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Waynemel
Tinkerer
Username: Waynemel
Post Number: 189
Registered: 08-2009
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, December 26, 2010 - 11:10 am: | 
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Hello, I hope everyone has had a good holiday.
I decided to use some of my down time to clean the shutter on my Contaflex I.
I am now, however, having trouble installing the shutter back in the camera.
I have removed it from the body by removing the retaining ring from inside the film chamber.
It was simple to remove, but now the flash contacts seem to be interfering and not allowing the shutter to sit properly.
In the attached photo, does the contact (the bent piece with the plastic cover) look correct?
How is it supposed to fit with the contact on the body?
The funny thing is that I have installed this shutter before on other Contaflex Is, and I don't recall ever having a problem.
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Connealy
Tinkerer
Username: Connealy
Post Number: 33
Registered: 02-2008
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, December 28, 2010 - 07:40 am: |
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I recall thinking the same thing when working on my Contaflex. In the end, though, I think it was the proper positioning of the little aperture tabs that was the key to getting the thing back together. |
Waynemel
Tinkerer
Username: Waynemel
Post Number: 190
Registered: 08-2009
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, December 28, 2010 - 08:16 am: |
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Thanks Connealy, you are absolutely right!
Once I made sure that the aperture tab was in the right slot, the shutter sat in place perfectly.
I had forgotten that the aperture gear had to be repositioned and then the spring re-wound from inside the film chamber. |
Wonloo
Tinkerer
Username: Wonloo
Post Number: 13
Registered: 07-2010
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, December 28, 2010 - 09:48 am: |
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I have a question for both Wayne and Mike: I have three Contaflex I SLR cameras (long story why I have three) and none of their shutters can be removed by a retention ring from inside the film chamber. The shutter was mounted on the lens board with 6 screws. I cannot re-wound the aperture gear from the film chamber without taking the lens board out. Is there any way you can show a picture of your camera so I can see the difference.
One more question: did you successfully cure the lazy aperture problem? One of mime (9 blades) is always slow no matter what I did (even over-wound it with two more notches) and the others (5 blades) work at their convenience. 
They all work fine with print film but I just want to get them right. Thanks for any help.. |
Dirbel
Tinkerer
Username: Dirbel
Post Number: 45
Registered: 04-2008
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, December 28, 2010 - 10:41 am: |
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The actuation ring for the aperture has to be free from oil or grease, otherwise the spring will not be able move it fast enough no matter how much tension you put on it. And guess how I know...
Dirk |
Wonloo
Tinkerer
Username: Wonloo
Post Number: 14
Registered: 07-2010
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, December 28, 2010 - 11:18 am: |
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I think we both went through the over lubrication phase. Now, unless I can find out from the service manual where with what (if available on hand) to lube, I leave it dry. The shutter, aperture blades and actuation ring have been cleaned many times and are now bone-dry. Still, sometimes, lazy.
By the way, does your Contaflex shutter removable from inside the film camber? |
Waynemel
Tinkerer
Username: Waynemel
Post Number: 191
Registered: 08-2009
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, December 28, 2010 - 02:35 pm: |
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Wonloo, I have attached photos from the film chamber. In the first photo, you can see the outer retaining ring (just inside the 6 screws) that holds the shutter in place. In the second photo you can see the the star wheel that tensions the aperture spring.
As far as the lazy aperture blades are concerned, I have had similar issues. This particular shutter was a little slow, so I removed the actuating ring. This can be seen in my original photo. It is held in place by two screws (one is visible in the photo). When removed, the sliding surfaces can be more thoroughly cleaned. You can also see two long, curved slots that also may need cleaning.
Check to make sure the actuating ring is not bent slightly or interfering with anything else.
Also, the gears on the body of the camera, that cock the shutter and actuate the aperture ring must also snap very quickly when the shutter release is pressed. I remember I had to clean these on more than one Contaflex before they operated properly.
I seem to recall that the retaining ring holding the shutter assembly in place should also not be over-tightened, as this may slow some of the movement.
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Wonloo
Tinkerer
Username: Wonloo
Post Number: 15
Registered: 07-2010
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, December 28, 2010 - 05:47 pm: |
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Wayne,I just check my camera and yours is the same as mime. I must say you are GOOD. The two screws on aperture spring gear are not directly accessible with a screw driver from the film chamber (not easily for sure). I followed the service manual and removed the whole top, prism and lens board. I will try it next time. That will save me a lot of time. Many thanks... |
Waynemel
Tinkerer
Username: Waynemel
Post Number: 192
Registered: 08-2009
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, December 28, 2010 - 06:37 pm: |
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Yes, adjusting the tension can be a bit of a challenge. Use a screwdriver with a thin shaft to minimise the angle.
It can be done, but is tedious. |
