Kodak Retina II type 142, problem on the film rewind knob

[zanxion72]

I own a Kodak Retina II type 142 and I cannot rewind the film using the knob on the camera. For some reason, the fork that hooks on the film turns freely. Can this be fixed? Is it an easy fix?

 

[gone]

You'll need to unlock the film clutch on these cameras to rewind the film. It can be a little fiddley, so you might have to push it firmly and play w/ the rewind knob as you do it. See page 12 of the manual here

http://www.cameramanuals.org/kodak_pdf/kodak_retina_ii.pdf

Which brings up a question. How do you know that the fork turns freely if you haven't been able to rewind your film into the cassette? Did you open the camera in a film change bag and unload it that way? On many Retina models the film rewind, film number counter, etc don't work right w/o film in the cameras.

 

[zanxion72]

Yes, I do that. I unlock it by the switch on the side and then rewind forever to realize that it simply does not pull the film back. I also release the sprocket film drive by the switch on the top right of the back of the camera. It is as if the fork on the underside of the rewind knob just turns freely.

The knob simply screws on to the shaft. Sounds like the threads are stripped. Stick a screwdriver in the fork notch and unscrew the knob to verify.

The knob is being held in place with two screws visible when lifting it. It is an early Retina II.