Agfa Karat IV

K

kendle

Newbie
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2:29 PM
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Oct 15, 2007
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Hi, I am a total newbee, this is my first post, and I am repeating it with corrections. I am not even sure where to post this question, so please be patient with me. I just purchased a near mint Agfa Karat 35 mm folding camera. It had the usual problem of a very stiff, almost un-move able focus ring. I read in this forum, that you can use lighter fluid on the focus mechanism to free it up. I did this and it worked fine. The only problem is that now the shutter does not work. The linkage is working fine but the shutter does not. I think it may have been inconsistent before I fixed the focus, but I also cleaned the film advance lever with a little lighter fluid, and I think that is when the shutter stopped.

The person, Bill Mattocks I think, also mentioned something about the flash settings and that Y was a self-timer which should not be used because somehow that may damage the shutter, I may have inadvertently moved that as well.\

I realize that I could take this to a camera repair shop, but I want a home remedy if possible, please help. Thank you and Regards, Kendle.
 
Last edited:
Thank you Eli, I appreciate your response. This in my first post. I just joined this forum a few days ago and I was beginning to think that I was not posting in the correct place. Your response is the first and only so far.

Is there a better forum here to be posting this question? There was a lot of good information on the repair and cleaning of this camera by Bill Mattocks I believe it was, but he has not seen my post.

Thanks again, Regards, Ken.
 
Is there a better forum here to be posting this question?
Click to expand...

Well, there is the repair forum here and at least one good repair forum on Yahoo Groups. Also APUG is a good place to look about. A number of people here are on these other forums and eventually you'll get some answers if you persist and make a good effort at searching back posts.

Let me ask, have you a good selection of small tools yet? I happen to be partial to the Kronus tools at Radio Shack. The small set here is very nice and it includes bits for non-Philips and flat screws, http://www.radioshack.com/product/i...&cp=2032058.2032236.2032314&parentPage=family Also nice are the Kronus sets of metal Philips, and flat screwdrivers, ratchet driver, etc.

Radio Shack puts these on sale on a regular basis so it's possible to put together a comprehensive set of small tools for a reasonable price.

Eli
 
Hi Eli,

Thanks again for your help. Yes, I do have a good set of tools, and have some minor experience with their use.

How do I search back posts? I have been just running through everything until I locate my post, there must be a quicker method. Sorry for my lack of knowledge here, but I just joined this forum a few days ago and have a lot to learn.

How do I locate the repair forum and pug forum?

Thanks again Eli, for all of your kind assistance, Regards, Ken.
 
Just look to the left of the RFF pages and read down the forum list for "repair forum."

APUG is at APUG.org.

Searches are sort of hit and miss so try different key words like Karat, Agfa Karat, etc in the drop-down search box above. I've had trouble when using more than one or two words in a single search request, so go slow and see what comes up. Also take time to look at the similar thread suggestions at the bottom of pages.

Eli
 
kendle said:
Hi, I am a total newbee, this is my first post, and I am repeating it with corrections. I am not even sure where to post this question, so please be patient with me. I just purchased a near mint Agfa Karat 35 mm folding camera. It had the usual problem of a very stiff, almost un-move able focus ring. I read in this forum, that you can use lighter fluid on the focus mechanism to free it up. I did this and it worked fine. The only problem is that now the shutter does not work. The linkage is working fine but the shutter does not. I think it may have been inconsistent before I fixed the focus, but I also cleaned the film advance lever with a little lighter fluid, and I think that is when the shutter stopped.

The person, Bill Mattocks I think, also mentioned something about the flash settings and that Y was a self-timer which should not be used because somehow that may damage the shutter, I may have inadvertently moved that as well.\

I realize that I could take this to a camera repair shop, but I want a home remedy if possible, please help. Thank you and Regards, Kendle.
Click to expand...

Sounds like you got fluid on the shutter blades. If this persists, you need take out front and rear lens to expose the blades and clean them gently with soft tissue. you might nee to apply more fluid with q-tip and gently wipe blades, cocking and firing shutter often until no evidence of fluid in on them...
 
Hi dmcrite,

Thanks for your kind response. I checked the shutter blades, and they are free and dry. The problem seems to be inside the linkage or at the advance lever. The linkage seems fine, but maybe something came loose or broke in the shutter cocking mechanism, what do you think? Thanks again, Regards, Kendle.
 
kendle said:
Hi, I am a total newbee, this is my first post, and I am repeating it with corrections. I am not even sure where to post this question, so please be patient with me. I just purchased a near mint Agfa Karat 35 mm folding camera. It had the usual problem of a very stiff, almost un-move able focus ring. I read in this forum, that you can use lighter fluid on the focus mechanism to free it up. I did this and it worked fine. The only problem is that now the shutter does not work. The linkage is working fine but the shutter does not. I think it may have been inconsistent before I fixed the focus, but I also cleaned the film advance lever with a little lighter fluid, and I think that is when the shutter stopped.

The person, Bill Mattocks I think, also mentioned something about the flash settings and that Y was a self-timer which should not be used because somehow that may damage the shutter, I may have inadvertently moved that as well.\

I realize that I could take this to a camera repair shop, but I want a home remedy if possible, please help. Thank you and Regards, Kendle.
Click to expand...

Sounds like you might have used a little too much lighter fluid there. What has probably happened is that some of it got on the blades, and when it dried out, it deposited its load of grease/oil.
 
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