Help, Pentacon 6 Metered Prism Battery door stuck

aRolleiBrujo · Jul 30, 2014

Help,My Pentacon Six Metered Prism Battery door is stuck, does anyone know how to fix this? Thank you everyone!

$metered prism for cameras Pentacon Six_57 by a.rodriguezpix, on Flickr

Dr Croubie · Jul 30, 2014

Define "stuck"?
The cover won't unscrew? Try putting some Zippo fluid or similar around the edge and let it soak into the screwthreads, see if that helps.

aRolleiBrujo · Jul 30, 2014

Dr Croubie said:
Define "stuck"?
The cover won't unscrew? Try putting some Zippo fluid or similar around the edge and let it soak into the screwthreads, see if that helps.

That seems like a good idea, I'll see if that helps! Do you think olive oil is safe to use? xD

Dr Croubie · Jul 30, 2014

I wouldn't recommend olive oil, besides being rather thick, if it seeps into the electronics and doesn't get cleaned properly, it might end up smelling rancid. Lighter fluid is good because it's nice and light and penetrative (baby), and seems to dissolve a lot of grease-like substances rather well. I've cleaned a lot of shutters and focussing helicoids with the stuff. Barring that, there are dedicated 'electronic cleaning solvents' that could also work (but harder to come by and more expensive).

aRolleiBrujo · Jul 30, 2014

Dr Croubie said:
I wouldn't recommend olive oil, besides being rather thick, if it seeps into the electronics and doesn't get cleaned properly, it might end up smelling rancid. Lighter fluid is good because it's nice and light and penetrative (baby), and seems to dissolve a lot of grease-like substances rather well. I've cleaned a lot of shutters and focussing helicoids with the stuff. Barring that, there are dedicated 'electronic cleaning solvents' that could also work (but harder to come by and more expensive).

Dr Croubie, Thank you for the thorough explanation, I will do this immediately! I just pray, that the light meter will work, when I find the Wein battery replacement for it! I assume it is a battery issue, as it, the meter needle, will not move an inch!

Dr Croubie · Jul 30, 2014

If the battery-door is jammed shut, it's quite possible that it's held in there by battery-corrosion, so even if you do get it off it may need a bit more cleaning inside to work. The Kiev prisms are cheap and cheerful at least

aRolleiBrujo · Jul 30, 2014

Dr Croubie said:
If the battery-door is jammed shut, it's quite possible that it's held in there by battery-corrosion, so even if you do get it off it may need a bit more cleaning inside to work. The Kiev prisms are cheap and cheerful at least

I surely hope not, or, I will end up sending it back, and wasting more time not shooting film! Thanks for all the info!

Mustafa Umut Sarac · Jul 30, 2014

What a excellent example of design art ! I used Kiev 88 and its battery contacts - may be made from zinc - always , everydays corrodes. And key is the best way to remove the layer with sharp edge but it can bend the contacts also. Such an excellent design , such a heavy piece and use of lots of materials and such a weak point. I think these parts made never for working but as handsom accessories. When the velvia introduced to the market at early 90s , I used with 80mm regular lens and it was one of my best shots ever. Try velvia with your camera and go to greens , not direct light and WOW . I had a 250mm and it was ultra good , ultra good. Ah !

aRolleiBrujo · Jul 30, 2014

Mustafa Umut Sarac said:
What a excellent example of design art ! I used Kiev 88 and its battery contacts - may be made from zinc - always , everydays corrodes. And key is the best way to remove the layer with sharp edge but it can bend the contacts also. Such an excellent design , such a heavy piece and use of lots of materials and such a weak point. I think these parts made never for working but as handsom accessories. When the velvia introduced to the market at early 90s , I used with 80mm regular lens and it was one of my best shots ever. Try velvia with your camera and go to greens , not direct light and WOW . I had a 250mm and it was ultra good , ultra good. Ah !

Mustafa Umut Sarac, Thank you very much, for he suggestions! I can't wait to try that film, when I get better at film usage! Have a good day, and happy photography!

j-dogg · Jul 30, 2014

Somewhere on eBay are special toolsets designed for removing lens elements that fit in those two holes on the cover; they were drilled for that exact reason.

They are cheap usually.

Mustafa Umut Sarac · Jul 30, 2014

Thank you and best of all luck and never sell your camera

aRolleiBrujo · Jul 30, 2014

Mustafa Umut Sarac said:
Thank you and best of all luck and never sell your camera

I have had an instant love of this camera, since I purchased it, and the fact that I am able to shoot a Zeiss lens again, despite the age, is awesome! I can't wait to give it all a go!

20140429_141141 by a.rodriguezpix, on Flickr

20140429_141433(0) by a.rodriguezpix, on Flickr

Mustafa Umut Sarac · Jul 30, 2014

wow , its the first time I have ever seen such a pentacon , wowww , its great with biometar , go to archive.org and watch sergei eisenstein movie mexica or so. There are the best skull close up shots ever Such a nice camera. And I liked the figurines , 10 years ago , an woman was selling such things in istanbul and it was like they would talk with you I love that side of creativity very much.

First shot good ..

aRolleiBrujo · Jul 30, 2014

Mustafa Umut Sarac said:
wow , its the first time I have ever seen such a pentacon , wowww , its great with biometar , go to archive.org and watch sergei eisenstein movie mexica or so. There are the best skull close up shots ever Such a nice camera. And I liked the figurines , 10 years ago , an woman was selling such things in istanbul and it was like they would talk with you I love that side of creativity very much.

First shot good ..

Mustafa Umut Sarac, Thank you again, for the suggestions! I should have made a note, that I used my cellphone for these photo's, in order to demonstrate this awesome camera!

aRolleiBrujo · Jul 30, 2014

Off to bed I go! Update the Zippo fluid worked Majick! No corrosion thank God so I pray it's an old dead battery! I placed an oder for 2 Wein replacements However I spent a few minutes scouring the house for anything capable of holding a similar battery, with no avail! Well hopefully I'll have luck when I awake! Thanks again all!

Help, Pentacon 6 Metered Prism Battery door stuck

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