Kalimar A Strange lever

[lambertsz]

Hello friends,
I just bought myself a nice, near mint Kalimar A for a few bucks.
Camera looks great and solid.
There's one drawback though: I can't use the shutter.
I guess that the filmtransport-knob will take care of cocking the shutter. If I press the release-knob,though, nothing happens: I can transport the film again and press the release but still nothing happens. I even have the feeling that I can't press the release-knob far enough. I tried to open the camera to find out but I only managed to remove the top cover.
I looked everywhere to find further screws to open the front or remove the lens but I can't find it.
Another thing which puzzles me is the lever at the shutterspeed-setting-ring at the lens. I have found lots of pictures of the Kalimar A but I didn't find this lever on any of these pictures. Look f.i. here:
<http://www.famil-online-home.com/kalimar_a35.htm>
and take a look at the picture below.
I guess the lever will have something to do with the shutter; just don't know what. This lever is stuck by the way, although there isn't much space for this lever to move to:nor to the right, nor to the left (the opening is about 3mm wide)
Is there anyone around who does own a Kalimar A and who does know a bit about the internal camera?

Merry Christmas
Willem

 

[glbeas]

The lever is more likely a self timer, or less likely a shutter cocking lever. If it's a self timer and it's cocked it wont move until the shutter is tripped. If its a shutter cocking lever and it's cocked it will not move until the shutter is tripped. That will likely mean part of the shutter trip mechanism has failed and needs a trip to a repair shop.

 

[lambertsz]

The lever is more likely a self timer, or less likely a shutter cocking lever. If it's a self timer and it's cocked it wont move until the shutter is tripped. If its a shutter cocking lever and it's cocked it will not move until the shutter is tripped. That will likely mean part of the shutter trip mechanism has failed and needs a trip to a repair shop.

Thanks Gary,
I go -as you do- for the self-timer, Gary. Cocking is highly unlikely since I'm pretty convinced that cocking is done by transporting the film. (The Kalimar looks a bit -internally- like a camera I had before: the Fodor 35. Cocking here was indeed done by transporting which freed the way for the shutter to go 'all the way'.
Personally I fear that there's something inside which prevents the shutter-release button from releasing the shutter. That's why I would like to peek into the mechanism to see what blocks the shutter-release button.
I would like to do it myself: the repair shop will ask me to pay a price which will largely exceed the price of the camera.

Merry Christmas Gary, and, thanks

Willem

 

[glbeas]

I had a small camera once that had a screw loose on the spindle that the film tracked on. It wouldn't cock the shutter without the film rolling the spindle and the loose screw just let it spin without turning the mechanism. It was accesible inside the camera back so I tightened it up and everything worked. You usually don't need new parts when a camera breaks, just reassembly. Hope you get it working.

 

[Bob F.]

Kalimar A instructions here: Dead Link Removed - scroll down the page - but minus that lever!

My limited experience is that a stuck self-timer will likely cause the shutter to not work until it is un-stuck...

Cheers, Bob.

 

[lambertsz]

Kalimar A instructions here: Dead Link Removed - scroll down the page - but minus that lever!

My limited experience is that a stuck self-timer will likely cause the shutter to not work until it is un-stuck...

Cheers, Bob.

Hi Bob,
Thanks, Bob.
Just almost all pictures on the web I have seen of the Kalimar A show a camera without this lever indeed. Very strange.
I agree with what you say about the stuck-selftimer. That's why I can't wait to get inside or at least would find a way to open the lens: where the hack are the screws! I removed the leatherette (or should I say plasticarette) to find out that there were no screws. Even with the top-cover detached you won't find any entry-screw to the inner-world of the Kalimar.
Well we keep on trying, Bob!

Kind regards,
Willem

 

[glbeas]

Look on the barrel of the lens for a set screw. This should be the one that limits the turn of the focus. Removing it should allow you to unscrew the lens all the way out. Take careful note of the position of the lens as it comes free of the threads, it will have to be positioned exactly the same as it goes back in. It probably has multi groove helicals and you can get it back in the wrong groove and make the pointer set the wrong way. Under this is the speed dial. It will have several cams and springs attached under and will pop out when the plate is lifted. If you are brave and detail oriented you can note where everything is and pull the plate to access the self timer assembly or you might be able to get to it through a slot in the dial. A drop of WD 40 on a sable spotting brush applied just to the gears and escapements will most likely make it work. Don't allow any oil on the aperture or shutter blades at any cost.

Other than that you have an adventure on your hands and you are on your own with it. Note this is just general in nature and I can't say for sure what you will find inside, though most shutters are very similar in design.

 

[lambertsz]

Look on the barrel of the lens for a set screw. This should be the one that limits the turn of the focus. Removing it should allow you to unscrew the lens all the way out. Take careful note of the position of the lens as it comes free of the threads, it will have to be positioned exactly the same as it goes back in. It probably has multi groove helicals and you can get it back in the wrong groove and make the pointer set the wrong way. Under this is the speed dial. It will have several cams and springs attached under and will pop out when the plate is lifted. If you are brave and detail oriented you can note where everything is and pull the plate to access the self timer assembly or you might be able to get to it through a slot in the dial. A drop of WD 40 on a sable spotting brush applied just to the gears and escapements will most likely make it work. Don't allow any oil on the aperture or shutter blades at any cost.

Other than that you have an adventure on your hands and you are on your own with it. Note this is just general in nature and I can't say for sure what you will find inside, though most shutters are very similar in design.

Hi Gary,
Thanks!. That's a good and extensive description. The thing I always fear, with removing the lens is that I bring it out of focus, replacing it. You have to screw a few rounds before it gets loose and I'm always utterly incertain whether I do it well or not. And, of course I always fear things, springs and such popping up when lifting something. But, than again: if you don't try you will never learn! I'd rather waste my Kalimar than my Moskwa or Iskra!
I will give it a go tomorrow:I now have to join the rest of the family to celebrate Saint Nicholas and unpack all the presents.

Talk to you again Gary,

Bye,
Willem