r/filmcamerarepair

I recently picked up this Kiev 6C body for $40. It was a gamble because visibly it looks rough. I put it through the motions of testing a camera body without film and it appears to be in decent working order, mostly in need of a cleaning and new leatherette.

However, all but one screw for the top plate is missing and the handle for the door latch is missing as well. I'd like to get replacements. Does anyone know of a good source for these parts (I feel like the screws are easier to mix and match with other bodies), or better yet has some lying around catching dust? I already checked eBay, and there isn't much besides bodies and full kits at this time.

Thanks in advance!

Hii, just got the Horizon s3-u500 as new old stock but not sure if the shutter speed dial is working as it’s supposed to. As in the video it feels very loose and will feel like it catches or clicks on a shutter speed but if I continue turning the dial it will feel completely loose and won’t catch or click.

It only seems to reset the ability to click on a shutter speed when turning the dial once I press the release button and the shutter is cocked for the next exposure but will loosen again if turned more than the tiniest bit. Also it might be visible/audible in the video but it seems like the shutter slows down half way through its exposure before speeding back up towards the end. If either of these things are normal or need fixing, i’d be happy to hear any thoughts :)

Hi everyone!

Today I’m proud to tell you that I’ve completed my first CLA on a Canon AE-1 Program that I bought on Vinted Europe for 60 euros. It came with a Canon FD 50mm f/1.8.

I started by looking at the external condition. Then I tested the battery: everything was ok, the battery check button was working perfectly.

I tried looking through the viewfinder and something was off: I could see a haze and obviously a lot of dust.

Also, when firing the shutter I could hear the usual squeak of Canon AE-1 cameras.

The shutter curtains were also full of mold.

I then opened the bottom to test the magnets: everything ok, electronics and mechanics were perfect. Zero oxidation. I still cleaned as much as possible with an air blower.

After that I opened the top part, first removing the ISO dial on the left and the shutter speed dial on the right. There was some dust and dirt but everything was fine.

After removing the 4 front screws and the 6 on the top, I proceeded with the inspection of the circuits: tested with a multimeter = perfect.

I removed the viewfinder.

I desoldered the 3 wires of the top section and the internal ones.

Then I removed the leatherette and took out the screws from the battery compartment and from the compartment that holds the 2 wires (which also had to be desoldered).

I removed the mirror unit: lubricated the mirror and AE-1 mechanism and cleaned the contacts. Now no more squeak.

With isopropyl alcohol and cotton swabs I removed the mold present on the shutter curtains, and with the blower I removed dust and dirt.

After that, I reassembled everything in reverse order, making sure to clean every component while putting it back together with isopropyl alcohol (except those that need grease, which I didn’t use because I’m not yet experienced in that area).

Remember to clean the contacts of the ISO dial on the left by removing the ring and lifting the plastic piece. Same thing for the shutter speed dial on the right (it only has a central screw to remove).

For the focusing screen, I tried to clean it gently with distilled water and soap but nothing worked, so I believe it was scratched. I replaced it with another focusing screen from a donor camera; it’s a part you can find for around 15 euros online.

During reassembly, remember to clean the pentaprism (without removing it if possible) through the mirror unit (by removing the focusing screen) and through the viewfinder (by removing it of course). I always used isopropyl alcohol and cotton swabs, same for the viewfinder (be careful with its 4 screws).

To clean the body, always use isopropyl alcohol: if that’s not enough, use lighter fluid (Zippo, it removes anything).

- Shutter speeds tested (not with an official tester, but I’m saving up to buy one)

- Light meter tested with an external meter

The 3 problems:

- mold on the shutter curtains

- damaged focusing screen

- mirror squeak

RESOLVED :)

Cost: 60 euros for the camera, 15 for the screen.

With 75 euros you can take home a camera in great condition.

I don’t know if a CLA like this is done the same way in a shop—surely in a better way—but everything went well and I’m proud of it.

If you have any advice on how to improve, feel free to tell me.

As the title says.

I picked up an OM-1n from the flea market and have been taking it a part, cleaning it, repairing it, but I've run into an issue. My prism, when I put it back in the the camera head, seems to sit on the galvanometer stick. Causing it to not move.

Did i mess up putting this thing back together? Any help would be welcome. ​

Hi everyone,

I’m currently restoring a Leica CL and ran into an issue with the prism. The mirror inside the prism had gone blind (desilvered), so I carefully removed it and sent it to a company for resilvering.

Now here’s the problem: I didn’t document which side of the glass was originally coated, and I’m also unsure whether any of the other sides need to be blackened to prevent internal reflections.

I’ve attached some photos of the prism and mirror for reference.

Does anyone here have experience with Leica CL prisms or similar rangefinder/viewfinder assemblies?

Thanks in advance!

is it a necessary part? Should i be concerned?

Thanks!

Hi 👋

I recently bought a bunch of camera in great working condition just needed a bit of cleaning and light seals and in the buck there was a Rollei 35S in a lot with a Yashica mat 124g.

The lens couldn’t lock in the position so I couldn’t test the shutter.

After a bit of disassembly I’m deep into the camera and I found this lever in red it feel hard and somewhat a bit bent (2nd picture) I can push it and retract the lens.

Then a deploy the lens and it’s hard to lock I need to push the lever by hand to lock it.

Any tips or images on how it should look ? I found some images and videos of Rollei 35 but it’s not the same as mine.

I can add more details if needed.

Pardon my English.

I bought this camera off FB marketplace today for 80 dollars. Everything looked great but I didn’t catch this. The corrosion looks a bit better after I used some vinegar on it. But the batteries are completely stuck. Is there a feasible way to remove the batteries and would anything be ruined because of it?

Hello all,

I recently bought a film camera, so I am a complete beginner and am still learning the basics, including the camera's components. As you can see in the picture I have attached of the lens of my camera, you can clearly see a filament, I honestly ignore what it is exactly, and I was wondering if it would appear in the pictures or affect their quality.