Agfa Ambi Silette Film Wind Lever and Shutter Release Jammed

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dagabel

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Bummer.

I have the first generation model of this camera which was CLA'd last May. Yesterday I was exercising the slow shutter speeds between rolls of film and all of a sudden the film wind lever kind of "loosened" from the camera body and at the same time became very sticky in the winding motion. Then, after a few more shutter releases both the lever and the shutter release button jammed entirely.

Please give me hope - this is my only rangefinder (I can go back to my SLR for now, but I'm not really chomping at the bit to do so)! Anyone know if this is going to be an expensive repair?

Thanks,
Duane
 
There are some repair diagrams online (search here, I think they were linked in a post in one of the forums). The page is in Japanese from memory but the diagrams may help. Given how cheap the bodies are it might be a better option to buy another, unless the camera has some emotional attachment for you (mine has)...
 
Thanks, Terao - you're right about the repair vs. replacement cost. I had completely forgotten about this link; thanks for reminding me about it. I'm not very handy, but I think I'll jump in and try a do-it-yourself repair.

In the meantime I'm shooting with my Canon FTb SLR, and enjoying the sharp Canon FD lenses. I love the Agfa, but the images sometimes seem a little soft (I would shoot with the 35mm most of the time). I'm interested - how do you think the Agfa glass compare to your other RF lenses?

Thanks again for the link,
Duane
 
Well, I've not shot the camera with modern film to compare like with like but they did a fine job on the massively slow stock that my Dad used in the '60s. I've done 4000dpi scans of those shots and they're pretty good, but not comparable to modern multi-coated well-corrected lenses. There's nothing wrong with a bit of a glow though...
He shot the 50 as it was the only lens he had, like you I would shoot the 35 if I used the camera regularly (its too precious to risk in many situations...)
 
I think this shows the perfomance of the 50 fairly well - from a 45yo kodachrome source! Oh and he informs me that this was an unmetered shot, he didn't buy a meter until after this trip. Sunny 16 does a good job it would seem 🙂

 
Nice shot, Terao (I saw it before it disappeared from the thread). I'll keep my eye out for another Ambi Silette body. Jurgen Kreckel (certo6 - the MF folder guy) had a couple of them on eBay earlier this year and maybe I'll get in touch with him. He CLAs them usually before sale.

Sunny 16 - that's my latest project!

Take care,
Duane
 
Duane

Sorry to hear about your problems with your camera. I can't help in that department. I was just given an Agfa Super Silette-L with a fixed color-solinar 50/2.8 lens. I think it is the same lens that can be had for yours. Anyway, I ran a quick roll of film through it to check it out and was not disappointed. I think that they are still pretty decent lenses even by modern standards and would not hesitate to use one. Best of luck in solving your camera troubles.

Bob
 
Well, I got a reprieve! My father-in-law generously has let me use his Ambi Silette on permanent loan. Now I can start thinking about rangefinder projects again. When I have time, perhaps I'll crack open my jammed body just to see what's up.

Thanks for your comments, Bob and Terao -
Duane
 
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