Dismantling Vito B

[SalveSlog]

I'm trying to clean a beat up Voigtländer Vito B. It's the one with the EV scale (, so really, things may be a bit too complicated for a beginner like me..)

Still:
I have tried to flush the aperture blades without dismantling further the pictured part. But the aperture won't move smoothly after the solvent evaporates. And the blades don't look clean. So I think I have to dismantle this part totally to be able to clean each blade separately.

I can't figure out how to get to them. Can't get further than the stage in these pictures.

Anybody here have experience with this camera?

 

[choiliefan]

There appears to be a snap ring in pic #3 which when removed should allow further dismantling.

 

[gone]

I've had success w/ 91% alcohol in cases like this. Just plop the whole thing into a coffee cup, fill it w/ the alcohol to cover everything, and leave it set w/ a saucer over it for a day or two). If that doesn't do the trick, it's time to visit the medicine cabinet and look for some nail polish remover. I had to go that route once w/ a Rolleicord's aperture blades that had gotten some oil baked onto them from what I suspect was sitting in a hot car w/ the windows rolled up during the summer. It worked. The alcohol dunk has freed up many an Agfa or Ansco lens that had the dreaded green gunk lock up the focus. You can clean the lens surfaces off easily later, assuming you can get the optics out, and it appears you have already done that.

I wouldn't under any circumstances attempt taking the blades out of your, or any other, shutter. Don't ask me why :{ They are really, really hard to get back together properly unless you have ultra steady hands, excellent eyesight, and a good magnifier. But maybe you have all those things. In any case, the simplest route is generally the best one.

 

[SalveSlog]

choiliefan,
I thought so too and took it out, but the pin that points into my hand in pic #3 and that you see in pic #1, sits on the brass ring under that snap ring, so the brass ring won't come out. Unless that pin can be screwd out from the brass ring. Don't look like that.. think I risk damaging the pin if I try.

 

[SalveSlog]

momus:
"I wouldn't under any circumstances attempt taking the blades out.."

I know, I know. But I seldom give up before all hope is gone.

 

[SalveSlog]

choiliefan was right, once I got that pin screwed out, and took out the snap ring, I could dismantle furter and get to cleaning the blades. These blades were easy to put back. I think, because they are not hinged in each end, but the second hinge is close to the first.

Aperture now moves smoothly!