Ok, since lens cleaning is so easy...

[pbromaghin]

Oh, and if it does work n he's hooked?... we have another guy we can sell our old broken cameras to..... shuuussssh.

That wouldn't be a bad idea, 10 years from now when I plan to retire. One more thing to keep me out of my wife's way.

 

[clayne]

micro-tools.com for the lens spanner you'll need for the retaining ring.

 

[Peter Simpson]

Something I discovered when cleaning my first shutter/aperture assembly (Canonet G-III): after soaking with naphtha of your choice, the liquid will remain between the blades a lot longer than it does where it is exposed to air. Capillary action and surface tension *may* act to prevent motion of these blades until the liquid evaporates. I thought I had wrecked the mechanism. Waited a (seemingly long) time and they freed right up.

If Micro-tools doesn't have it, try a "General" brand vernier caliper and a divider set from Amazon or some cheap tool importer. Grind the points down with a Dremel tool to fit whatever it is you're trying to loosen. Worked well for me.

 

[pbromaghin]

micro-tools.com for the lens spanner you'll need for the retaining ring.

$83! To work on my $10 camera. AAAACK!

 

[clayne]

$83! To work on my $10 camera. AAAACK!

There's cheaper one's available, and some of their kit options are a decent deal.

You can also use a set of metal calipers available at a hardware store.

 

[Newt_on_Swings]

You can also use a set of metal calipers available at a hardware store.

Dual purpose! Even better if they are locking type!

 

[BrianShaw]

$83! To work on my $10 camera. AAAACK!

You have to look at it as an investment. $83 to work on 10 more $10 cameras in the future! I always thought that tool purchases were a totally separate hobby... so buying as many as needed/wanted was OK.

 

[E. von Hoegh]

You have to look at it as an investment. $83 to work on 10 more $10 cameras in the future! I always thought that tool purchases were a totally separate hobby... so buying as many as needed/wanted was OK.

Also, you need to have the proper tool for the job, and to know how to use it. If screwdrivers don't fit, they damage the screws. If wrenches don't fit, they cause damage. If you can find a real gunsmith (as opposed to those butchers on TV), look at his bench. You'll notice a lot of screwdrivers that have been ground or filed to fit specific screws. It is inexcusably bad workmanship to allow a tool to slip and damage whatever you are working on, be it an old Kodak Ball-Bearing shutter or an Earnshaw box chronometer.

 

[Peter Simpson]

I bought one of these - $22, and ground the tips down:
http://www.amazon.com/Inside-Outside-Divider-Calipers-Machinist/dp/B000OVJZH4
I also bought one of these - $8, and ground down the inside measurement jaws:
http://www.amazon.com/General-Tools...1?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1332858538&sr=1-1-catcorr

A set of small screwdrivers and some rubber lab stoppers (had them, but a chemistry supply place will have them) completed my "tool kit"
I was able to remove both inner and outer lens assemblies from the Canonet G-III with these and some careful work.

The initial tool set doesn't have to cost a fortune. Just work carefully and slowly.

 

[pbromaghin]

You have to look at it as an investment. $83 to work on 10 more $10 cameras in the future! I always thought that tool purchases were a totally separate hobby... so buying as many as needed/wanted was OK.

Over the years I have become well aware of the need for good tools - in landscaping, home repair, auto maintenance, etc. However, I am not intending at this time to get into the camera repair business, but only into the business of repairing *this* camera.

I will admit that these cameras, medium format folders, have created a certain fascination for me. There is a lot of temptation there to enter into the accumulation of tools to start learning how to fix them up and make them usable. However, I am in no position to start a new hobby; I already hardly have time to dedicate to karate, photography or gardening. In the meantime I'll scout around and keep my eyes open for whenever a spanner makes itself available at a price I want to pay. These opportunities seem to happen when one simply looks for them.

 

[paul ron]

E-Clip pliers come in several sizes n styles. They also have em with interchangeable tips so you can modify them as you like to fit different situations. I look for the type tyhat I can also lock to a specific opening. Nice all around tool, multi use, n cheap off the shelf item at auto suppliy stores.

 

[E. von Hoegh]

E-Clip pliers come in several sizes n styles. They also have em with interchangeable tips so you can modify them as you like to fit different situations. I look for the type tyhat I can also lock to a specific opening. Nice all around tool, multi use, n cheap off the shelf item at auto suppliy stores.

The tool you refer to is for installing and removing snap rings, nothing else. It is not for turning retaining rings, there is a proper spanner for that.

 

[paul ron]

OK, a spanner is what you like to use but it's not law to have one; is it?

Tools don't make the mechanic, mechanics make the tools.

In 40 some odd years of being a mechanic I have emassed many multi use tools, modified as well as manufatured many of my own for specific jobs using off the shelf items such as e-clip pliers, hemostats, dental tools, none of which were designed specifically for camera repair but they all seem to work just fine. Using a bottle stopper is not a proper tool for removing a beauty ring is it?... I use a plumbers test plug.. not really intended for camera repairs but it works.

