Need help with a Zeiss Ikon Maximar 9x12

shutterfinger

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ow one of them has come out altogether, and won't go back in again!
They have to be perfectly perpendicular to the opening many times and the slightest shift off axis prevents them from starting. Use light delicate pressure to hold the screw.

Can you post a picture of the lever? I agree it should be movable out of the way to allow closing.
 

Brom

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Aug 17, 2014
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Hi
Don't know what the latch does, but yes, it is spring loaded. The black metal piece can't go past the little metal bulge on the top of the latch, whether I press the latch forward or back - and when you push the bellows towards shut, it comes up against the metal bulge and that's it - it can go no further. .
 

shutterfinger

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It appears to be an infinity stop. Slide the front standard out over the bump then back against it, turn the focus knob until the infinity markers align on the scale and infinity should be in focus, focus on anything closer then read the scale to get the focused distance.

The bar that extends from the base of the front standard may move outward/should move allowing the standard to clear the stop. It may be stuck from non use.
 

Brom

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Thanks, Shutterfinger. I've put some more lube on the bar attached to the standard, which is rock solid. I'll try moving it again tomorrow morning.
 

Brom

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Done it!
The key seems to have been getting the left hand screw back in its hole (with its two tiny washers). Then I pressed that screw down hard, which moved the thin brass plate below the black steel plate downwards. The right hand screw doesn't seem to do anything - it stays tight. Then I pushed the standard (I think you call it), and somehow, because of all the lube, the standard went over a tiny silver screw on the left-hand side, which allowed the whole thing to move backwards into its case. I enclose a photo (no.2) of me pushing the left-hand screw and the tiny silver screw on the left-hand side, over which it has to pass.

Next query - photo 3 - I presume this is some sort of focusing lens and mirror. As you can see, the mirror is badly tarnished, so no image can be seen. Can one obtain a replacement - or have I misunderstood the function of this?

One thing's for sure - I've learnt more in the last two days about these old cameras than in my previous sixty years!

Thanks very much for your help.
 

shutterfinger

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I presume this is some sort of focusing lens and mirror.
It is an optical view finder. You look through the top to align the camera on the subject. It should swivel 90° so that it is usable with the camera in portrait or landscape position.
The mirror on this one needs to be replaced. The top appears that it will open from the camera front and swing up for cleaning.
 

paul ron

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Hahahahahahaha soooooo true!

There are a couple film backs for this camera, one that i was told will fit mine is a Rada. Im still tring to get one but you'll notice they are far n few between and generally on the expensive side for what it is.

Google maximar n you'll find lots of info on the variations. Also ask here in the plate camera forums.
 
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