brichma
Contributing Member
Posts: 16
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Post by brichma on Sept 10, 2011 13:08:10 GMT -5
Hi there, In search of a 'working' Retina Automatic III I've bought myself a clean and clear copy on the Bay. Even the lightmeter is responding to light and the rangefinder seems accurate. But elas, the aperture will not close, although the ring moves very smoothly. Could this be a classical case of oiled and sticky aperture blades or might it be a common Retina Automatic problem? Please share your experiences with me! Camera on: cees.geldersnetwerk.nl/Cameras.html at the bottom... Regards, Brichma "Time flies, and I? ...I fly along..." Kodak Retina IIIc - Kodak Retina Automatic III - Kodak Retinette Ib/Wata Combimeter - Voigtlaender Vitomatic IIIB - Voigtlaender Vito CLR - Olympus-35 ECR - Canonet QL17 GIII - Minolta Hi-Matic9 - Yashica Electro 35 GSN - Petri 7 S |
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mickeyobe
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Post by mickeyobe on Sept 10, 2011 14:57:39 GMT -5
Brichma.
Try removing the front lens element and putting a drop or two of lighter fluid in the opening for the shutter blades or on the blades themselves if they are visible.
Then try actuating the shutter numerous times.
You might get lucky.
Mickey
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brichma
Contributing Member
Posts: 16
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Post by brichma on Sept 11, 2011 14:47:33 GMT -5
Thank you, Micky!
The lady isn't ill, she is just old...
So far I've warmed up the rear lens-element with a little halogen light and with a modest tap on the camera housing the aperture came loose. So this proved the aperture blades were stucked by oil or hardend fat. When I swing out fully and release the rapid wind lever, the aperture opens to maximum (f:2,8, take in mind it's an automatic), but than stucks again, probably in accumulated dirt over the years round that position.
These are my actions till now. Releasing the rear lens-element by myself, I think it's a tricky thing... Any advise?
Regards, Brichma
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mickeyobe
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Post by mickeyobe on Sept 11, 2011 15:09:42 GMT -5
"Any advise?"
The lighter fluid treatment might wash away the dirt.
Mickey
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Post by barbarian on Nov 13, 2011 12:50:24 GMT -5
I thought the lighter fluid idea was a joke when I first heard it. But then, I did it out of desperation on a Diacord and it quickly restored all function.
Worth a shot.
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mickeyobe
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Post by mickeyobe on Nov 13, 2011 17:22:17 GMT -5
What!
Me joke!
Mickey
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daveh
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Post by daveh on Nov 13, 2011 19:47:12 GMT -5
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Post by Peltigera on Nov 14, 2011 13:15:49 GMT -5
A very timely thread! I recently (last week) bought a Voigtlander Bessamatic. Worked fine for the first eight frames of the first film - and then this afternoon it stuck. Having been inside a Compur shutter before, I wasn't about to make that mistake again. I was thinking in terms of binning the camera when I read this thread. Tried the lighter fluid about 30 minutes ago. Did nothing until I wiggled the little lever inside the lens housing and (so far) it is fine. Just hope it is still fine when the lighter fluid dries off.
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mickeyobe
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Post by mickeyobe on Nov 14, 2011 14:54:31 GMT -5
Just hope it is still fine when the lighter fluid dries off. You may find that it takes several applications to bring it back to a state of good health. Mickey |
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Post by Peltigera on Nov 15, 2011 13:08:36 GMT -5
24 hours later it seems just fine. Shall try dry running it a bit longer before attempting another film.
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Post by Peltigera on Jan 19, 2012 10:52:19 GMT -5
My Bessamatic shutter is working perfectly - so the lighter fuel trick is a good one. Unfortunately, I now know (having had a film developed) that the camera is leaking light from three different places. Only the centre of each picture has any image present. And the camera is only 53 years old. Virtually new.
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mickeyobe
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Post by mickeyobe on Jan 19, 2012 15:36:59 GMT -5
My favourite 'finger in the d**e' is Plasti Dip. It dries opaque, non sticky and flexible. It may even be diluted if necessary. It can probably be found at your local hardware store.
It's a good thing I am not a trained camera repairman or I probably wouldn't try all these goofy 'cures'.
Mickey
P.S.
I see our resident illiterate censor is hard at work. What the H--- is wrong with d-i-k-e? Holland would be in severe trouble without them.
@^%)(#?!!! So there. ;D
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Post by keith201 on Mar 20, 2012 20:03:12 GMT -5
I have a Braun Super Paxette, S/N 258435, the one with the coupled rangefinder, Prontor SVS shutter and interchangeable lenses. THe shutter is stuck solid, the film advance mechanism is locked up too. Has anyone any ideas?
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Post by keith201 on Jun 10, 2012 0:21:27 GMT -5
I managed to release the shutter, the film advance eventually moved a little bit further and the shutter released. I don't know what was sticking the film advance, I just tried it again some time later and without forcing anything, it moved freely.
So, all's well, the camera is fine again.
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Doug T.
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Post by Doug T. on Jun 10, 2012 9:41:20 GMT -5
Hi Keith!
It sounds almost as though a little piece of film was stuck in the advance.
Those little pieces connecting the sprocket holes break off and get in the most impossible places.
Care to post a photo of your camera?
Doug
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