Olympus 35 RC problem

[Quendil]

Odd, I'll take a look at my spare in the next couple days as its in a lot more peaces than yours

 

[crumbo]

It's got to be one of two things -- either there's something jammed in the sprocket teeth under the mask where you can't see it (not likely), or the shaft has corroded to the bearing. Judging by the corrosion around the battery chamber and tripod mount, this is most likely the problem.

Here's what I would do -- put a small drop of a light penetrating oil (WD-40?) between the brass shaft and the brass bearing and let it soak in. While that's going on, check carefully for anything trapped between the sprocket and mask like a tiny screw or something. After and hour or so (assuming you can't find anything jammed in the sprocket), tap lightly on the sprocket with a wooden dowel or plastic rod (I've cut off the end of a toothbrush for this sort of thing), first one direction then the other. Don't rush! If it isn't freed after a couple of taps both ways, put on another drop of oil and wait, then try again.

Regarding your meter problems, usually corrosion of the battery contact also causes corrosion of the battery lead (white wire) where it is soldered to the battery screw. Check for continuity from the end of the white wire to the battery contact -- it's probably broken. If so, gently pry out the battery chamber. Even if you break off the two pins on the upper side of the chamber, you can still glue it back in place on the body. But know that the plastic battery chamber melts very, very easily. It might help to unscrew the battery screw from the brass nut holding it, clean all, solder a new wire to the nut, then reassemble.

 

[Agulliver]

I can't see anything jammed...so I guess the shaft has corroded though it looks OK on the brass(?) end. I've tried the oil idea over the last two days and can't get it to budge. The sprocket wheel really feels jammed

As for the electrics, I see a black wire (see post 17) or is there also a white wire beneath the assembly?

 

[Quendil]

I took the brass cog off mine and found that the brass shaft has some slight up and down movement. I am guessing if the shaft will not move up and down slightly it is very seized , so as crumbo said you'll have to keep trying with penetrating oil.

 

[Agulliver]

Yep it's not moving up or down...I'll keep trying the oil. I've nothing to lose, anyway.

 

[Quendil]

Yep it's not moving up or down...I'll keep trying the oil. I've nothing to lose, anyway.

If its still not moved after a few days you could try giving it a tap with a wooden dowel to see if you can get it to move

 

[Kino]

If there is no plastic in the immediate area, you could try a drop of naphtha or acetone to see if it will free-up.

 

[Agulliver]

I have both naptha and acetone to hand, the latter is probably safer. I might give that a go tomorrow.

Thanks to everyone who's offering advice.

 

[bernard_L]

I have both naptha and acetone to hand, the latter is probably safer.

Acetone safer?? Any plastic crosses the path of acetone and your camera is dead. Naphta is good at dissolving grease. I know WD-40 is frowned upon by camera repair experts, but it has worked wonders sometimes.

 

[Agulliver]

Hmm...my acetone (propanone) is stored in a plastic bottle though I know well it is a solvent. Anyway I tried a drop to no avail. gonna try one more lubricant, probably naptha.

 

[Agulliver]

SUCCESS!

After three different oils/lubes and much tapping....it's working and reassembled. In the end I found an old can of something called "Pengard multi purpose maintenance fluid" which contains various things including penetrating oil. That did the trick. Honestly this aerosol can looks like it's been hanging around since the 70s.

I'm going to run a test film through the camera this weekend, possibly tonight at a blues/jazz club.

The electric meter, to be honest, is very much a secondary thought. I might get to it at some point in the future. Someone mentioned a white wire? I only see a black wire?

 

[Quendil]

Thats great news. I have an Olympus 35ED and an Auto Eye II to try out over the next couple of weeks

 

[Agulliver]

Hmm...there is at least one other problem....the take-up spool stops rotating if any pressure is exerted....which means that it will wind on with the film inserted but won't wind any further. It's a little hard to explain, but the lever moves all the way, the sprocket wheel now rotates but the take-up spool won't rotate if it has any tension/pressure on it.

 

[Quendil]

If you remove the brass cog from the sprocket wheel will it work then?

 

[Russ - SVP]

It’s a great little camera. Love mine.

 

[Russ - SVP]

SUCCESS!

After three different oils/lubes and much tapping....it's working and reassembled. In the end I found an old can of something called "Pengard multi purpose maintenance fluid" which contains various things including penetrating oil. That did the trick. Honestly this aerosol can looks like it's been hanging around since the 70s.

I'm going to run a test film through the camera this weekend, possibly tonight at a blues/jazz club.

The electric meter, to be honest, is very much a secondary thought. I might get to it at some point in the future. Someone mentioned a white wire? I only see a black wire?

If it ever had a leaking battery, they are known to corrode the small wire that goes the meter. You’ll see it if you begin to remove the lens.