Kodak Retina IIIc film counter issue

Sharktooth · Apr 14, 2024

I have a Retina IIIc and was cycling through the shutter speeds to keep them exercised. While doing that, I noticed that I had to reset the counter more than once. That seemed strange, since I know I didn't take anywhere near 36 shots. I then reset the counter back to 36, and then watched the counter as I was winding. It turns out that the counter advances by 2 each time I advance the lever. This is very strange, since everything seems to be working normally.

I've got a few IIIc cameras, and I may have taken the top cover off at some point. I know I had one with a sticky counter reset button on top that I repaired, so it might have been that one. Is there anything in the counter mechanism that would cause the counter to advance by 2 instead of 1?

Bearman · Apr 14, 2024

Broken gear teeth? Good luck
Chris has retired, but his videos might help if you DIY:

https://www.youtube.com/@ChrisSherlock/search?query=retina

Sharktooth · Apr 14, 2024

Thanks. I looked on Chris Sherlock's channel before I posted, but I couldn't find one that was specifically directed at the film counter. I'm sure he's probably mentioned it in one of his videos, but there are too many to look through to find one that addresses this issue.

I doubt it would be related to broken gear teeth, since that would probably result in the counter not advancing at all, or skipping intermittently. Maybe some parts from a different model or version were swapped out at some point. I'm searching for clues to what might be causing this, before removing the top cover. If there are mismatched parts, then taking the cover off won't fix it, so I'd be better off just leaving it alone. The counter isn't that important, since the camera still functions properly.

Hunter_Compton · Apr 14, 2024

The film counter mechanism in that camera has a screw that hits an arm on the shutter cocking rack, if the screw is backed too far out it can advance the counter more than one position. If this is the case, the top cover can be removed, the screw tightened a bit and then the top cover replaced and checked. The correct position of that screw will be such that the counter advances only one position each time the advance lever is pulled and the corresponding white line on the counter dial lines up with the notch cut in the top cover.

BrianShaw · Apr 14, 2024

Additional details to supplement post #4

Sharktooth · Apr 14, 2024

Wow! Thanks Hunter and Brian! That looks like something I should be able to do. The description and pictures help immensely.

retina_restoration · Apr 14, 2024

Hunter_Compton said:
The film counter mechanism in that camera has a screw that hits an arm on the shutter cocking rack, if the screw is backed too far out it can advance the counter more than one position. If this is the case, the top cover can be removed, the screw tightened a bit and then the top cover replaced and checked. The correct position of that screw will be such that the counter advances only one position each time the advance lever is pulled and the corresponding white line on the counter dial lines up with the notch cut in the top cover.

This is correct. Turn the screw 1/4 turn, test and repeat until it's correct. The screw in question is the part labeled N-4075 in the above diagram.

Sharktooth · Apr 15, 2024

I've just finished adjusting the counter in my Retina. It's now working beautifully. I watched a Chris Sherlock video to see how to remove the top cover, and the advice here on this thread to adjust the counter. It required several full turns of the screw to get it down to a single step advance. I have no idea how it got out of adjustment so badly. I know it wasn't anything I would have done.

The hardest part was actually getting a screwdriver blade into the end of the screw. My old eyes, even with glasses, were no match. I had to resort to a 10x loupe just to be able to see it clearly. Once engaged, the screw was easy to turn.

I want to thank everyone here so much for your generous advice and pictures. It saved me a lot of trouble and grief.

Yous guys are da best!!

... and of course, kudos to Chris Sherlock too for his amazing series of camera repair videos on YouTube!

retina_restoration · Apr 15, 2024

Sharktooth said:
I've just finished adjusting the counter in my Retina. It's now working beautifully. I watched a Chris Sherlock video to see how to remove the top cover, and the advice here on this thread to adjust the counter. It required several full turns of the screw to get it down to a single step advance. I have no idea how it got out of adjustment so badly. I know it wasn't anything I would have done.

The hardest part was actually getting a screwdriver blade into the end of the screw. My old eyes, even with glasses, were no match. I had to resort to a 10x loupe just to be able to see it clearly. Once engaged, the screw was easy to turn.

I want to thank everyone here so much for your generous advice and pictures. It saved me a lot of trouble and grief.

Yous guys are da best!!

... and of course, kudos to Chris Sherlock too for his amazing series of camera repair videos on YouTube!

Well done! Congrats.

Kodak Retina IIIc film counter issue

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