Faulty rangefinders

[truls]

I got 3 rangefinder cameras, Fujica 35 Auto-M, Canon Canonet and Yashica Minimatic C. The shutter seems to fire but the aperture do not open. Everything else seems to work, light metering, automatic exposure and so on. Could the aperture be some sort of stuck?

[mickeyobe]

truls,

First try lighter fluid.

If that doesn't work bring out the heavy armament.

Mickey

[pompiere]

It is pretty common for old leaf shutter cameras to get oil migrating onto the leaves from the other moving parts, which then makes them stick together. The shutter leaves must be clean and dry. Lighter fluid will dissolve the old oil, but then you must remove any leftover residue. If you get it working, check it again after a few days. I have a Minolta Hi-Matic that is sluggish for a shot or two when it has been sitting for a month or so. As long as I fire it a couple times before I load film, it is okay.

[truls]

Thanks for the advice. I will try to clean up and see if it gets better. Here are the cameras, they do not seem to have been used much.

[truls]

Thanks mickeyobe and pompiere, I got Canon Canonet up and running. Take apart the back lens element, and clean with alcohol, both shutter and aperture works as new. Big thanks!

Like "new" camera: