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Mike_cash
Tinkerer
Username: Mike_cash
Post Number: 1
Registered: 06-2007
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, June 30, 2007 - 03:43 am: | 
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I just picked up a 1956 Yashicaflex A2, a camera for which google yields about 140 results....2 of which are in English. I can read the Japanese pages, but none of them contain what I need to know.
The camera is in beautiful condition, and the last roll shot was on a metal spool (still inside). It has a Citizen MXV shutter, speeds B and 1 through 1/400. Just by eyeball, each seems to be fine or close enough. Aperture is 10 bladed and moves smoothly. The shutter blades operate crisply and the self-timer works.
This thing is cherry except for one problem...which is probably what got it shelved decades ago.
The shutter gives the appearance of being inoperable. That is because at normal shutter pressing speed and pressure it won't fire. It requires a sort of quick sharp rap on the shutter button to get it to go. Naturally, camera shake is an issue, let alone framing a shot.
I can shoot every shot off the self-timer and it will work perfectly fine, I think. But I would love to hear of any suggestions for restoring the release button to normal operation. I have tried sending a little ronsonol down the shaft, but it doesn't seem to make a difference. Since the leatherette is intact and in excellent condition I am hesitant to dig into the innards in search of a cure.
Thanks for any advice. |
Dgillette4
Tinkerer
Username: Dgillette4
Post Number: 54
Registered: 04-2007
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, June 30, 2007 - 09:25 am: |
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Very possibly the linkage just below the front standard has distorted over time from use, It might have to be spread out some to give more stab to the internal body mechanics. To access this you would have to remove leatherette or plastic to access screws underneath. Most likely what with the age of the camera the leatherette would chip and crack. There is also inside the body on the advance side a two point thing that wears or gums up, Which might not be there if you don't have film crank and auto shutter charging. If you are daring and want to take this job on, go slow, and remember the leatherette is going to crack. Let me know how you make out or if you are going to send it away...Don |
Mike_cash
Tinkerer
Username: Mike_cash
Post Number: 2
Registered: 06-2007
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, June 30, 2007 - 03:50 pm: |
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Thanks, Don. The camera doesn't have crank advance or auto charging, so your advice about going in through the front standard seems most applicable.
I'm going to run a couple rolls of film through it using the self-timer workaround to see what sort of results the camera gives before making a decision on surgery. |
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