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Waynemel
Tinkerer
Username: Waynemel
Post Number: 6
Registered: 08-2009
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, September 02, 2009 - 06:05 pm: | 
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I recently acquired a Retina Reflex IV in very good condition. The only problem is that I cannot see the reflected image of the aperture and shutter speed in the viewfinder. I suspect that a mirror or something has shifted. Are there any pitfalls to removing the top of this camera?
Also, I am not familiar with vintage Kodaks. Is this camera reliable (ie. a user) or more of a display item. Is it worth much? |
Mikel
Tinkerer
Username: Mikel
Post Number: 158
Registered: 07-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, September 02, 2009 - 07:11 pm: |
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Yes, it's probably a mirror or prism (can't remember which) fallen out of place and ready to cause the next problem.
Is the camera reliable? Yes, after a complete overhaul. It's like most of the other leaf shutter SLR's: Bessamatics, Contaflexes, Kowas, Topcons, etc.
The last thing a repairman wants to see come in the door. Can you fix it? Patience and persistence conquers all. It's not what I would recommend as an early repair experience.
If you paid to have it professionally repaired, it would be worth less than the cost of repair.
But if you regard it as a hobby, it could be an interesting experience. |
Jon_goodman
Tinkerer
Username: Jon_goodman
Post Number: 39
Registered: 05-2007
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, September 02, 2009 - 08:50 pm: |
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It is a mirror that has become de-cemented as I recall. You probably can hear it rattling around in there if it has totally become loose, but it may be hanging by a thread and just shifted. I worked on these but quit about 5 or 6 years ago and sold all the parts I had to Mr. Chris Sherlock. Nice camera. A bit over-engineered, but fun to use and sharp.
Good luck.
Jon |
Jeongyun
Tinkerer
Username: Jeongyun
Post Number: 3
Registered: 04-2009
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, September 03, 2009 - 07:58 am: |
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Did you cock the shutter? |
Waynemel
Tinkerer
Username: Waynemel
Post Number: 7
Registered: 08-2009
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, September 03, 2009 - 05:16 pm: |
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Yes. Everything seems to be working fine except for the little reflection that is supposed to be visible in the viewfinder. |
Waynemel
Tinkerer
Username: Waynemel
Post Number: 16
Registered: 08-2009
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, September 29, 2009 - 03:04 pm: |
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OK. I have taken the top off of the Reflex - no problem.
I have 2 loose mirrors and only one obvious place where one may have originated. The mirrors are identical. I can see no glue residue where the second mirror may have been mounted, but there appears to be some glue on the back of one of the mirrors. I will try to attach some photos in hopes that it will jog someones memory.
Help please!   |
Rainbowgoldfox
Tinkerer
Username: Rainbowgoldfox
Post Number: 1
Registered: 10-2009
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, October 01, 2009 - 05:57 am: |
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I also have the problem of jammed shutter for my Retina IV, I unscrewed all stuffs on the top cover, but there was something still locked the cover on the right side near the light sensor that made it cannot be removed. Top cover may be hanging up on the film speed lock. I saw there Waynemel can remove top cover. Can Waynemel or somebody tell me how to remove the cover? |
Waynemel
Tinkerer
Username: Waynemel
Post Number: 17
Registered: 08-2009
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, October 01, 2009 - 06:07 am: |
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Have you removed the small button below the film speed indicator that is used to adjust the film speed? It should unscrew easily with a pencil erasor.
If you are able to remove the top, can you have a look for the small mirrors so I know where to glue mine back in place? |
Rainbowgoldfox
Tinkerer
Username: Rainbowgoldfox
Post Number: 2
Registered: 10-2009
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, October 01, 2009 - 07:38 am: |
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I have successfully opened the top cover. Thanks Waynemel! I think your mystery mirror should be put in the place marked red.  |
Waynemel
Tinkerer
Username: Waynemel
Post Number: 18
Registered: 08-2009
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, October 01, 2009 - 07:55 am: |
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Thats great! Thanks.
