DIY CLA for a dead self timer?

[spiderfrank]

Hi everybody, I have a baeutiful Zeiss Ikon Nettar (1949) : yesterday the self timer decided to stop working bzzzz bzz bz bzzz bz bz .... bz .... Nothing!

I think i should open the "front group" and take a look, so I'm here to ask for tips / tutorial / etc...

Thank you

Franco

 

[spiderfrank]

toc toc... Is there anybody out there?

 

[fidget]

Hi Franco,
I can't help with detail on how to CLA your self timer, but I suggest that you don't use it. In several references to the self timers on folders I have read that they are notoriously weak and in many cases can lead to the shutter hanging up.
Probably like you, I had wanted to use them to give a smooth shutter release rather than take pictures of myself.

My Moskva will run on all speeds except the fastest (which it was never intended to do even when new) but I have given up using it for the fear that it might lock up. Other folders like my Isolettes have a self timer, but it's not worth trying it.

Have a read of some of the sites dedicated to folders...
If you have a go, good luck, let us know how you do.

Dave..

 

[Solinar]

I agree with Dave - this feature is best left alone - if all else is works.

To get to the clockwork for the self-timer, you will need to remove the lens from the shutter assembly, then remove the shutter fascia and maybe the outer shutter speed selection ring. At that point, you might as well remove the shutter from the front standard for an all out cleaning. Keep in mind that - you'll have to re-collimate the lens upon reassembly.

http://www.rolandandcaroline.co.uk/repair/prontors1.html offers a nice tutorial on your shutter. After cleaning the shutter with naptha - you'll have an opportunity to put one micro-droplet of synthetic oil on the axle pins for each gear of the timer's clockwork. This micro-droplet dangles from the tip of a sewing needle.

If you get sloppy or feel the need to use two micro-droplets oil per axle of the clockwork's gear train - you may find yourself having to start the cleaning process all over, because if any oil gets on the leaf-shutter blades - you'll wind up with a sticky shutter.

 

[FallisPhoto]

Keep in mind that - you'll have to re-collimate the lens upon reassembly.

Not necessarily. There is an old trick: use grease pencils or china markers to mark everything's relative position before taking it apart. Then you just have to line up the marks upon reassembly.

If you get sloppy or feel the need to use two micro-droplets oil per axle of the clockwork's gear train - you may find yourself having to start the cleaning process all over, because if any oil gets on the leaf-shutter blades - you'll wind up with a sticky shutter.

Amen. Better no oil at all than even one drop too much, and the shutter blades are not the only places that it can cause problems.

 

[FallisPhoto]

Hi everybody, I have a baeutiful Zeiss Ikon Nettar (1949) : yesterday the self timer decided to stop working bzzzz bzz bz bzzz bz bz .... bz .... Nothing!

I think i should open the "front group" and take a look, so I'm here to ask for tips / tutorial / etc...

Thank you

Franco

Which shutter do you have?

 

[ZeissFan]

If it's a Nettar, then it's probably attached to a Prontor shutter (possibly a Telma). Neither are difficult to service.

If the shutter hasn't been serviced, then it's a good time to give it a thorough flush.

What you'll probably have to do is to recollimate the lens upon reassembly.

 

[FallisPhoto]

If it's a Nettar, then it's probably attached to a Prontor shutter (possibly a Telma). Neither are difficult to service.

If the shutter hasn't been serviced, then it's a good time to give it a thorough flush.

What you'll probably have to do is to recollimate the lens upon reassembly.

Assuming that the lens is working properly now, you can use a china marker to mark each of the lens element's position relative to the other elements and to the shutter and then just line up the marks upon reassembly. However, if it is off now (and a lot of them are), then collimation is going to be necessary.

If it is a Prontor S (Klio), here are some pretty good notes on servicing it: http://www.rolandandcaroline.co.uk/repair/prontors1.html I have links to another web page on servicing different types of Prontors, but the website is down now. Just in case it is up later though: http://pheugo.com/cameras/index.php

 

[BrunoK]

FallisPhoto,

Thanks for the links.

 

[spiderfrank]

thank you all, guys, I'll save this topic for the future!
Now the selftimer is working "like new" (better than when I bought the camera). I don't know why, but after some hours of trip under the seat of my scooter (yes: a lot of vibrations), the selftimer was perfectly working, smooth and without any uncertainty. I think there was some "blob" of old grease, or dust that was removed by the vibrations, like a sort of cheap "ultrasonic cleaning" :-D

Ciao
Franco

 

[chippy]

well done! must remember that.

no doubt for a larger size shutter or a shutter with bigger problems they need a ride under the seat of a Harley