Retina iiic Shutter Diagnosis?

Retina iiic Shutter Diagnosis?

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Is there any way to manually cycle the shutter without the film advance lever on a iiic? Not sure if the stuck shutter is a shutter problem, or if I need to disassemble the top plate and look at the cocking rack assy.

I would really rather not tear into anything extra I don't need to.

I've never found a way to do that unless the shutter is removed from the camera.

But... what do you mean by "stuck shutter". Is it stuck open, won't cock, or what? Does the wind lever move, or is it "stuck"?

Probably the most common reason for a "stuck" shutter on a Retina is the film counter not being reset.

Well,,, here we go. I"m an old electronics and hardware tech from the microfilm and computer generated micrographics days, so a shutter shouldn't really be all that bad an issue. I guess I should have put the current state of affairs in the original post.

So, a nice Retina iiic came to live at my house, shutter is "jammed". Self timer does not seem engaged, film advance works smooth, film counter is working, and has been set for something less than 20 exposures. A really tiny amount of stain on the shutter leaves. Front elements come off without issue. Is there any easy way to cock the shutter by hand without the film advance and rack? (from the front of the lens assy?).

It doesn't need film loaded to cycle the shutter does it? Just the film counter being reset and active?

There is no easy way to cock the shutter except using the advance lever. And, no, it does not need film... just a re-set counter.

When you cock the camera, does the lever move, or not? If it does, you should feel the shutter spring tension if it is moving the cocking arm in the shutter. If no tension is felt, or a grinding, or no movement at all... look at the rack. I suspect what you mean by "stuck" is that the cocking lever doesn't move at all.

The shutter is a beautifully designed shutter but fickle... it insists on being clean and properly lubricated. When working it is a wonderful camera with great optics. No matter what, you'll want to have the shutter overhauled. Good luck.

On the weekend project list is a quick pop the top and look at the rack. After that, I may go a bit further, the "GuyDownUnder" gave me a quick (well sort of quick) way to open the front of the shutter to manually cock it. We'll see how the weekend priorities go, but if it's not just the rack, I'm likely to box the thing up and off to Oz it will go to see the Wizzard.

I's a way cute little camera, be a lot of fun in my pocket and car. Always seem to leave the Linholf home,,, well,,, it's cold, or,,, I don't want to leave it alone in this neiborhood, same with the Nikon F. Maybe I'll just turn this one into a real user. Then I'll get attached to it and then it's back to the sortacamera that uses black magic to display pictures without paper.

(it doesn't have a soul, I think that's the reason I've never become attached to it).

If I feel like mousing up a shutter, I've got a stuck Poloroid early 110a that just might get the brake cleaner treatment ;-) (when in doubt,,, hose it out?)

Be careful - you may find that a Retina IIIc is a lot better than just a "cute camera"

Is it a IIIc, or a IIIC?

What lens is on it?

I've some experience with these. I have a IIc - 99% its a sticky shutter mechanism because you say the film advance is smooth. I sorted mine by removing the front element and then going in as far as exposing the shutter guts by unscrewing the speed ring retaining ring. Plenty of squirts of "contact cleaner" (like alcohol in a spray) and it freed up but tended to seize up again as I think I originally washed out any lube that was there. A few drops of watch oil on the likely moving bearings and mine has been good now for 1 year+. I wouldn't attempt a full shutter strip down. I also have a IIIS that I sent to Chris Sherlock when the string broke, and he sorted this - good service. I cant quite justify the cost for the IIc CLA tho' hence the DIY that seems to have done the trick for now.

It's a IIIc (small c) later model (guard on film release button). Really clean except for some sparkles in the front element, and a worn thru single spot on the front leather(ette?).

Rangefinder works good, plenty bright for me, it's got the Xenon on it,,, (I think), anyway, when I was doing all the lookie see on the internet, seems it was the standard 50mm f2.0 American lens. Film rollers clean and bright, no wear thru on the film platten, no tarnish/rust or much of anything inside the camera. Focus smooth and easy with no slop. Seems like a shelf Queen except for the wear mark from the everready case front.

Hard everready case in say a 7+ condition, snap still there, a bit tattered and the neck strap is broken. Meter shows movement with light,,, but no worries there, I've got the cute little Sekonic hot shoe mount one from the old days,,, don't remember the number right off hand, but it works fine and agrees with my Luna Pro. (with the last of my mercury cells :-( )

Big problem with me as a person,,, once I get attached to a camera, (gun, rc plane, fishing pole, whatever), I usually start taking care of it, which means it's usually not in the car when I would like to use it. Leaving me with the not to be discussed imaging product that has no soul to to the snapshooting with.

With some of the images and comments on the net, I'm thinking that I really don't want to mouse it up, but get it to user status and just do some shooting with it. Maybe just add a single yellow filter and either ilford or kodak asa 400 and use it as my attempt at the one lens, one film one developer one year gig. I know I'll stray,,, (I'm old, and I know Me), but it a good thought,,, right? Something like Tmax400 and Xtol?

Grif said:

I'm thinking that I really don't want to mouse it up, but get it to user status and just do some shooting with it.

Click to expand...

Yes you do... you really do!

As you look at the shutter, there is a small cylinder at the 10 o'clock position. Under this is a gear that rotates and tensions the shutter via a curved geared rack. If you remove this, you can tension the shutter by hand, but it's somewhat difficult.

If the shutter is serviced and reinstalled, the curved geared rack needs to be aligned correctly.

It's very difficult to say exactly what the problem is with the camera without seeing the camera. It could be the cocking rack under the top deck or something unrelated to anything discussed so far.

Be careful - you may find that a Retina IIIc is a lot better than just a "cute camera"

Click to expand...

I'm thinking that I really don't want to mouse it up, but get it to user status and just do some shooting with it

Click to expand...

(there was a url link here which no longer exists)

definitely *a lot* better than just a cute camera

Well,,, got it diagnosed over the weekend. Bad rack, and what feels like a really gummy shutter. Really can't cock it by hand without forcing. It's not over yet, but the trip to see the Wizzard is on hold for a bit. I'm good enought to do the rack replacement and timing using the notes on the Chris Sherlock page. So, it's looking like one of my many month projects.