I think I have that mirror in place already, but I still have an extra. I will have to have a look at my camera later (when I'm at home).
I found the two mirrors loose, in between the metal bracket that holds the pentaprism and the pentaprism itself. |
Rainbowgoldfox
Tinkerer
Username: Rainbowgoldfox
Post Number: 3
Registered: 10-2009
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, October 01, 2009 - 08:45 am: |
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OK! I am still struggling on find out the problem of jammed shutter. I think I should need more technical notes on this camera.
If you need help for the place of your mystery mirror when you back to home, just let me know! |
Waynemel
Tinkerer
Username: Waynemel
Post Number: 19
Registered: 08-2009
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, October 01, 2009 - 05:21 pm: |
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I have looked at my camera, and I have the mirror in place that is in your photo (the bottom of the front periscope). I also have the mirror at the top of the front periscope and the two mirrors at the bottom and top of the rear periscope (see my photos). The fifth mirror is a mystery. Can you see if it is mounted to the front of the pentaprism? Is it mounted anywhere else in the general area (the meter window area perhaps)?
As far as your stuck shutter, if it is closed you can try flushing it with lighter fluid. If it is "cocked" it may spring back to life. |
Rainbowgoldfox
Tinkerer
Username: Rainbowgoldfox
Post Number: 4
Registered: 10-2009
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, October 01, 2009 - 09:04 pm: |
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I will try to take a look when I am back to home.
I have a trouble after opening the top cover and take off the light sensor. I advanced the film lever, but it was stuck and not going back again. I think I was doing something wrong. |
Rainbowgoldfox
Tinkerer
Username: Rainbowgoldfox
Post Number: 5
Registered: 10-2009
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, October 03, 2009 - 07:53 am: |
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Waynemel,I also found four mirrors as you described. There is no fifth mirror. I think that should be an extra mirror left when manufacturing or in last repairing. |
Waynemel
Tinkerer
Username: Waynemel
Post Number: 20
Registered: 08-2009
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, October 03, 2009 - 01:05 pm: |
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That is odd.
Thanks for your help.
Good luck with the stuck shutter. |
Waynemel
Tinkerer
Username: Waynemel
Post Number: 21
Registered: 08-2009
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, October 03, 2009 - 04:43 pm: |
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I have replaced the four mirrors and left the "extra" one out. When I replace the top without the pentaprism, I can see numbers (although I can only see the shutter speed - I should be able to see the aperture setting as well).
When I put the pentaprism in place, the numbers are not as clear, and appear upside down!
Does ANYONE have ANY idea what the configuration of the mirrors is supposed to be? |
Waynemel
Tinkerer
Username: Waynemel
Post Number: 22
Registered: 08-2009
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, October 05, 2009 - 06:58 pm: |
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Just to finish off this long string - I have replaced and VERY carefully aligned the loose mirrors. Now I can see both numbers clearly. Any misalignment of these tiny mirrors results in only partially visible numbers. They may have been appearing upside down due to a reflection off of the pentaprism.
The "mystery" mirror appears simply to be an extra - left in by accident at the factory. It was probably stuck to the back of one of the others. I hope whomever assembled this camera didn't change careers and become a surgeon.
Anyway, if anyone is missing one of these tiny mirrors, I have an extra. |
Rainbowgoldfox
Tinkerer
Username: Rainbowgoldfox
Post Number: 6
Registered: 10-2009
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, October 05, 2009 - 07:00 pm: |
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I finally loosed the rack and gear in front of the prism that made the shutter close again. I think that is the place make the shutter keep opening. But I get another problem. I do not know why the film advance lever still blocked even I release the film counter to zero. I try open the bottom plate by removing the advance lever. I pry-out the leather and unscrewed two screws, but the lever still stay firm. How can I remove the film advance lever? |
