Konica Auto S2 repair?

[Michael Fraley]

I've got a nice Konica Auto S2. The meter is good, lens, body, everything. Only a couple of issues -- the viewfinder is grungy and the shutter speed ring is stiff. Any suggestions for a repair person?

thanks,
Michael

[scott]

Hi,

I repaired a Konia S2 a few years ago, and I have another on the repair shelf that needs an overhaul. So I can offer a few general tips.

These are built very similar to the other better-quality RFs of the early to mid-60s, such as the Yashicas, Ricohs, Canonets...etc. But I found the Konica S2 to be considerably easier to repair than many, especially the later Canonets. One reason may be that they are slightly larger.

The top cover is not difficult to remove. Than you can clean the glass from the inside. But try not to touch the so-called half-silvered mirror.

The stiff shutter-speed ring-- to remedy that you'll have to partially dismantle the shutter assembly from the front. First step is to remove the front lens elements, which should come out as a single unit, as I recall. There may not be spanner slots, you might have to improvise a rubber friction tool. Might be a thin metal ring to remove first.

With the lens out, you can see the notched and threaded brass ring that holds the steel shutter-speed-selecting ring on the shutter. The position of that brass ring determines how much "play" or friction the ring has. Maybe adjusting the position of the brass ring by unscrewing it a notch or to will fix your problem. I would advise against putting any oil anywhere. If you actuallly take off the steel shutter ring, there are some friction points on the bottom where I would put a very thin smear of silicone grease.

As cameras go, this is a fairly easy one to fix and get back together.

Here's a few links:

www.kyphoto.com/classics/konicaautos.html
(the S1.6 is bulit the same as the S2 --only a faster lens)

www.kyphoto.com/cgi-bin/forum/search.cgi

www.mattdentonphoto.com/cameras/konica_autos2.html