Electro 35 GSN film advance lever jam

[imax]

Hi,

I'm new to the world of rangefinders and Yaschicas, although not old film cameras, and am enjoying rediscovering the joys of manual cameras and black and white film. And I've enjoyed reading the posts and discussions in this forum.

I've acquired an Electro 35 GSN that needs some repairs. I've fixed the jammed self-timer lever (I think, but can't check it because of the problem I describe below) and freed up the shutter blades (isopropyl alcohol), but haven't got to the source of the lack of power to the camera.

But I'm stuck on the jammed film advance lever. It will only move a quarter turn before striking something solid and stopping. It does not cock the shutter.

However, if I press the shutter button, it engages the locking pin at the bottom of the camera, and winding the advance lever releases that pin and it pops back up, so I think that's possibly not part of the problem. I've looked carefully under and around the connections under the lever, but I'm loath to dismantle the mechanism because of all the springs in there. I've applied isopropyl, but from the feel of the obstruction (it's very solid) I don't think it's sticking because it's dirty.

The film take up spool moves a little, but does not turn as much as the lever (a quarter turn).

Or could it be something in the shutter mechanism you get access to by taking the lens off?

Has anyone struck this before, and do you know what might be causing it? I don't mind pulling the camera apart as I'm not attached to it and it cost very little.

Cheers

Iain

 

[b1bmsgt]

Are any of the small plastic windows missing on the top of the camera? (The red and yellow over and under lenses or the clear window over the exposure indicator) I have run into a few cameras where one of these has popped out and jammed the winding mechanism. Sometimes they're hard to spot in the works if you're not looking for them.

The shutter release mechanism is totally independent of the winding mechanism, so that isn't the cause. If no windows are missing, look for something else jamming the works, either under the winding lever or under the bottom plate. There are gears in there that could cause trouble.

Good luck!

Russ

 

[imax]

Thanks Russ. It's good to know that the shutter and winder mechanism are separate. All the small windows seem to be in place, but I'll look carefully for any. I found a service manual last night for the GT model, and from the pictures of the innards of the GT and GSN, they seem mechanically identical. I guess I'll take the plate off and take my chances with the spring in there. Maybe I'll find a movement that's not returning to its resting position after the film is wound on. Fingers crossed for something easy!

Cheers
Iain

 

[b1bmsgt]

No need to worry about springs flying out or whatever when you take either the top or the bottom off. Yashica was nice in that regard. Everything is very modular. No booby traps are waiting for you... 😀
And yes, all the full sized Electro's are mechanically the same. (G, GS/GT and GSN/GTN)

Russ