"Project cameras" - do you *actually* fix them up?

f/stopblues

f/stopblues

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Not too long ago I found a Canon VT and Summarit 50/1.5 at a camera store closing sale. It was a <gasp> impulse purchase, probably ill-advised because I didn't (and don't, I suppose) know the value of this stuff.

The camera clearly needs a little bit of work, but for the most part wasn't mechanically deficient. The shutter sounds great, viewfinder is reasonable, film advance smooth. However, the patch is off at infinity and the film door gets hung up when opening. Some paint loss, scratches.. all that normal stuff.

The Summarit I bought because it just looks cool 🙂 I've been using a Canonet for so long that this was a revelation to hold! Aperture and focus are buttery smooth. It has the typical cleaning marks and internal haze, though.

Now, I HAD the best of intentions! I intended to clean up and fix what I could and send it off for the rest and whammo! I'd have a great user. What ACTUALLY happened? I fondled it. It sat at home while I was out with my Canonet and folder. Now I've gotten to the point where I just don't want to mess with it. I guess I like being out shooting much better than dealing with equipment. At least I meant well!

Do you guys actually finish these little project cameras? I see evidence of it on the board from time to time; pretty new coverings, CLA's, etc. I wonder how many cameras and lenses just sit, though? It's those ones clearly not ready for the trash heap, but need a little TLC from the owner.

Maybe I need some motivation to get my butt moving to I can shoot with this kit. Maybe I just need to dump it and stick to my little ol' Canonet that works every time 🙂
 
I have started ignoring "project" cameras that I come across in the wild unless the price is extremely favorable. Last month it was a Rollei 2.8E with bad cleaning marks and a missing mirror in the hood. Right now I kind of feel that if I can't get a pro CLA and stay well below fair retail price for similar gear in similar condition, it's not worth it.

I did fix the Nikon S I got at the flea market though... that 50/2 Nikkor is a nice lens. I don't use it much though. Tough on the glasses with that squinty little finder.
 
Sounds like the camera is easy to fix, I would try if I were you. Just follow web instructions for the RF alignment, and see/fix what's wrong with the door. Then use it.

The Summarit is another story. It's like hunting mushrooms: stay away from what you don't know, depending on value of course (a nice Summarit is quite valuable). Old Leica lenses have very soft coating, so I leave haze cleaning for those lenses to a pro.

Roland.
 
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There was a time.....

There was a time.....

There was a time when I had much less time on my hands than I do now. I became really intrigued with project cameras. I did a few, and after the constant searching the rug for teensy screws, trying to remember the order of the parts, and not having enough time in one sitting to re-assemble, and also realizing that if I could put cameras back together, I could make more money working on watches and eyeglasses, I gave it up.

Now, if I see a camera that intrigues me as a parts camera, I go find the same camera that has been restored or CLA'd and buy it instead, for far less than the $20 for the project and the money I could have made fixing computers at $50 per hour (cheap and plenty of work out there). Shops get $80 to 100 hourly on computers. A few hours at even my $50 hourly rate buys some nice cameras in a hurry.

Bottom line... unless you are just inquisitive and slightly masochistic.... It's just not worth it.
 
I've only ever bought about half a dozen 'fixer-uppers' in 40 years, and then, only if I was reasonably sure I could fix them: 90% success rate so far.

Cheers,

R.
 
One sent for CLA so far, five more waiting in line. I'll probably only end up doing two more, maybe.
 
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Kin Lau said:
Did my wife pay you to post this?
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LOL. If not yours, then surely mine! 😀 😀

I just got cajoled into a slight cleanup at home. As to your question. Yes, if I can I do. But I can't do much, so I don't get anything I am not fairly certain I can work on. As you might guess, I don't get much. 😀
 
I have been pretty successful so far with projects, but I like to take things apart. Have done several cameras and lenses including Argus C4, FED 2, Olympus 35RC, Konica I, FED 3.5 collapsible, Industar 61, Summar. It is real important to have the right tools. Many tools you can make yourself, such as the special screwdrivers often needed. You also need a good workspace with adequate lighting. Document by drawings or digital photos the cameras that you take apart. Watch out for left hand threaded screws! I destroyed one of these on a Pentax because I didn't remember that that particular screw had left hand threads.

All in all, I guess that repairing vintage cameras is my therapy. I enjoy the challenge.

