Contax RX - the dreaded "Mirror Slip" problem, did somebody fixed that?

Yashica · Dec 3, 2023

Hello forum,

i do have a Contax RX into mint condition, the only issue is, the usual mirror slip problem, with this otherwise fine 35mm SLR.
Did somebody here, a member of the forum fixed that successfully ?

Contax mirror slip fix

I wish a calm, peaceful sunday.

Greetings

monopix · Dec 3, 2023

Yes, many times. That's my website you've linked to.

Yashica · Dec 3, 2023

Hey Peter, way cool you're also here onboard. Sadly, i don't know where to get exaktly that dual layer adhaesive, to repair my RX mirror.
I do really enjoy this camera very much.

monopix · Dec 4, 2023

Amazon UK sell it but I don't think Amazon DE does. If you want to email me your address I'll see what it would cost to send you some if you like.

Sharktooth · Dec 4, 2023

Couldn't you heat it up and shift it back in position, let it cool, then apply a bit of nail polish to the edge of the mirror so it also contacts the support plate. The nail polish would act to hold the mirror in place, even if the glue softens, much like the way it prevents screws from unthreading.

Yashica · Dec 4, 2023

I don't own a hair dryer all my life, my hair is delicate, does get damaged when i try to heat it up, seriously. Never use that.
And nail polish....same.. i am not a female, and i don't want to make that "mess" inside my RX, seriously. A dual layer tape from the right size (read: thickness)
would be ideal, not an ordeal. Thing is, i don't know, which size is by absolute means correctly for the RX specific, since all
35mm Contax SLRs do have different mirror thickness.

Don_ih · Dec 4, 2023

Yashica said:
I don't own a hair dryer all my life, my hair is delicate, does get damaged when i try to heat it up, seriously. Never use that.
And nail polish....same.. i am not a female, and i don't want to make that "mess" inside my RX, seriously. A dual layer tape from the right size (read: thickness)
would be ideal, not an ordeal. Thing is, i don't know, which size is by absolute means correctly for the RX specific, since all
35mm Contax SLRs do have different mirror thickness.

I think the adhesive will be the same for all.

You don't own a hair dryer, but getting the mirror off without a source of heat risks breaking the mirror. How do I know? I broke the mirror in my Yashica FX7 trying to get it out. I replaced it with a mirror from an FRII (which I had to grind down a bit to fit, but it was the right thickness, right type). I got lucky with double-sided tape. I happened to have some pieces I'd kept from work - no brand, no identification, nothing - but they were the right thickness. Nothing else I had worked (I tried a few others).

If @monopix can supply you a bit of adhesive, go for it.

You don't need to be female to buy nail polish, by the way. It's just paint.

Yashica · Dec 5, 2023

Don_ih said:
I think the adhesive will be the same for all.

You don't own a hair dryer, but getting the mirror off without a source of heat risks breaking the mirror. How do I know? I broke the mirror in my Yashica FX7 trying to get it out. I replaced it with a mirror from an FRII (which I had to grind down a bit to fit, but it was the right thickness, right type). I got lucky with double-sided tape. I happened to have some pieces I'd kept from work - no brand, no identification, nothing - but they were the right thickness. Nothing else I had worked (I tried a few others).

If @monopix can supply you a bit of adhesive, go for it.

You don't need to be female to buy nail polish, by the way. It's just paint.

Well, nothing bad meant. I am the type of person, which informs itself, before doing something. So my mirror is not being broken, it's still attached to its original mirror carrier, into my RX, just with the usual mirror slip issue, therefore i asked about it here. And about nail polish, well, yes it's just paint, but i've never bought sth like that, all fine. Have a good belated evening.

Don_ih · Dec 5, 2023

Yashica said:
So my mirror is not being broken, it's still attached to its original mirror carrier

My point was heat is required to securely remove the mirror. Just a bit of heat will make it practically fall off.

craigclu · Dec 8, 2023

I've had a few of these over the years and fixed them with a bit of heat and softly repositioning the mirror. Maybe I was just lucky but it was quick and successful. The first time this happened, I sent an RX body to http://nipponphotoclinic.com/services and it was sent back with "mirror box rebuild" charges. I don't recall the exact charges but I remember it being a bit pricey which led to me using the heat method on later episodes.

Yashica · Mar 25, 2024

Update - not repaired yet, but i've figured out, my ST suffers from the same issue..oh my....

jimjm · Mar 25, 2024

My RTSII had the same problem. It didn't take much heat from a hair dryer to soften the glue enough to remove the mirror safely. Most of the glue residue was still on the mirror cage so this was easy to remove with additional heat and a small plastic scraper. Only a small amount remained on the mirror, but this came off easily also. Used a few strips of thin double-backed tape to reattach the mirror and it's held fine for several years now. It probably took about 15 mins to fix, easier than replacing foam seals.

Yashica · Mar 25, 2024

jimjm said:
My RTSII had the same problem. It didn't take much heat from a hair dryer to soften the glue enough to remove the mirror safely. Most of the glue residue was still on the mirror cage so this was easy to remove with additional heat and a small plastic scraper. Only a small amount remained on the mirror, but this came off easily also. Used a few strips of thin double-backed tape to reattach the mirror and it's held fine for several years now. It probably took about 15 mins to fix, easier than replacing foam seals.

I am too shy. If i'd have a spare, i'd give it a try....well, first problem is...i'm in need of a hair dryer.

Patrick Robert James · Mar 25, 2024

My ST had the mirror slip issue. I heated it up then slid it back in place. Gentle pressure. Then I put something on the edge of the mirror to hold it, but I can't remember what it was. Might have been Canada Balsam or nail polish. It has held now for ten years or so.

Yashica · Apr 9, 2024

Yes, i do need a hair dryer. And something to fixate the mirror into position, so it can't slip away again.

Contax RX - the dreaded "Mirror Slip" problem, did somebody fixed that?

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