Anybody here repaired a Konica Pearl IV?

[Oblidor]

Hi

I bought a Konica Pearl IV where the frame indicator will not advance and thus the double exposure lock is not unlocked. The indicator doesn't return to starting position when back is opened. Anybody fixed something like this?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Dan Daniel]

I am not certain if I have worked on this particular camera. But those Japanese folders of that era are not difficult. Most likely there is dirt or corrosion stopping a pawl or such from moving as it should. Just take lots of photos as you work.

I would start by playing with the back switch just below the counter. Drip a little naphtha or your favorite cleaner into that opening and see if it flows to a spot. If this doesn't do it, remove the wind knob and try another drip round (minor small drips, not flooding). If you can get the mechanism to start showing signs of life before you've disassembled much, life will be easier once you get inside.

Then remove top plate- looks like the eyepiece holds the left side down, but there might be a screw inside the spool chamber? Knob and right screw, of course. And then maybe something under the flash shoe- lift the cover gently and slide back.

After that you might be able to clean and see what is going on.

One thing to watch- Japanese cameras of this era sometimes have a strange metal coating used on stamped metal parts and screws. It corrodes to a weird greenish brown color. It can make opening up these cameras horrific. And it can create a fine sandpaper texture on parts that stops things from sliding, etc.

 

[Oblidor]

I am not certain if I have worked on this particular camera. But those Japanese folders of that era are not difficult. Most likely there is dirt or corrosion stopping a pawl or such from moving as it should. Just take lots of photos as you work.

I would start by playing with the back switch just below the counter. Drip a little naphtha or your favorite cleaner into that opening and see if it flows to a spot. If this doesn't do it, remove the wind knob and try another drip round (minor small drips, not flooding). If you can get the mechanism to start showing signs of life before you've disassembled much, life will be easier once you get inside.

Then remove top plate- looks like the eyepiece holds the left side down, but there might be a screw inside the spool chamber? Knob and right screw, of course. And then maybe something under the flash shoe- lift the cover gently and slide back.

After that you might be able to clean and see what is going on.

One thing to watch- Japanese cameras of this era sometimes have a strange metal coating used on stamped metal parts and screws. It corrodes to a weird greenish brown color. It can make opening up these cameras horrific. And it can create a fine sandpaper texture on parts that stops things from sliding, etc.

I found these two photos: Seems to be one screw on each side, the winder, the eye piece and a screw below the cold shoe to open it.


These are the gears. I'm worried they are worn as it doesn't work well. I have reported to the seller that it doesn't work despite the claim it did. Must see if I want to repair this or return it.


That small cog seems to be missing some teeth (not sure if it is by design or not)

 

[Dan Daniel]

That little gear certainly looks chewed to pieces. And even the large one on the wind knob axle might have teeth missing at about 5 o'clock in the photo?

 

[Oblidor]

That little gear certainly looks chewed to pieces. And even the large one on the wind knob axle might have teeth missing at about 5 o'clock in the photo?

After working on mine I see many other issues with that other camera I found pictures of. I first had to use a lot of time trying to figure out how everything was connected as the gears were all out of their proper position. Then a spring managed to slide out of it's seating. I think I struggled 2 hours just to get it back as it was very difficult and it jumped out a couple of times. I finally managed to understand how the bigger gear had to be set. That small gear missing teeth in the picture, had to be adjusted to be in a certain angle to the bigger gear. It has some sort of guide you have to align correctly left-right and forward with the bigger gear and also a separate adjustment screw. It would work, then fail if I opened the back. I finally figured out I needed 3 turns to tighten the spring enough to reset everything when opening the back. Then it all worked. I was actually saying to myself, this is the last try before I give up (at 2:30am) and that was when everything clicked into place The gear in mine is of steel it looks, so perhaps it was replaced from a worn out brass gear? I used about 4 hours to get it fixed. Of course the camera also have a "CLA'd shutter" where somebody probably only has sprayed lighter fluid on the blades/slow gear, so I have to take it apart and clean it all because slow gear is halting and blades sticking.Then calibrating the whole thing. At least that is something I'm familiar with so it will be some hours of Zen marveling at the mechanical engineering of yesterdays.

Must say that the viewfinder was worth the premium price though. I have a Perkeo II and a Bessa I and I recently had to buy a 6x6 and a 6x9 Kontur viewfinder as I see next to nothing with glasses in those tiny viewfinders. The Kontur is an excellent thinking out of the box viewfinder though. https://www.analog.cafe/r/voigtlander-kontur-50mm-external-viewfinder-26tk