Kodalux L Mini Meter Problem - Stuck ASA/DIN Dial

ozphoto · Sep 12, 2020

Hi all.

Just picked up this wonderful little meter and it's near perfect, except the ASA/DIN dial won't move, instead, it rotates the entire dial when attempting to set correctly.

The meter reads spot on when tested at the setting it is stuck at (200ASA) but I'd really like to get it working as I'm sure I'll forget in the heat of the moment to adjust the reading to match my chosen film's speed.

It seems to be "stuck" - any chance the application of a small amount of some WD40 (or equivalent) will get it moving smoothly again? Or do I need to take on some more intricate DIY methods instead?

AgX · Sep 12, 2020

To set the film-speed in your case you have to try to counter the twisting force by holding steady the shutter-speed dial.

In case that would not work you should instead of applying oil disassemble the dial apparatus, clean everything from maybe resinated grease or so and with a thin film of fresh grease at contact areas remount it all. Then wipe off any visible traces of grease film with a cotton bud.

shutterfinger · Sep 12, 2020

Water Displacing #40 is not a good product to use on or in cameras or related photographic equipment. 90% Isopropyl Alcohol is a much better product to use.

John Koehrer · Sep 12, 2020

A drop or two of Naptha(US)* may help. WD40 isn't the right way to go.

Lighter fluid/Naptha maybe known as "white gas" in other parts of the world.

AgX · Sep 12, 2020

Are you sure the lettering and paint and the plastic glass will survive such rigorous threatment?

MattKing · Sep 12, 2020

It may not be gummed up.
It might be bent.

AgX · Sep 12, 2020

Seen the design and the material I exclude being bent, unless there is some strong impact-mark.

shutterfinger · Sep 12, 2020

https://retinarescue.com/files/smallkodaluxinstructions.pdf
Gossen Pilot rebadged/repackaged. A GE DW68 uses a similar dial/ASA setting mechanism. They can be stiff, were designed to hold the setting therefore not easy to move. It may be difficult to operate for those with large fingers.

ozphoto · Sep 13, 2020

shutterfinger said:
Water Displacing #40 is not a good product to use on or in cameras or related photographic equipment. 90% Isopropyl Alcohol is a much better product to use.

John Koehrer said:
A drop or two of Naptha(US)* may help. WD40 isn't the right way to go.

Lighter fluid/Naptha maybe known as "white gas" in other parts of the world.

I have both of those, so will give that a whirl!

MattKing said:
It may not be gummed up.
It might be bent.

Doesn't appear to be bent, but the DIN numbers are scraped - so something definitely isn't right with it.

shutterfinger said:
https://retinarescue.com/files/smallkodaluxinstructions.pdf
Gossen Pilot rebadged/repackaged. A GE DW68 uses a similar dial/ASA setting mechanism. They can be stiff, were designed to hold the setting therefore not easy to move. It may be difficult to operate for those with large fingers.

When I try to rotate it, the whole dial rotates, but the actual ASA/DIN stays solidly in place, so I'm guessing it's "gummed up" somehow. It's almost mint (except for the dial and DIN wear), so I'm wondering if lack of use has something to do with it . . .

shutterfinger · Sep 13, 2020

ozphoto said:
When I try to rotate it, the whole dial rotates, but the actual ASA/DIN stays solidly in place, so I'm guessing it's "gummed up" somehow.

Those two holes in the center are for a spanner, should be a standard right hand thread, so unscrew the center attaching screw and see what's what. Oil or solvent won't help this one. Someone has had it open before so its likely not accembled correctly.

ozphoto · Sep 13, 2020

shutterfinger said:
Those two holes in the center are for a spanner, should be a standard right hand thread, so unscrew the center attaching screw and see what's what. Oil or solvent won't help this one. Someone has had it open before so its likely not accembled correctly.

Thanks for that. I'll have a go and if it looks toast I'll fasten back up, test the readings against my Sekonic and adjust my exposures to the 200ASA reading.

It is a great little meter, so I might even send off to be looked at at a later date.

AgX · Sep 13, 2020

ozphoto said:
When I try to rotate it, the whole dial rotates, but the actual ASA/DIN stays solidly in place, so I'm guessing it's "gummed up" somehow.

It is meant to stay. In such designs either the film-speed scale or the window is to be twisted. Not both.

shutterfinger · Sep 13, 2020

The ASA dial should move the ASA range of the meter with the outer ring held steady. The ASA dial should rotate with the outer ring as it is turned when measuring light.
My guess is the ASA scale is in a bing from the center screw being installed incorrectly or someone locked it at a set position.

BrianShaw · Sep 13, 2020

... and/or there’s a flat spring missing.

ozphoto · Sep 14, 2020

AgX said:
It is meant to stay. In such designs either the film-speed scale or the window is to be twisted. Not both.

I meant you can't move the ASA/DIN window at all, instead, the entire dial rotates, but not that window: it's rock solid. Think someone else attempted to move it given the DIN damage, (but *not* by gentle means!), guess I'll find out when I get it apart why it refuses to move completely.

AgX · Sep 14, 2020

I thought someone scratched the DIN scale by purpose, to not get distracted by it.

ozphoto · Sep 14, 2020

AgX said:
I thought someone scratched the DIN scale by purpose, to not get distracted by it.

Heck - that was pretty drastic if they had. :O

ozphoto · Oct 20, 2020

Thought I'd post an update, for anyone who is interested.

I managed to unscrew the centre and the ASA/DIN dial came off as did the small metal (?) o-ring that sat underneath. The "scratching" on the DIN section is actually a build-up of rust(?) - I can see the numbers through it but definitely won't budge.

Was fairly easy to put back together and I managed to marry-up the shutter speeds and f-stops correctly so that the readings matched my Sekonic, and the ASA/DIN actually moves at last! Unfortunately, there's still some slippage and the centre screw now starts to unscrew as I adjust the dials, even when I tighten, so obviously there is something amiss. Couldn't see a spring, so if there is supposed to be one present, it must be long gone.

I rather like the little meter, so I'll see if I can find a repairer here to check it out and put back together much better than I have.

shutterfinger · Oct 20, 2020

ozphoto said:
the centre screw now starts to unscrew as I adjust the dials,

Remove the screw, apply a small drop of clear nail polish or Loctite 242 (blue) thread locker to the tip of the screw, install and tighten.

ozphoto · Oct 22, 2020

shutterfinger said:
Remove the screw, apply a small drop of clear nail polish or Loctite 242 (blue) thread locker to the tip of the screw, install and tighten.

Oh thanks! Didn't think of that. I'll have to get some Loctite and give it a whirl.

Kodalux L Mini Meter Problem - Stuck ASA/DIN Dial

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