Kodak Retinette film counter problem.

[Eric the Red]

I was given a semi-non operative Kodak Retinette Model 1952 (017) for Christmas by my daughter.

The shutter works reasonably well at all speeds. Has original box, owners manual, certificate of ownership, and an envelope labeled: 1. "A Kodak flashpost adapter," and 2. "Washers." Envelope is still mostly sealed.

To dry fire this camera I need to manually turn the post with teeth on it (not sure of proper name), to get it to release the shutter button so you can fire it. Arm the shutter, and press the shutter release button and picture taken.

Problem is, the post with teeth only turns an eighth of a turn before stopping. Irregardless of where the film counter is placed, the post will not turn any further. Pressing the shutter button to fire counts the film counter down by one number, but when you turn the post its eighth of a turn, the counter is back at the previous number when it stops.

I watched a Chris Sherlock video series on rebuilding this camera, but in that series, he only rebuilds the shutter. When he winds and dry-fires his camera, the counter makes a full revolution. Mine obviously does not. Mine rewinds just fine, it's just the winding part that has issues.

Is there any instruction on taking the top off the camera to rebuild or at least make it functional anywhere that I overlooked, or can somebody provide instructions for me to remove the top, please?

Thank you for your time and insight
Eric

 

[benjiboy]

Have you tried it with a film in it ?.

 

[retina_restoration]

Eric,
If you are only rolling the sprocket roller ("the post with teeth on it") and not also turning the film advance knob, then the lock lever that is activated by the sprocket is not going to fully disengage after firing the shutter. The mechanism is meant to work with film in the camera, which uses both the film takeup spool and the sprocket to activate the shutter release mechanism. If you put film in the camera, I think you'll find it all works correctly.

 

[benjiboy]

Eric,
If you are only rolling the sprocket roller ("the post with teeth on it") and not also turning the film advance knob, then the lock lever that is activated by the sprocket is not going to fully disengage after firing the shutter. The mechanism is meant to work with film in the camera, which uses both the film takeup spool and the sprocket to activate the shutter release mechanism. If you put film in the camera, I think you'll find it all works correctly.

Right on, as I wrote, old cameras don't work correctly without film in them.

 

[Eric the Red]

Good evening @benjiboy and @retina_restoration. Thank you for your responses!

I tried to fully load a roll of film in the camera, without success. As soon as the sprocket turns its little bit, the winding knob locks. Only way to release it is to either press the shutter button, or slide the R/A lever to the rewind setting. Then you can start to wind again.

I tried spooling a couple full turns of film onto the take-up spool before letting the film down onto the sprocket. Same result.

I'm at a loss.

Eric

 

[retina_restoration]

Good evening @benjiboy and @retina_restoration. Thank you for your responses!

I tried to fully load a roll of film in the camera, without success. As soon as the sprocket turns its little bit, the winding knob locks. Only way to release it is to either press the shutter button, or slide the R/A lever to the rewind setting. Then you can start to wind again.

I tried spooling a couple full turns of film onto the take-up spool before letting the film down onto the sprocket. Same result.

I'm at a loss.

Eric

The release mechanism under the top cover is sticking, due to dust and grease. It will need to be cleaned to work properly.

 

[Eric the Red]

Thank you @retina_restoration, I figured something like that had to be the problem. Is there somewhere I can find information on how to remove the top of this camera so that I may clean and lube it? As I said, Chris Sherlock's video series on this camera address only the shutter rebuild. I have used his videos when I rebuilt two retinas and a retina automatic 3. His videos are very much appreciated. If I cannot figure out how to get this apart, I will be contacting Paul. I just prefer to do as much for myself before I ask for help.

Thank you.

Eric

 

[retina_restoration]

Thank you @retina_restoration, I figured something like that had to be the problem. Is there somewhere I can find information on how to remove the top of this camera so that I may clean and lube it? As I said, Chris Sherlock's video series on this camera address only the shutter rebuild. I have used his videos when I rebuilt two retinas and a retina automatic 3. His videos are very much appreciated. If I cannot figure out how to get this apart, I will be contacting Paul. I just prefer to do as much for myself before I ask for help.

Thank you.

Eric

Eric, this is Paul you’re speaking with.
Removing the top cover of the Retinette is much the same as removing the top cover of the Retina 1, Type 013 or most any of the Retina I variants: put a screwdriver (or equivalent) through the fork of the rewind knob, spin off the knob. To remove the film advance knob, you need a 10mm spanner that has been filed down thin enough to fit in the space on top of the film takeup spool (you'll need to file about 2mm of thickness off the spanner to get it to fit the space), engage the two flats of the exposed section of the shaft (immediately above the takeup spool) and spin the advance knob off (clockwise!) while firmly holding the spanner on the shaft to stop it from rotating. Remove the screws at each end of the top cover and then you can lift off the top cover.

Reassembly is the reverse process.

It should all go much like this.

 

[Eric the Red]

Thank you for that Paul. I have not been a member on here long enough yet to recognize gentlefolk by their handles. And for that, you have my humble apologies. I will make my attempts on that camera here in the following week. If, in the event that I am unsuccessful, either due to trepidation of getting in over my head, or some other malady, may I contact you about repairs, please?

Thank you.

Eric

 

[retina_restoration]

Thank you for that Paul. I have not been a member on here long enough yet to recognize gentlefolk by their handles. And for that, you have my humble apologies. I will make my attempts on that camera here in the following week. If, in the event that I am unsuccessful, either due to trepidation of getting in over my head, or some other malady, may I contact you about repairs, please?

Thank you.

Eric

No problem, Eric.
You're 100% certain yours is a Type 017, yes? Most of the other Retinettes I do not work on, but I can do a 017.

 

[Eric the Red]

I believe so.

If you need any other identification, please let me know.

Thank you.

Eric