Nikomat FTN self timer

[Rekusu]

What ho one and all,

I have a lovely Nikomat FTN that just feels so good to use. However, recently, the self timer has been jamming and when it happens, the camera cannot operate.

Removed the base and have found the issue, but not sure if I have to effectively dismantle the camera to resolve it and I am unable to find any info via the internet.

From what I have found, not sure if the self timer is integrated into the shutter timing or if it is a separate unit (most likely.)

In this photo, the large screw (yellow) obviously, attaches the self timer to the shutter unit, or alternatively it is holding the entire shutter and self timer together. The red arrow is part of the timer cocking and is a fork (I think), with the pin (green arrow) being the activation. Or, it could be the other way around, what do I know?

However, the problem is the pin (green) is obviously part of a lever and is loose to the extent that it hits the screw and prevents the timer completing its cycle. Flick it out of the way and all is fine.

Again, I assume the pin / lever is screwed to something deeper into the body, but........? The issue is, the best way to access the lever or its screw. Remove the leatherette? Would I have to remove the mirror box to access the self timer?

Grateful for any advice before I get into the repair.

Thanks and toodle pip

Rex

 

[Rekusu]

Found an answer to my own question on Vintage Resurrection youtube channel.

Yes, the lever is screwed to the timer but to access it, seems the mirror box has to be removed. Probably not necessary to remove the shutter.

Will have to investigate further.

 

[OAPOli]

I had to service the self-timer on a FTN. The cocking lever was ineffective and only partly cocking the self-timer. Caused by the shaft not properly staked to the cocking gear. You have to remove the mirror box and shutter unit to access the self timer.

I sounds like you have a similar issue however in my case it didn't jam the camera.

 

[Rekusu]

Thanks for your reply. Jamming is probably not the correct word since the camera works just fine. But if the self timer lever hits that screw, it does not activate so the camera is kinda' locked up until it can fully wind down.

Having removed the top cover prior to the mirror box, did you have to remove the prism or can it stay with the mirror box?

I'm hopeful that I will not have to remove the shutter since from what I can see on the Vintage Resurrection video, once the mirro box is set aside, the screw holding the lever is accessible. But what do I know?

 

[OAPOli]

You don't need to remove the prism, only unsolder a few wires (Edit: actually you might not need to unsolder connections).

If you need to remove the shutter unit, it's really not a big deal. That's the beauty of the Copal Square shutter.

 

[Rekusu]

Good to know; many thanks