Fixed a couple bodies tonight...

[John_Nikon_F]

Had a couple bodies that needed attention.

Patient #1 was my FM2n. Let my sister use it, and, since I'd been using the motor drive, she didn't realize that she needed to use the firing button on the MD-12. Instead, she tried to fire the shutter with the normal shutter release. Wouldn't work. So, she starts advancing the film. Apparently, at that point, the double exposure prevention cam bent out of the way and allowed her to advance a frame without firing it. Took the baseplate off, and bent the cam upward, so it would positively engage the notch on the motor drive advance shaft assembly. Seems to work fine now.

Patient #2 was the Pentax SV. Ever since I got the camera, the shutter speeds had been erratic, especially in the slow speeds, since the curtain sometimes wouldn't close after exposure. Took the baseplate off, and adjusted the tensioning screws until the shutter fired reliably at all speeds. Now just needs to go in and get refoamed, since the light seals (or what's left of them) look original. 46 years old original, to be exact.

-J

 

[Ralph Javins]

Good morning, John;

Nicely done.

Doug still has the Minolta Hi-Matic 11 Circuit 3 range finder camera in the shop. He is reluctantly doing some work on it, but he balked at a full CLA. He has stated that he will not take on any more of these for anyone else. I am wondering about approaching him with the other Minolta Hi-Matics.

I did get into the Zorki 4 with the very slow second curtain, but it is not yet done. I have not yet started on the Zorki 4K. One of my argus C3 cameras also needs some attention with its shutter cocking lever.

A little while back a fellow offered to sell a very nice lens which also has a stuck aperture. We briefly discussed the topic of a price, but he has not yet come back with a number for me. I already have that lens in stock, so it will be just another one, but I thought it would be fun to do another aperture. Then there are several other much more common lenses with the same problem around here. Oiled apertures do seem to happen.

 

[John_Nikon_F]

Good Morning, Ralph...

My thought is to maybe talk to Scott Crisman @ Northwest Camera Repair. He may be more willing to deal with it. I know Doug won't be happy, but I dropped the F3P off with Scott to have it overhauled. May do the same with the black FM2n, since I'm getting a little less enthused with Doug as things progress. Don't get me wrong, he's a great guy, but, I'm a little tired of his smarta$$ed attitude that sometimes comes out.

Case in point, I had a 50/1.4 Nikkor AI with a slightly out-of-round focusing ring. Got stiff around three feet or so. His response was for me to live with it and "get over it". I did. Sold the lens to Kenmore as a trade toward a 55/3.5 AI, then went downtown and bought a much nicer 50/1.4 AI. Spent more than I needed to, since it would've likely been a $70 repair on the lens I had.

In comparison, Scott has always been nice to do business with. If he was closer, I'd be more likely to frequent his shop regularly than to frequent Doug's shop. Probably will still use Doug as a parts source for stuff that Scott doesn't have, but I think a lot of my business will be going north.

-J