Konica III Intermittent Shutter Sticking

[mklw1954]

I picked up a nice Konica III but it takes some shutter actuations (typically 5-6) before the shutter will operate properly. This usually happens again after changing the shutter speed. The shutter blades will either not open, open slowly and stay open, or open and not completely close. Is there a way to get to the shutter blades and flush out dried out lubricant, which appears to be the problem?

When the shutter is operating properly, the shutter speeds sound right and the self-timer operates smoothly.

 

[elekm]

This camera should be serviced. Plain and simple.

The Konica III is an excellent camera and the last in the trio of rangefinders from the 1950s. There are several variations of the Konica III.

 

[mklw1954]

I sent the camera to Greg Weber. It turns out the shutter had to be repaired (2 broken blades and pins). The camera has been restored and is beautiful. The lens deserves its reputation for sharpness and contrast. It was well worth the $200 repair cost.

 

[TheToadMen]

I picked up a nice Konica III but it takes some shutter actuations (typically 5-6) before the shutter will operate properly. This usually happens again after changing the shutter speed. The shutter blades will either not open, open slowly and stay open, or open and not completely close. Is there a way to get to the shutter blades and flush out dried out lubricant, which appears to be the problem?

When the shutter is operating properly, the shutter speeds sound right and the self-timer operates smoothly.

Hi,
This is an old thread, I know. But I had the same problem. I picked up a nice Konica III rangefinder camera. It's a beauty from 1956. Somewhat heavy (I like that), strange but nice film transport (two stroke) and a very nice rangefinder.

It's in new condition, except for the shutter. you described it perfectly: the shutter was sticky or something and was moving very, very slow. So I took it to the Hasselblad repair man in Holland for a good CLA. He ultra-sonically (is that a word?) cleaned the shutter and also cleaned every blade of the diaphragm by hand.
Now it operates perfectly and I'm gonna shoot my first film with it as soon as we'll have some decent weather overhere.

 

[mklw1954]

I'm glad you were fortunate that the shutter only needed to be cleaned. Mine had to be rebuilt as 2 blades and two pins were broken.

 

[elekm]

What can happen is that lubricant can dry and harden, especially if the camera sits unused for decades. It "glues" everything in place.

When the next unsuspecting person tries to tension the shutter, it either breaks the old lubricant or it breaks some part in the shutter. It sounds like it broke parts in the shutter.

This doesn't happen with all cameras. It's just one of many things that can happen to a camera that is idle for a long period of time (years).

The Konica III is a mighty camera - in terms of weight and performance.

 

[mklw1954]

I agree, it's possible that I caused the shutter damage as I used it under the assumption that it might just need to be exercised to work properly. Anyway, the repair was well worth it as it is a wonderful camera.