How do I clean, lubricate, and adjust a camera?

[Kino]

^^^Completely this. Very, very much this!

Although TBH, I think JIS crossheads are only used on newer electronic cameras, which I try to avoid as much as possible, so I've never seen any! But I do have a set for repairing Japanese audio equipment, which I used to do a few years ago. And I still have a few 70s/80s Japanese hifi components.

You can tell that the screw drive (the head) is JIS because there is a single dot stamped in between two of the slots.

Well, a JIS screwdriver won't damage a phillips head screw, but that's not true in reverse, so why not buy a good set of JIS screwdrivers?

 

[AgX]

The correct screwdrivers to work on Japanese cameras which are J.I.S. are different from Phillips which can damage the screw heads

The small "Philips" ones made by Wiha fit perfectly.
The term J.I.S. is not even known at Wiha.

 

[AgX]

Well, a JIS screwdriver won't damage a phillips head screw, but that's not true in reverse, so why not buy a good set of JIS screwdrivers?

See above.

 

[Kino]

Phillips screwdrivers are designed to "cam-out" or rotate out of a screw once a certain level of torque is applied. These formed lobes on the tip will strip-out a JIS or cross-point screw head.

Use JIS or cross-point form factor screwdrivers on Japanese screws or deform them.

https://www.motorcycle.com/ask-mo-anything/difference-between-japanese-jis-phillips.html

Wiha makes great screwdrivers and I own a set I use a lot, but I don't use them on my Japanese cameras. If they decline to acknowledge a World standard, that is their business, but it doesn't make the issue go away...

 

[hartacus]

Definitely the proper tools are needed - in addition to the correct screwdrivers, an adjustable spanner is essential. Some of them have different sized pins that can be inserted.

Photograph every step. Note the orientation of parts to each other even though something seems symmetrical - it may not be or it may have a small tab or pin on it. Be aware of the position of a part when the camera is at different settings. Take notes.

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I place all related items in dedicated sealable bags, then everything goes into nice little boxes.

This. I believe Tomosy also suggests figuring out what each part does and understanding how it works with the parts around it before removing it. That can help with reassembly, since you don't just want to put it back together, but put it back together working.

 

[Fin]

This. I believe Tomosy also suggests figuring out what each part does and understanding how it works with the parts around it before removing it. That can help with reassembly, since you don't just want to put it back together, but put it back together working.

^^^This too! Understanding how everything slots together is very important and can make reassembling things so much easier.

The slightly odd looking cog just visible in these two pictures for instance:

It has a funny cut-out type shape to it, like a chunk is missing. Weird... Why is it like that?

It took a moment to figure out what it's purpose is, besides linking to another two cogs with a tensioning spring at the end of the chain. It controls the mirror! It flips the mirror up just before the opening shutter fires, then spins and releases it as soon as the closing blade has shut. A lever with a roller on the end is actuated when the shutter fires by rolling over the top of it, but when you re-cock the shutter, it turns in the opposite direction so the roller goes underneath it. Clever!


It's also good to bear in mind the following when re-assembling:

Whatever camera (or other mechanical or electronic device) you dismantle was designed by someone who probably knows far more than you do about camera (or whatever) design. Each part, screw, washer and/or shim has been thought about and built into that design. And designing complex mechanisms is hard work; no-one adds seemingly pointless bits for fun, everything on that mechanism is there for a reason, even if it's reason isn't readily apparent. So... Make sure you put everything back exactly in the reverse order that it came off in. If you end up with no screws or washers left over after re-assembling, you win!

 

[AgX]

but it doesn't make the issue go away...

There is no issue.

 

[Kino]

There is no issue.

You are welcome to your opinion. I disagree. Shall we move on?