Steve
 
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no one's spouse will probably like this sentiment, but there are some cameras that i think it's cool just to have around, even with no hope of fixing them.

i found a '36 Fed NKVD that had been partially cannibalized for parts. i guess i could try and fix it, but it would mean cannibalizing a different fed-1

Anyway, the camera's place in European history and the glimpse at how the 1930s in Russia worked were worth it for me. I have a knick-knack shelf, and it has a place of honor there. it has yet to start a conversation, but I have high hopes

cheers
tim
 
Half the reason to fix up a fixer upper is that "cool factor". Some, but not all classics deserve to be restored and have their working life extended.

Others aren't really semi-classics, but none the less, I enjoy using them.

As I look at my folders below, the Agfa Record and Voigtlander Bessa II were not in usable shape when I got them. Each of them took me about a year working in spurts to get them back in top knick. The nice part of that is you wind up with a camera that you are familiar with what is actually happening inside as you work through the controls.

The other half of the equation is to wind up with camera that functions as new. With my Leicas I send them out for servicing. To have a properly functioning camera make a huge difference in use. If nothing else, there is the peace of mind factor.
 
f/stopblues said:
Do you guys actually finish these little project cameras? I see evidence of it on the board from time to time; pretty new coverings, CLA's, etc. I wonder how many cameras and lenses just sit, though? It's those ones clearly not ready for the trash heap, but need a little TLC from the owner.
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Yes, I do, provided the camera's shutter has all it's parts, that fixing it is within my capabilities and especially I'm not going to have to actually make a bellows (I can, but I don't like doing it -- my bellows don't always turn out perfectly, and I would just as soon avoid the potential for that particular frustration if possible).
 
I mentioned this in another thread, but after some fondling before I adjusted the alignment, I realized that there's an infinity lock detent on the lens! That means when I was focusing on infinity and it looked way off, it was because it wasn't clicked all the way over to the infinity lock. Once I did that, it snapped perfectly into alignment. Yay for user error!

Really the only challenge I have (besides cosmetics) is getting this film door to pop open. I have to pry it with my fingers right now. I think it's just bent or something. I'm going to take it for a spin this weekend anyway.
 
I've done minor stuff like light seals and RF viewfinder cleanings. And once I even took apart an SLR lens and fixed a stuck aperture. I have a few old Minolta SLR bodies that have intermentent shutter problems, and I've been meaning to fix them for a while now. It seems like the second curtain sticks causing overexposure on the left half of the frame. I'm starting think I got in over my head, because I have no idea how to fix this problem. If anyone has any tips for me, please send me a PM. Otherwise, I'll have to say, no, I don't actually fix my project cameras. 😀

Paul
 
Ah, I just "won" a Canonet GIII QL17. In worse condition than I thought it would be but it feels OK & I'm going to stick a film thru it this weekend.

There's a small scratch on the rear lens inside the camera - can't imagine how that got there, I'll soon find out of it has a detrimental effect on the shots. It also has one badly worn strap lug and a hole on the other side where the other should be. Are bits for fixer-uppers like this obtainable?
 
MickH said:
Ah, I just "won" a Canonet GIII QL17. In worse condition than I thought it would be but it feels OK & I'm going to stick a film thru it this weekend.

There's a small scratch on the rear lens inside the camera - can't imagine how that got there, I'll soon find out of it has a detrimental effect on the shots. It also has one badly worn strap lug and a hole on the other side where the other should be. Are bits for fixer-uppers like this obtainable?
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Sure. Might take some patience though. Parts turn up here all the time, but it might take a while for one of them to be a Canonet: http://photography.listings.ebay.co...QQfromZR4QQsacatZ30038QQsocmdZListingItemList Junk Canonets occasionally turn up in vintage cameras too.

Then the Classic Camera Repair Forum has a "Swap Zone" where you can advertize for the parts you need: http://www.kyphoto.com/cgi-bin/forum/discus.cgi

You might even ask in the RFF Repair forum.
 
I usually dont intentionally buy project cameras but it has turned out that way sometimes, like an iskra which was half the going rate took me a few evenings and several attempts to free up the shutter, adjust the rf, realign the focus helical, but it has just had a roll through it so fingers crossed on that one. A good percentage of my fsu cameras have needed some attention. Other than that I have converted a couple of old folders and a box browneye into pinhole cameras, but they were working to start with. Oh yeah I have a zeiss ikon 6x9 whose lens is out of whack, but I intend to use it as is for a roll or two because I like the look it gives, like a brownie lens wide open if you have ever tried that. I think that will be easy to fix, so I may fix it when I get sick of soft focus. So yeah I fix them, eventually.
 
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