Pentax analog spotmeter disassembly

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MarkL

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Something is rattling inside my meter - sounds like a small screw or nut came loose. Also the whole exposure dial assembly on the side is loose. Can someone tell me how to open up the meter to see if it's an easy repair? I removed the 2 small screws on the bottom but that didn't seem to release anything. Also the screw by the battery test button turns both directions without doing anything.

Mark
 

Loose Gravel

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The exposure dial is separate from the other. A small spanner or a pair of needle nose pliers will remove the exposure dial. Take it apart and clean or just tighten if it is clean. A little loctite, light duty, never hurt.

To find the rattle (mine rattled with a half broken switch contact spring), remove the screws under the serial number tag at the base. Maybe that is what you've done. Then, remove the viewfinder lens where your eye goes. Seems as though it unscrews somehow. Been a long time. Then the cover should come off.
 

Wayne

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the screw by the battery button is for adjusting the needle, IIRC. What you hear rattling around is what used to hold your dial on. My dial fell off years ago ( I reattached it somehow) and the unit has been rattling for years, if you get it out let me know how. I have to go into mine soon for another problem anyway.
 

lee

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I think this is a bad idea. Send it to a repair person. I killed a meter this way as have several friends.

lee\c
 
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MarkL

MarkL

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To find the rattle (mine rattled with a half broken switch contact spring), remove the screws under the serial number tag at the base. Maybe that is what you've done. Then, remove the viewfinder lens where your eye goes. Seems as though it unscrews somehow. Been a long time. Then the cover should come off.

The exposure dial finally fell off so I got a spanner wrench and removed the viewfinder lens, and removed the 2 screws on the underside of the meter. The top of the cover opens back but I can't seem to loosen the bottom of it. Can anyone tell me how to completely remove the cover so I can reattach the 2 tiny nuts that fell off inside?
 

Loose Gravel

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MarkL, it is not clear that you looked under the serial number. Are those the screws you removed at the bottom, or did you remove some from the silvery metal at the very bottom where the strap is? Look under the serial number.
 

bob01721

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The exposure dial finally fell off so I got a spanner wrench and removed the viewfinder lens, and removed the 2 screws on the underside of the meter. The top of the cover opens back but I can't seem to loosen the bottom of it. Can anyone tell me how to completely remove the cover so I can reattach the 2 tiny nuts that fell off inside?
I have a PDF of the service manual. Unfortunately, it's on my computer at home and I'm in Orlando now. If you can wait 'til Wednesday, I'd be happy to send you a copy.
 

blaze-on

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I have a PDF of the service manual. Unfortunately, it's on my computer at home and I'm in Orlando now. If you can wait 'til Wednesday, I'd be happy to send you a copy.

Remove the screw at the bottom of the back of the meter (straight down from viewfinder under the serial number sticker) That screw retains the bottom.
 
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MarkL

MarkL

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Thanks all. Tricky hiding that screw under the serial number sticker! Bob, I'd be happy to get a copy of the service manual.
 

bob01721

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Mark,

I'll get in touch with you when I get back home. My memory isn't the greatest anymore, so if you don't hear from me sometime Wednesday, please send me a reminder. My email address is "gentile (at) ix (dot) netcom (dot) com."
 

bob01721

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Mark,

You should have the PDF file by now. If it's not in your in-box (or if you have it but can't open it), please let me know and I'll re-send it.
 
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