Kodak Retina Reflex III shutter release cleaning

[BurnThomas]

Hi.

This board was recommended to me for various problems with old camera equipment, so here goes:

Earlier this week, I was handed all this old camera equipment for free, a Kodak Retina Reflex III and 7 Schneider lenses:



I thought worst case scenario, it would be a fun hobby project to try to fix, with no consequences if I fail.

Most of this equipment from the 60's seems to be in working order, but there's a problem with the Kodak Retina Reflex III body:

The shutter itself seems to be perfectly fine when it's initiated. The problem is that there's something that keeps it from initiating after pressing the release button. with my limited knowledge about this, all I can identify is:



Since it probably hasn't been stored in the best conditions, I'm assuming it just needs some thorough cleaning. If anyone knows how I can do this, I would appreciate if you could share.

Also, a couple of the lenses have either dust particles or a sluggish aperture, so if I can fix that at home somehow, that would be great too.

 

[Chrismat]

Retinas are great cameras, I have a few. A great resource is Chris Sherlock in NZ. Check out his website, http://retinarescue.com.

Chris

 

[j-dogg]

Hey I see you made it!

Be sure to post some negative scans when you get that thing sorted out, has been one of my dream systems from the day I got back into film

 

[mr rusty]

no1 gotcha on these is the shutter won't fire once the counter gets to zero. It counts down from 36. reset it and see if it works.

Otherwise these are hideously complex but a wonderful piece of engineering. I have the predecessor reflex s in good working condition (for now!). When the shutter fires the following happens:

shutter closes, aperture closes down, mirror lifts, film capping plate lifts, shutter fires.

When you wind it, capping plate closes, mirror drops, shutter opens, aperture opens. Its mostly synchronized by a "camshaft". The meter linkage is a "string" that can break, and the cocking mechanism is through a rack and pinion which is also a weak spot.

If you want to use the lenses and the body isn't working but is otherwise in good condition, you could consider sending to Chris, or alternatively try and get another body.

If the lenses have the ramped cam slot on the back of them where they ebgage with the mount, they will also fit the Retina IIIS rangefinder.

 

[oneANT]

My Reflex S and 50/1.9 has not long come back from Chris.
Lens and camera are like new, he did a general service on both the camera and lens and replaced the prism
Terrific job, highly recommended.

His site has extensive repair DIY guides as well.

Also suggesting you reset the frame counter.

 

[shutterfinger]

The Synchro Compur shutter is in this Compur service manual- http://www.scribd.com/doc/44503560/Compur-Shutter-Repair-Manual
It does not tell how to service the camera body.
It assumes you know how to service shutters.