Release button on Flexaret won't come back out

[anfenglin]

Hi!

I don't know where else to go so I'm asking you guys.
I put a new screen in my Flexaret Automat and as I was doing that, inevitably, some of the screws slipped off the magnetic tip of my screwdriver and fell into the bowels of the camera.
I shook them out apart from one, it got stuck somewhere in the focusing assembly.
I then had to dismantle the camera, took out the taking lens, then the front face. I found the screw, fixed everything together just to find out that the release button is on the same level as the front face, it won't come back out.
I can't for the life of me figure out how to get it back up again. There is no spring underneath it and nothing points to a broken one.
Does anybody have a repair manual or any inside as to how to fix this? Any help would be much appreciated.

 

[Michael L.]

In the Flexaret IV-VII models (the 'automatic' series) the film winding and shutter release are interlocked. Is it possible that the interlock mechanism in your camera was accidentally disconnected during your repairs?
I'm sure you already know that to operate the shutter with the camera back closed there needs to be film in the camera. With no film in the camera, you must open the back to fire the shutter.

Unfortunately I am not really familiar with the 'automatic' models, as I only have the "Standard" model (no frills, no automatics, less risk of things breaking). For your model, the below links may be helpful. Perhaps you already know them?

http://www.suaudeau.eu/memo/rep/Reparation_d'un_Flexaret_VI_Automat.html
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/classics/forum/messages/2/17561.html?1310772253
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/classics/forum/messages/2/25694.html?1352290914

Good luck!

 

[anfenglin]

Hey thanks, I knew the links, they don't offer anything new for me.
I know that for getting to the screw in the vicinity of the shutter release button you have to turn the wind knob so that some sort of metal thingy moves out of the way.
The question now being, is that the reason for the shutter button to stay down?
There is one repair shop in Görlitz here in Germany, they specialise in east german gear, especially Pentacon Six etc. Maybe they know a thing or two about Flexarets.
Otherwise I'll just disassemble the whole thing and hope for the best.
A repair manual would be of great help, so far, I have found nothing.
cheers