HELP!! : Fixing Lens Wobble: Minolta Hi-Matic 7s

[denmark.yuzon]

Hi you guys, im new here.. and new to the world of rangefinders.. im more of a Nikon SLR user until my uncle, upon learning that im into photography.. he sent me a very nice Minolta Hi-Matic 7s.. all the shutterspeeds sound ok to me, even the self timer works after i accidentally tripped it to V.. goodness..

the lens has some scratches to it, i assume my uncle didnt use any filters for it.. the body is very nice, like straight out of the box.. the light seals, i dont know, im still waiting for my negatives to see if there were light leaks..

so anyway, when i got it, the shutters wont fire.. but, when i gently lift, and somewhat align the wobbly lens with the body, the shutters easily fire.. i assume the shutter release failure is due to the wobbly lens.. but, its not 100% shutter release fail free... sometimes, i still have to press the shutter release a few times, sometimes, its as quick as hell..

so any of you guys here know how to DIY this problem? or its more likely to go to a service center? i know the design is very much complex.. but can you DIY this without destroying my one and only RF?

 

[denmark.yuzon]

please help me guys.. thanks!

 

[KenD]

If you are new to rangefinders and camera repair do not start taking a Himatic 7s apart. Trust me, I know. It is very easy to end up with a wonderful salad of tiny screws, springs, levers, etc., and no idea what connects to what. Either send it out or get something like an Argus C-3 to play with and gradually work your way up to the 7s.

 

[denmark.yuzon]

yes i am new.. thanks KenD.. i wont tinker with it anytime soon.. i thought, it was just tightening screws here and there.. it still works.. i guess, i have to have it serviced sooner or later.. thanks!

 

[denmark.yuzon]

hi.. i just got my scans from the lab.. thank God, no light leaks.. but the focus is a bit fuzzy.. maybe because of the wobbly lens or the lens calibration.. im disappointed.. now i have to send this to a repair/service center for a good CLA.. and i have to get the lens re fastened properly.. damn!