Rittreck View Camera Repair

jpreston · Jan 2, 2017

I purchased a Rittreck View 5x7 with 4x5 back several months ago over at the LFF. The bellows were in pretty sad shape (I knew this when I bought it), so I replaced them immediately. I haven't had many chances to get out and photograph with the camera until just recently. One thing I'm having issues with is that the upper rail (this is the rail on which the front standard rides) is very difficult to extend. When I try to move the knob that is supposed to extend the rail, the knob is very stiff and the rail barely moves.

Does anyone have any advice for how I can correct this issue? I really love the camera, but this is pretty annoying and inconvenient.

Thanks,

JP

bdial · Jan 2, 2017

Does the camera have a focus lock somewhere? If so, is it released?

outwest · Jan 2, 2017

Yes, it does. The focus knob is on the right end of the axle and the knob on the left end locks it.

Peter Schrager · Jan 2, 2017

Richard Ritter...the place for old tachihara cameras. ..no seriously Richard will fix it right

shutterfinger · Jan 2, 2017

From the pictures of the camera I find on a google search it uses a standard rack and pinion to move the rails out and in. The bed will have guide slots on either side of the rail that the rail slides in.
With the front standard fully retracted extend the rails as far forward as it will go. Turn the camera upside down and look at the bottom side of the rails. Clean the gear teeth and valleys with a good degreaser then apply a thin coat of light weight grease to the gear. Clean the bed guides with degreaser and apply a trace of the light weight grease. Apply a drop of light weight oil to the pinion at the bed mount blocks. Run the rails in and out a few times.
Degreasers such as Naphtha and Lacquer Thinner will damage non metal camera parts and may remove paint from metal parts. 90% Isopropyl Alcohol works well but is not as fast as the other two degreasers mentioned.
3in1 oil dries out and leaves a sticky residue as does WD40 which has been reported to work well as a cleaner.

jpreston · Jan 8, 2017

Thanks all. I did a little cleaning of the rails and added a drop or two of light oil to the rails and gear. Seems to be moving very smoothly now.

Eric Fili · Mar 17, 2017

Hello

Can someone tell me if parts( brass hardware etc) and possibly the base wood plate (as mine is cracked) are still available for a 4x5 Tachihara wood field camera, if not, any suggestion?

Thanks in advance
Eric

Leigh B · Mar 17, 2017

Mr. Tachihara retired last year, and closed his business.

- Leigh

Eric Fili · Mar 17, 2017

Leigh B said:
Mr. Tachihara retired last year, and closed his business.

- Leigh

Yes, I know( sad), that is why I was asking if there was another option to get parts

Eric Fili · Mar 17, 2017

Eric Fili said:
Yes, I know( sad), that is why I was asking if there was another option to get parts

Leigh B said:
Mr. Tachihara retired last year, and closed his business.

- Leigh

Thank you for your reply

shutterfinger · Mar 17, 2017

Get a small bottle of good wood glue, an ink refill syringe, and 2 wood clamps large enough to fit the edges of the base.
https://www.amazon.com/Titebond-141...UTF8&qid=1489793199&sr=1-8&keywords=wood+glue
https://www.amazon.com/Yost-13012-B...89793366&sr=8-24&keywords=wood+clamp+set&th=1
https://www.amazon.com/Duda-Energy-...e=UTF8&qid=1489793431&sr=8-6&keywords=syringe
Mix the glue with water no more than 1:1, fill the syringe, inject the wood glue into the crack, clamp, wipe off the excess that comes out of the crack, allow to cure for 24 hours.
The base should be good as new.

Eric Fili · Mar 17, 2017

Thank you so much for the advice Shutterfinger, I will try it

Eric Fili · Mar 17, 2017

shutterfinger said:
Get a small bottle of good wood glue, an ink refill syringe, and 2 wood clamps large enough to fit the edges of the base.
https://www.amazon.com/Titebond-141...UTF8&qid=1489793199&sr=1-8&keywords=wood+glue
https://www.amazon.com/Yost-13012-Bar-Clamp-12/dp/B015KP2FUC/ref=sr_1_24?ie=UTF8&qid=1489793366&sr=8-24&keywords=wood+clamp+set&th=1
https://www.amazon.com/Duda-Energy-...e=UTF8&qid=1489793431&sr=8-6&keywords=syringe
Mix the glue with water no more than 1:1, fill the syringe, inject the wood glue into the crack, clamp, wipe off the excess that comes out of the crack, allow to cure for 24 hours.
The base should be good as new.

May I ask why you need to mix the glue with water?

bdial · Mar 17, 2017

Eric Fili said:
May I ask why you need to mix the glue with water?

Unless the crack is very large, undiluted glue would not flow into it.
Another possibility would be a cyanoacrylate glue, but a wood glue is probably better. Cyanoacrylate glues don't do well with large gaps.

shutterfinger · Mar 17, 2017

Eric Fili said:
May I ask why you need to mix the glue with water?

To get it thin enough to flow to the bottom of the crack. You may need to apply some pressure to open the crack slightly while injecting the glue to insure the glue gets into the crack thoroughly.
I've done it before, works well.

Rittreck View Camera Repair

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