S3 disassembly

[KG6AJH]

Hi! Thanks for the add. I am trying to fix grandpa’s S3. I am attempting to remove the top plate but none of the online guides are showing this exact model of camera.
From what I’ve seen I need to get the top plate off to clean or replace the rear viewfinder that is opaque and barely useable.

How do I get part this part?

 

[KG6AJH]

* how do I get past this part?*
That bottom brass ring cocks the mechanism but seems to be retained by the barrel on top.

The Richard Haw guide is not the same as this camera version unfortunately.

 

[splitimageview]

Wow, can you see anything at all through the viewfinder? Or is that just the lighting in the photo that makes it look opaque?

 

[Imakebadphotos]

So what you were disassembling is the automatic frame counter. I'd you want to remove the top plate. That brass ring that you unscrewed for the film advance lever can be removed by simply turning and lifting it out. Then you will see a retaining ring. That will need to be unscrewed. Then you need to unscrewed the small screw holding the A-R/ shutter button and unscrew the inner ring where you press the shutter button, then remove the screw holding the shutter speed dial and remove the dial. then you unscrew the little stopper in front of the cold shoe, after that you remove the screw holding the film rewind knob and remove the film rewind but make sure you do not lose any of those parts. After all that is removed, you can now take off the top cover. A thing to note is that when you put the top cover back on, dont over tighten it or you will effect the camera shutter speeds. Hope that helps.

 

[Imakebadphotos]

Oh and be mindful cleaning the rangefinder prism. The frame lines are etched and you possibly can clean off those framelines if you are not careful

 

[KG6AJH]

So what you were disassembling is the automatic frame counter. I'd you want to remove the top plate. That brass ring that you unscrewed for the film advance lever can be removed by simply turning and lifting it out. Then you will see a retaining ring. That will need to be unscrewed. Then you need to unscrewed the small screw holding the A-R/ shutter button and unscrew the inner ring where you press the shutter button, then remove the screw holding the shutter speed dial and remove the dial. then you unscrew the little stopper in front of the cold shoe, after that you remove the screw holding the film rewind knob and remove the film rewind but make sure you do not lose any of those parts. After all that is removed, you can now take off the top cover. A thing to note is that when you put the top cover back on, dont over tighten it or you will effect the camera shutter speeds. Hope that helps.

Thank you for your detailed response. What direction do I turn the brass ring? I assume it would be the opposite direction that the advance lever would move it?
I did notice it moved the opposite way a little bit but didn’t come free easily. It seems like the ring would barely clear the barrel although it may be possible. I will try again once I can confirm which way to turn that ring.
Thanks for your help.

 

[Duofold RF]

Rick Oleson Tech Notes now a free download

Hi! Just wanted to let everybody know that this week I’ve stopped selling my collection of camera repair Tech Notes after almost twenty years. They are now available as a free download, directly from my website at http://rick_oleson.tripod.com/ Rick :)=

rangefinderforum.com

Look at Rick’s note no S3 but SP can be used as reference.

 

[Imakebadphotos]

Its as easy as lining the gap of the frame counter and the brass ring and then just lift it up. I didn't mention this but your film/ shutter winder is using the same type that is in a Nikon F. The are practically interchangeable. The early sp/ s3 had a slightly different mechanism where the advance lever did not need to be screwed in to a brass ring.