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Message |
    
Ameliezapf
Tinkerer
Username: Ameliezapf
Post Number: 8
Registered: 01-2011
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, September 17, 2012 - 01:52 pm: | 
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Hi all,
a friend gave me an old Exakta Varex IIb that unfortunately has a broken shutter. The shutter curtains appear to be fine, no pinholes or anything. The problems lie elsewhere:
1) the smaller L-to-R (closing) curtain doesn't wind (or unwind) fully, thus freeing only part of the film window. It needs to be properly tensioned in order to work.
2) The RH side slow-speed dial and/or its mechanism are jammed. The dial cannot be wound and I can only select the self-timer settings 6, 4, 3 and 2 seconds. The dial does not move beyond that point. So I'd need a pointer to instructions how to overhaul the slow-speed gear train.
I've read that the Exakta is relatively easy to work on, so I'm hopeful I can accomplish this.
Kind regards,
Amy |
Rick_oleson
Tinkerer
Username: Rick_oleson
Post Number: 1241
Registered: 07-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, September 17, 2012 - 10:03 pm: |
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Hi Amy: I have notes on disassembly and shutter service of the Exakta IIa and IIb - they may or may not cover what you need, but they'll at least get you started. Drop me a note at [email protected] and I'll send you a copy. |
Ameliezapf
Tinkerer
Username: Ameliezapf
Post Number: 9
Registered: 01-2011
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, September 18, 2012 - 02:05 am: |
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Update:
after an hour of tinkering and exploring the mechanism, I'm a bit further: the closing curtain travels properly now. Also, I managed to free up the slow-speed escapement. It runs now, but the excentric discs underneath the slow-speed knob that govern the action of the slow-speed gear train seem to be upset, so the escapement does not perform the actions that are indicated by what the dial is set to.
Also, something is amiss in the gear train between the rapid-wind lever and the winder proper (fast-speed dial). But I guess this will be a minor affair.
Kind regards,
Amy |
Ameliezapf
Tinkerer
Username: Ameliezapf
Post Number: 10
Registered: 01-2011
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, September 18, 2012 - 01:12 pm: |
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Done! With a little help by Rick Oleson, everything's working. The only thing is: the slow speeds are too slow. I read in the original repair manual that they should be adjusted by bending a part on the transmission rod. Does anybody have any experience with something like this?
Kind regards,
Amy |
Ameliezapf
Tinkerer
Username: Ameliezapf
Post Number: 11
Registered: 01-2011
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, September 22, 2012 - 10:01 am: |
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Hi everybody,
well, it turned out the frame counter didn't advance (yes, the spring-like pawl is still there). In order to make everything fit together, it would be hugely beneficial if anyone had a photograph of the relative positions of the rings on the rapid-wind post in either the cocked or the unwound position.
Can anybody help me out?
Kind regards,
Amy |
Prasanna
Tinkerer
Username: Prasanna
Post Number: 74
Registered: 10-2009
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, September 23, 2012 - 07:56 am: |
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The frame counter is a problem with many Exaktas in the VX series. One could spend hours on end setting it right. It will work for a few turns and then be back with the same problem. Check with Miles Upton's manual of repair. I would leave it as it is and simply count the number of frames mentally or mark them on a sheet of paper attached to the camera. If you are using B&W film and processing at home then you can use the knife to cut the film after exposing 10 to 15 frames as is convenient. The VX series permit a number of such manouvres [short cuts] to suit one's own convenience or fancy. |