How skilled you are using them is a different story. Having a $200 spanner won't make you a better repairmen, only practice n skill can do that.

.

 

[Newt_on_Swings]

If you are only wishing to try and fix one cheapo camera, you can do it with two screw drivers. I dont recommend this as slippage is very easy and you could mar the lens or surrounding areas.

You can even make your own with a short section of tubing, where you cut away everything but the 2 nibs at one end to engage the space designed for the spanner.

 

[E. von Hoegh]

OK, a spanner is what you like to use but it's not law to have one; is it?

Tools don't make the mechanic, mechanics make the tools.



How skilled you are using them is a different story. Having a $200 spanner won't make you a better repairmen, only practice n skill can do that.

.

There are many novice repairmen reading this thread, and my posts are for them. Only a talented and experienced person can make do with "makeshift" tools, the novice needs to learn what the proper procedure and proper tool is before he can start looking around for tools to adapt to the job at hand. This is a very common misconception, that someone starting out can get by with makeshift tools, the opposite is the reality.

 

[E. von Hoegh]

You can even make your own with a short section of tubing, where you cut away everything but the 2 nibs at one end to engage the space designed for the spanner.

Excellent suggestion.

 

[paul ron]

There are many novice repairmen reading this thread, and my posts are for them. Only a talented and experienced person can make do with "makeshift" tools, the novice needs to learn what the proper procedure and proper tool is before he can start looking around for tools to adapt to the job at hand. This is a very common misconception, that someone starting out can get by with makeshift tools, the opposite is the reality.

Realy? Well when I started at the age of 15 I used 2 screw driver to open spanners n even used scisors. It wasn't untill I I can afford or even had any good reason to need one, that I purchased a proper spanner. Spend so much money on something that you may not even like? If you are just playing around with a $10 junker, it doesn't make any sense at all to invest in tools first then learn. I've seen too many DIY mechanics with a garage full of beautiful tools n have no idea or even have the talent to use em. Waste of money! I believe in the try then buy theory.

So all you DIYer reading this; go ahead n use what every you can make due till you decide if this is for you. This isn't rocket science, it's a learned skill a caveman can do with a little experimenting... just have fun.

 

[E. von Hoegh]

Realy? Well when I started at the age of 15 I used 2 screw driver to open spanners n even used scisors. It wasn't untill I I can afford or even had any good reason to need one, that I purchased a proper spanner. Spend so much money on something that you may not even like? If you are just playing around with a $10 junker, it doesn't make any sense at all to invest in tools first then learn. I've seen too many DIY mechanics with a garage full of beautiful tools n have no idea or even have the talent to use em. Waste of money! I believe in the try then buy theory.

So all you DIYer reading this; go ahead n use what every you can make due till you decide if this is for you. This isn't rocket science, it's a learned skill a caveman can do with a little experimenting... just have fun.

Sure. Go right ahead, use anything that comes to hand. When you get tired of marring/damaging/destroying whatever you are working on, you'll value the proper tool even more.

Just don't damage yourselves.Scissors are for cutting things like paper and fabric, not DIY camera tinkerers.

 

[paul ron]

Sure. Go right ahead, use anything that comes to hand. When you get tired of marring/damaging/destroying whatever you are working on, you'll value the proper tool even more.

Just don't damage yourselves.Scissors are for cutting things like paper and fabric, not DIY camera tinkerers.

Come on, get real. This isn't a professional or a guy starting a shop working on valuable museum cameras. He's a first timer working on a $10 broken junker speculating on starting a new hobby. If it works out n he enjoys what he's done n learned someting along the way, he'll go out buy some tools n persure a new hobby. When I was in busines I made most of my tools and used whatever I had. I never had to buy special use tools and I am still using the same home made tools from 45 years ago. I have DIY sheet metal spanners.. are they OK to use as spanners or is sheet metal meant to be used for something else? You have absolutely no imagination.

Sheesh man lighten up n get off your high horse. Stop feeling so full of yourself n make a big deal over nothing. I notice this alot around here lately. I've given alot of people hands on "how to" advice, many of these same people are now very competant DIYers. How did you get started; using a $200 spanner?... every tool was store bought n has a very specific use? Get a life!

I'm out of here, sick n tired of this crap.

DIYers use whatever your imagination can conger up, it's all about the fun not some jerk telling you need expensive tools.


.

 

[E. von Hoegh]

There are many novice repairmen reading this thread, and my posts are for them. Only a talented and experienced person can make do with "makeshift" tools, the novice needs to learn what the proper procedure and proper tool is before he can start looking around for tools to adapt to the job at hand. This is a very common misconception, that someone starting out can get by with makeshift tools, the opposite is the reality.

What I said. I'm done too.

 

[pbromaghin]

HAH! I just realized that my Eddie Bauer multi-tool scissor has little spanner blades built into the handle! But that means using the scissor blades as the handle so I suppose I'll be in danger of dying from a horrible injury. Oh well, no guts, no glory.

- I ain't got time to bleed. Jesse Ventura