I purchased a 645N with an autofocus lens included. I have not film tested it yet but am thrilled with the feel of it in the hand and the viewfinder.
My 645N came with both the shutter speed and exposure compensation dials broken off. This is a common problem with the model and the condition was fully disclosed by the seller.
Luckily, mine came with all parts included. 2 dials, 2 rotation lock buttons, and 2 rotation lock button springs. The springs remained in the dial assembly and did not seem likely to fall out on their own but others have said it is possible.
I read the available material about the repair options. I do not fancy a 3D printed replacement and I do not care to disassemble the camera in order to execute a solution with the original screw attachment although I think if you did then you could replace those screws with longer ones and drill up into the dials deeper and that would make a more durable repair. You could even drill all the way through the dials and use a nut and bolt with one end of the fasteners exposed on the top of the dial and this would be the strongest although it would be visibly modified.
But since I don't care for that I decided to use super glue. I don't believe using contact cement is really a viable way to make the repair reversible because how would you even soak that cement in the naphtha if you ever wanted to dissolve the cement back out.
The broken screw bosses that remain in the actuating assembly of the dial can move up and down in their bore but they don't need to during final operation. I used tweezers to elevate them all so the bosses sat resting as high as possible in the bore. The bosses still have the original screws in place that hold up the metal washer below.
For each dial I placed 6 drops of super glue, 3 on the broken surfaces in the dial and 3 on the broken surfaces of the bosses. I dropped enough that the droplets rose just slightly up into a concave liquid surface.
Having practiced this before, I placed the dial onto the dial assembly with the button piece in place allowing the button piece arm to sit into the dial top's recess which clocks the dial into the correct orientation and perhaps also acts as a key to transfer the rotational forces in operation.
Once the dial was acceptably seated I repeatedly pressed on the button to confirm that it remained free and prevent any small amount of glue from seizing it up. One side did try to seize on me a little bit and this probably means I used a slightly excessive amount of glue.
I walked away at that point to write this post and I'll go back soon to find out if the repair was successful. Or whether it was initially successful at least, time will tell if the dials just get knocked off again.
My 645N came with both the shutter speed and exposure compensation dials broken off. This is a common problem with the model and the condition was fully disclosed by the seller.
Luckily, mine came with all parts included. 2 dials, 2 rotation lock buttons, and 2 rotation lock button springs. The springs remained in the dial assembly and did not seem likely to fall out on their own but others have said it is possible.
I read the available material about the repair options. I do not fancy a 3D printed replacement and I do not care to disassemble the camera in order to execute a solution with the original screw attachment although I think if you did then you could replace those screws with longer ones and drill up into the dials deeper and that would make a more durable repair. You could even drill all the way through the dials and use a nut and bolt with one end of the fasteners exposed on the top of the dial and this would be the strongest although it would be visibly modified.
But since I don't care for that I decided to use super glue. I don't believe using contact cement is really a viable way to make the repair reversible because how would you even soak that cement in the naphtha if you ever wanted to dissolve the cement back out.
The broken screw bosses that remain in the actuating assembly of the dial can move up and down in their bore but they don't need to during final operation. I used tweezers to elevate them all so the bosses sat resting as high as possible in the bore. The bosses still have the original screws in place that hold up the metal washer below.
For each dial I placed 6 drops of super glue, 3 on the broken surfaces in the dial and 3 on the broken surfaces of the bosses. I dropped enough that the droplets rose just slightly up into a concave liquid surface.
Having practiced this before, I placed the dial onto the dial assembly with the button piece in place allowing the button piece arm to sit into the dial top's recess which clocks the dial into the correct orientation and perhaps also acts as a key to transfer the rotational forces in operation.
Once the dial was acceptably seated I repeatedly pressed on the button to confirm that it remained free and prevent any small amount of glue from seizing it up. One side did try to seize on me a little bit and this probably means I used a slightly excessive amount of glue.
I walked away at that point to write this post and I'll go back soon to find out if the repair was successful. Or whether it was initially successful at least, time will tell if the dials just get knocked off again.
