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Post by bushpig on Jul 17, 2010 8:27:53 GMT -5
Hey, people. Sorry my first post has to be me asking for help instead of providing something of value to the board, but I have a camera that needs to be used.
I recently bought a Minolta Hi-Matic 9. It's my first rangefinder and I was excited to use it. However, my classic camera buying luck finally ran out and I got a camera that wasn't immediately usable.
I'm pretty sure the only thing wrong with it is the shutter sticks. I've only managed to get it open a couple times, but it immediately went back to sticking closed.
I'd like to take the darn lens apart to get to the shutter to clean it, but I've never taken apart a camera before (never had to) and I don't wanna completely destroy it when I'm so excited to go out shooting with it.
Here's my question (finally!): Is there anyone here who can give me simple, yet VERY detailed instructions on how to take the lens apart? I can find sites with basic info, but they all seem to assume you're somewhat experienced at repair. I don't know if I need a spanner or not (can I get away with using tiny screwdrivers)? I don't know how to even get started! Do I need to unscrew something? Pry something?
Any help will be greatly appreciated.
Thank you, and I look forward to being a more active member of this forum.
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mickeyobe
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Post by mickeyobe on Jul 17, 2010 13:47:11 GMT -5
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Post by julio1fer on Jul 17, 2010 20:55:56 GMT -5
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Post by herron on Jul 18, 2010 0:19:34 GMT -5
I'd like to take the darn lens apart to get to the shutter to clean it, but I've never taken apart a camera before (never had to) and I don't wanna completely destroy it when I'm so excited to go out shooting with it. Here's my question (finally!): Is there anyone here who can give me simple, yet VERY detailed instructions on how to take the lens apart? I can find sites with basic info, but they all seem to assume you're somewhat experienced at repair. I don't know if I need a spanner or not (can I get away with using tiny screwdrivers)? I don't know how to even get started! Do I need to unscrew something? Pry something? Any help will be greatly appreciated. Thank you, and I look forward to being a more active member of this forum. Welcome! As you can see, you've got a couple of leads already. I'd just like to comment on your "spanner" comment. IMHO ... yes, a spanner is a good investment. It helps immensely in getting off a lot of those pesky lens rings, which is usually the first step in disassembly. Beyond that, you can pretty much work with a good set of jeweler's screwdrivers and needle-nose pliers. You can get a lot of neat restoration supplies, equipment and tools at Micro-Tools.
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mickeyobe
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Post by mickeyobe on Jul 18, 2010 0:57:19 GMT -5
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Mark Vaughan
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I STILL have a pile of Nikons. Considering starting a collection of Ricoh SLRs and RFs.
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Post by Mark Vaughan on Jul 20, 2010 9:18:03 GMT -5
Welcome Bushpig. You're in good hands. I have a HiMatic 7s and love it.
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Post by bushpig on Jul 23, 2010 3:02:52 GMT -5
Thank you all very much. This is a good amount of info and will surely help me out. I'm a bit broke right now, so I have to wait till I have some extra money to pick up some tools, but all of the assistance you guys provided will help tremendously.
Also, I hope to soon start posting regularly.
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Post by julio1fer on Jul 23, 2010 19:48:35 GMT -5
I use a cheapo substitute for a spanner. Get a short length of a large (1 mm or more) diameter electrical copper wire. Peel off a bit of plastic in each end, and cut next to the stripped copper ends with standard pliers. The ends get a wedge shape.
If you twist the wire so that the wedges are in the right position, and make it into an U-shape it works quite well as a makeshift spanner.
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mickeyobe
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Post by mickeyobe on Jul 29, 2010 18:06:40 GMT -5
My brutal, cheapo version of a spanner. Commonly called a vice grip. $9.95 plus tax. The vice grips come in smaller and even larger sizes. I have never needed larger though. This one will, unlike most spanners, fit a wide assortment of sizes from the very smallest to 50mm. It is infinitely adjustable and the most minute adjustments are easily and accurately made. I glued some strips of rubber inner tube, using Lepage Pres-tite Contact Cement, to the jaws to prevent marring and slipping. In the photo it quickly removed a tightly frozen front element from an old No.3 Kodak Supermatic lens/shutter. Mickey
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Post by John Parry on Jul 30, 2010 13:54:45 GMT -5
Two nations separated by a common language - Ha! Mickey - your vice grip is a mole wrench!
Regards - John
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mickeyobe
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Post by mickeyobe on Jul 30, 2010 14:55:03 GMT -5
Two nations separated by a common language - Ha! Mickey - your vice grip is a mole wrench! Regards - John Yes John, "Mole" is stamped on the other side. I thought it was either the model name or notice that that is where a little dark bump had been surgically removed. There is so much to learn at this site. But why "Mole"? It is not for digging. Mickey
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PeterW
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Post by PeterW on Jul 30, 2010 15:52:38 GMT -5
Mickey:
Mole wrenches were invented by a Scotsman, Thomas Coughtrie, managing director of the company that made them, Mole Molynx in Newport in Gwent. (facts from answerbank.co.uk)
I don't think the factory exists any more. When the patent expired the market was flooded by cheap copies made in the far east and called just "self-gripping wrenches" - commonly, and rather rudely, dubbed "cheap self-gripping wenches".
PeterW
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mickeyobe
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Post by mickeyobe on Jul 30, 2010 17:54:15 GMT -5
PeterW,
The one I have was certainly cheap when one considers how versatile it is - from camera repairs to bicycle maintenance to plumbing to cracking walnuts.
It is stamped "SELF-GRIP WRENCH NEWPORT MON(I am not sure about the "N" it might be MOAL or something else.) GT. BRITAIN
It was cheap but has been working for me without complaint for about ten years.
Mickey
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daveh
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Post by daveh on Aug 4, 2010 18:31:22 GMT -5
"Newport Mon" is Newport, Monmouthshire, South Wales.
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mickeyobe
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Post by mickeyobe on Aug 5, 2010 5:22:47 GMT -5
Thank you, Dave,
I shoulda known.
Mickey
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