There are four soft brass screws painted black, two on each side of the
hood. If you remove them, the focusing hood lifts off holding the
focusing screen captive.
The mirror is held by a couple of metal tabs on the top and one on the
bottom. Usually you can just loosen the screws holding the tabs, swing
them out of the way and lift the mirror out.
What you need is a suitably sized front surface mirror. Replacements
are available for about $20 from "redleica2" on ebay, or you can cut
your own from front surface mirror stock. (Edmunds, old Polaroid
cameras, etc)
You have to check focus after you replace the mirror. If the thickness
of the replacement is even slightly different, you have to adjust the
viewfinder lens by unlocking it and rotating it on its helical. I think
on most Automats, that means pulling off the front cover as well. I'm
not saying you will have to do this, but you might. Things get a little
more involved from here but its not that difficult.
I did a complete restoration on my Automat II this winter. Its a great
camera, something a little different with its uncoated Tessar than using
my 2.8E.
http://www3.sympatico.ca/mskovacs/pv/Rolleiflex/PrewarAutomat1.jpg
In both my Automats, the mirrors are beginning to rust. What might cause, and is this inevitable? How easy are they to change? Are they "front-silvered?"
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