Zenobia folding camera question

[wesen3000]

I bought a Zenobia folding camera for $10 the other day, and after cleaning the lens and repairing the bellows I really got to like the camera. It was also my first “repair” which made me really proud.

It turns out that the liquid tape I used to fix the bellows and the fragile state / reasonably large gashes didn’t work for too long, and I do want to replace the bellows entirely. Sadly, while the camera was in a surprisingly good state (dude kept it as mantelpiece and despite being a smoker, everything is working to spec), there seems to be a stripped screw. I need to remove the button that unlocks the folding bellows, and I think I need to unscrew it. Based on the shape of the indentation on the opposite side of the button, I think it might have been a screw, but maybe it also is something that is pressed/hammered in?

I wonder if somebody owning that camera could have a look at theirs and tell me what it is supposed to look like, and then further suggestions on how to open this so I can remove the bellows from the back plate. It all seems very tricky to access.

Ideas I have going forward:
- if this is indeed a screw, see if I can somehow access it and get a decent enough grip to use an extractor
- I might have to unscrew the actual folding mechanism from the body in order to have better access (?)
- somehow try to extract the screw from the top? I don’t mind destroying the actual button and use a replacement (I have a 3d printer)
- actually cut out the entire thing, possibly including the door lock, and replace it with a 3d printed part

I know it’s a lot of effort for am such a camera, but I actually welcome the opportunity to learn and due to it being my first “repair” it already has huge sentimental value.

I attached some photos.

Thanks!

 

[wesen3000]

Attaching a shot taken before any work, and a shot afterwards.

 

[Donald Qualls]

I have a Zenobia at home, I'll try to remember to look at it tonight and get back to you.

 

[Donald Qualls]

Okay, I got a good look at my Zenobia's door latch button. It looks to me as if the bottom end of the button shaft is riveted or staked in place in the upper end of the latch slide. It also looks like you'd have to remove the lens/shutter, bellows, and possibly the erecting frame to get access to try to fix it...

In other words, yours looks just like mine, unless the latch doesn't work right, I'd say it's fine.

 

[albada]

BTW, welcome to Photrio!

Mark

 

[wesen3000]

Thanks albada! Thanks donald for the answer.
According to https://www.photo.net/forums/topic/678037-zenobia-folding-camera-question/#comment-5966397 it should be possible to unscrew the top of the release button, but when I do it looks like the riveted screw turns along with it. Are you (if you want to try, no worries if not) able to twist it?

 

[Donald Qualls]

Are you (if you want to try, no worries if not) able to twist it?

I'll try to remember to give it a twist when I'm home.