35RC Disassembly PICS

RobScumaci · Feb 27, 2008

I started the overhaul of my 35RC tonight. It worked great, but no juice to the meter, and it needed a cleaning badly, so I'm disassembling and cleaning and then reapplying new leatherette. Hopefully I'll find the source of the meter problem as well. I've loaded some pics of the beginning of the disassembly on my .mac website. Feel free to download, share, etc...if it will help you out with your own project. If you want a pic of something specific while I do the work shoot me an e-mail or PM and I'll try and help you out and take some pics for you or answer questions.

NEW PICS ADDED

Here is the link: http://gallery.mac.com/scumaci#100021

Rob

jesse1dog · Feb 28, 2008

Hi Rob
Could be an interesting and very useful sequence of photos - please keep shooting and add to the gallery. I've just picked up an Oly 35RC for 'peanuts' and of course it needs some attention. I'm about to remove the top to have a good look at the rangefinder which might be a bit brighter than it seems to be.

jesse

jgcraft · Feb 28, 2008

Rob, Great Pics, I wish I had them a month ago. Here is a link that I found most useful: http://rick_oleson.tripod.com/index-134.html I also found Matt Denton's site a great resourse: http://www.mattdentonphoto.com/cameras/rangefinders.html

Good Luck!

George

RobScumaci · Feb 28, 2008

Thanks guys, I hope it helps the nest guy. George, I have looked at rick olesons site. Thanks for the denton link as well.

jgcraft · Feb 28, 2008

I forgot to add this. I had 2 meter problems. The first was a corroded wire on the meter (bottom plate) and the second was the contacts, on the right side beside the lens, were stuck together. I simply separated them with a tooth pick and the meter fired to life. I couldn't tell from the angle of the pic if you have the same problem. Just FYI.

George

eric · Feb 28, 2008

That's a BRILLIANT pin spanner!

RobScumaci · Feb 28, 2008

Thanks George.

Thanks Eric - it works wonderfully if you slide the brads in as far as you can.

RobScumaci · Feb 29, 2008

George - can you describe this better for me, I'm not sure what I am looking for. You mean the contact on the right as you face the camera? The small pin and the rod that contacts the pin when you turn to A?

jgcraft said:
I forgot to add this. I had 2 meter problems. The first was a corroded wire on the meter (bottom plate) and the second was the contacts, on the right side beside the lens, were stuck together. I simply separated them with a tooth pick and the meter fired to life. I couldn't tell from the angle of the pic if you have the same problem. Just FYI.

George

jgcraft · Mar 1, 2008

That's the one. It works off a cam that moves the contact to make contact in the "A" position. Mine was stuck so that when you turned to off it stayed in place. In fact it never moved even when you turned it to f22. As I recall there is an indentation in the stationary side of the contact on the right and it was inside that indentation. I looked at several web sites but I cannot find a picture to refer you to, but I think you are looking at what I was talking about.

It also looked like the wire was soldered on the light meter but when I used a tooth pick to make sure it was solid it came off. If you haven't experienced this on old cameras, I never trust any of the connections. Most of the time this is what I find on non-working meters.

Hope this helps.

George

mjflory · Mar 1, 2008

Rob, those are great pictures. Thanks!

RobScumaci · Mar 2, 2008

Thanks George, I know what you are referring to. I'll take some closeups and post those some time this week.

Thanks again.

jgcraft · Mar 3, 2008

Rob,

I took a second look at the last pic and the contact is not stuck like mine was. I can't see the contact on the right but for sure they are not stuck together. Looks like the camera was stored somewhere really damp or got dunked once. I see rust and lots of fungus. You may want to pull the meter and see what it looks like. Careful of the small arm that links the mechanism with the lens. I would test every connection. I purchased a volt/olm meter from Harbor Freight for $3. Great buy if you have one close. Not on sale I think they are still only $4. I have found it invaluable to check out wiring.

Good Luck

George

RobScumaci · Mar 3, 2008

It smells like a fireplace - I think it was stored on a mantlepiece. Amazingly, it works perfectly, except for the meter. I have an old volt/olm meter from my highschool days (President of the A-V squad LOL) so I spent some time soldering in my younger days. Now I just need to remember how to use it.

I checked the contacts and they move nicely, and them seem to engage when they are supposed to engage. I suspect it's a juice issue and there is a lose connection preventing power from getting where it needs to.

Removing the meter is tricky. I can't figure out how to get it out without damaging the needle.

Scribo · Mar 3, 2008

Rob,

Thanks for posting this set of images. Between these and Rick Oleson's exploded diagram I got up the nerve to open my latest RC. It survived, and so did I.

A note for those who are trying this for the first time.

I first tried a substantial paper clip as an ad hoc spanner, figuring that it would resist twisting. I found, though, that the heavier gauge wire won't fit the tiny depressions. The thinner wire works better. You can mitigate twisting by holding the wires close to the end.

Also, don't forget the reverse thread on the timer lever!

jgcraft · Mar 4, 2008

Rob,

It's really not that difficult. Two screws and it comes out moving it towards the back so the doesn't get bent. Somewhere on the web I found a reference on how to get it out but I can't find it now. I also would remove the battery holder and check the wire underneath. I also read that it was a common corrosion problem.

George

RobScumaci · Mar 4, 2008

You are welcome Phillip. I have used so many free references on the net posted by others (and many here on this board) so I thought I would contribute in a way I was able.

George:

I got the meter most of the way out but was feeling some resistance, either from a wire underneath or the needle, so I backed off.

I am working on the battery holder, that wire looks suspect, but the screw is stripped, so I have to drill that out.

I'll take some macros soon and keep you all posted.

RobScumaci · Mar 4, 2008

Did you get anywhere yet? Let us know.

jesse1dog said:
Hi Rob
Could be an interesting and very useful sequence of photos - please keep shooting and add to the gallery. I've just picked up an Oly 35RC for 'peanuts' and of course it needs some attention. I'm about to remove the top to have a good look at the rangefinder which might be a bit brighter than it seems to be.

jesse

radiocemetery · Mar 4, 2008

Hey Rob,

The plastic battery tray or holder is glued into the camera body, there are also 2 pegs on the bottom of the holder that index into corresponding holes in the camera body. The screw does not fasten the holder to the body. The screw secures the wire to the holder and little clip in the bottom of the holder. The battery holder can be pried out and the wire, clip, screw should come with it. Of course the other end of the white wire will still be attached to the camera so some care is necessary here.

Steve West

jgcraft · Mar 5, 2008

Hey Rob,

Just one more thought. Since you said it smelled like smoke and it looks like it has sustained some moisture damage and the pictures of the meter make it look like it is corroded perhaps one simple test might help. