Minolta 16 II: Seeking advice on replacing foam surrounding lens

[AZSkip]

I just purchased this camera, it is an older version of the Minolta 16 II. The case is marked Chiyoda Kogaku - Japan. There is, or was, what appears to be polyurethane foam surrounding the lens and sandwiching the aperture blades. It does not appear the foam had an adhesive backing. The foam has completely disintegrated and there are only a couple very small particles in the lens. There is even the remnant of an insect stuck to the foam. I can simply bin this camera but I'd like to attempt to salvage and use it.

I am at a loss for what thickness foam to use and for how much to use to surround the lens. I measure the outside diameter of the lens to be approximately 11.68mm. I've found a thin-wall tube I can use to cut a hole in some foam that would be slightly smaller than the diameter of the lens. I have several different thicknesses of foam purchased from a vendor in Japan related to prior projects.

Any advice related to working on this camera is appreciated.

 

[xkaes]

You didn't say why you took it apart, but my first thought is, "Does the shutter work correctly?" If not, you have a much bigger problem.

As to the foam, I assume that it would be easy to find/create a similar piece of foam or plastic to fit, but before you do that you might want to determine if the foam is essential -- just take a couple of pictures in very bright sunlight, and determine if there is a light leak. You might not need to replace the foam at all -- just clean it up.

Keep in mind that there are always lots of these for sale -- in good shape.

There might be an exploded view of the 16 II online somewhere, but here is an option for you:

https://learncamerarepair.com/product.php?product=867

 

[AZSkip]

Thank you for the reply xkaes. I had read online about deteriorating foam in these cameras and other cameras made in Japan during the 1960s and 1970s and decided to take a look. Basically, the foam just fell apart. I think it a good thing though since the aperture blades are moving next to the foam and may carry particles into the lens if I were to use the camera as it was.

The shutter does work but I do not have any means to test the shutter speed.

The instructions at the link are attributed to Mark Hahn. The instructions are available on another website without cost. https://www.geocities.ws/markhahn2000/repair.html With the frequency with which these types of website pages disappear, it is, to me, a wise approach to save the entire page.

I would like to save this camera but have sent an inquiry to the seller of another one on a popular auction site.

 

[Donald Qualls]

FWIW, I have a Kiev 30 and Kiev 303 (both of which are slightly upgraded copies of the Minolta 16II). On mine, the foam was degraded as well; I didn't replace it and have had no light leak issues with either camera.

BTW, I'm pretty sure the foam was latex based, not polyurethane. This was the 1960s, after all.

 

[xkaes]

. I had read online about deteriorating foam in these cameras and other cameras made in Japan during the 1960s and 1970s

The big issue with deteriorating foam with older cameras is normally the foam around the film door -- or the film window, if it has one. That can turn into a real mess with some cameras -- and is no small task. But, in your case, it looks like it was smart to take it apart to clean things up.

As to the shutter, an easy test could set your mind at ease. First, check to see if the B setting works as it should. Next select 1/500. You should hear the shutter click (a blue dot appears before it is fired), but you won't see the shutter firing. Then select 1/30. At that speed, in bright light, you should be able to see the lens clearly. If that tests A-OK, you are good to go!!!

And thanks for the repair LINK!!!

 

[ic-racer]

 

[AZSkip]

Thanks for all the replies. I’m still looking it over while mulling what to do. Probably will order another one regardless.