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Kitedan
Tinkerer
Username: Kitedan
Post Number: 1
Registered: 11-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, November 27, 2006 - 08:59 am: | 
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Does anyone have any experience with un-sticking shutter speed / aperture rings on rangefinders?
In particular the shutter speed ring on my Hi-matic 7s is stiff and I need to free it - I am told Ronsonol will do the trick but does this mean dismantling the lens?
Thanks
Dan |
Wernerjb
Tinkerer
Username: Wernerjb
Post Number: 50
Registered: 07-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, November 30, 2006 - 02:48 pm: |
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The (old, reliable, sturdy) Hi-Matics are sometimes a bit odd, but it is hard to tell what is wrong with yours: freeing aperture AND shutter speed rings, that's different matters!
Ronsonol? Yes AND no, it depends on what the problem is.
My advice is check this forum (or the net) for more info if you are not familiar with this rather complicated sort of camera (Hi-M 7/ 7s/ 9) first, otherwise you repair attempts will produce a mess, the camera is certainly worth the effort. (It will definitely not be easy for a newbie, though), W. |
Kitedan
Tinkerer
Username: Kitedan
Post Number: 3
Registered: 11-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, December 07, 2006 - 11:54 am: |
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It is only the shutter speed ring that is stiff, this extends under the aperture ring so i am wondering if the cause of the stiffness is deeper than just under the surface. |
Wernerjb
Tinkerer
Username: Wernerjb
Post Number: 54
Registered: 07-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, December 08, 2006 - 10:38 am: |
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Hi Kitedan, if you insert a cotton swab moistened with lighter fluid into the EV hole of the aperture ring and then turn that one it should be possible to clean the extension of the shutter speed ring under the aperture ring, and if it is just dirt there that keeps it from moving smoothly your problem will be gone after the cleaning procedure.
But I am afraid your problem is deeper inside the lens barrel. Turning the shutter speed ring means setting the escapement of the shutter. If dirt and grime sit anywhere down there you will have to open up the camera from the front. This includes unscrewing the two-notched ring inside the filter thread, removal of (1)name plate incl. desoldering of wires, (2)ring plus plastic ring around the front lens cell, (3)front part of lens barrel (ASA/DIN ring, (4)speed ring, (5)aperture ring. Underneath there is the black metal top cover of the shutter/selftimer escapements. Taking this one off (five tiny slothead, or, with the newer models, crosshead screws) and even more so putting it back requires more than basic skills. You will have to deal with loose parts defining speed stops and four wires (white, black, yellow, red). Unfortunately very often there is dirt right under this plate causing the speed cam to be stiff. This Japanese repair page about the Hi-M 9 (practically the same as the 7 or 7s) can give you an idea of what you will be faced with:
http://homepage1.nifty.com/fukucame/daisaku/d59.htm |
Kitedan
Tinkerer
Username: Kitedan
Post Number: 4
Registered: 11-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, February 01, 2007 - 06:35 pm: |
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Thanks for the information Wernerjb - very informative
The camera wind mechanism has now jammed and the last film through showed no exposures despite the shutter appearing to fire, so i think it is going to need a more detailed inspection.
Dan |
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