place along side of the vertical ridges that are case into the housing. The wood is just thick enough to bring the cut film holder frame level with the back of the camera body. It will be obvious to you when you place the wood next to the cast ridges. These stanchions will take all of the forces loading/unloading the cut film holder. Use on a quality epoxy to glue them into place. Screws are not needed. JB Quick 5 minute epoxy is ideal and super strong. Use an acid brush or the like to spread the epoxy on the wood. Use only enough to glue the wood in place. Clamp in place with enough force to hold the wood in place,not ooze out the epoxy. Lever clamps and light close-pin clamps work well. you can take the clamps off in an hour.
As the two stanchions are setting up now is a good time to open up the old lens mounting hole. You can use a high quality Hole saw but a Dremel tool with a sanding drum is just as easy and allows small adjustments as needed. Remember as stated to allow the room for your locking ring. Make sure you can mount the lens without damaging the bellows on the inside. Make sure you have the bellows plate screwed back onto the back of the lens plate. It is steel and cuts easier when attached to the lens plate. When grinding/sanding the hole larger just use easy circular motions. It will take about 30 minutes to do.
The casting is thick enough you could do a surface mount or even thread the hole. The surface of the lens holder is not flat,there are raised portions than need to be ground down. Easy with the Dremel tool.
Once you have the hole enlarged for your lens, do a trial fit. the trip lever will be on the left. Make sure you can move all the lens settings/levers.
You trip lever may or may not be like mine. Fuji and Nikon lenses are very easy to trip,my lens required a dog-leg tripping lever. I had to mount a wood block to allow a pivot point for the tripping lever.
Part 3 to follow
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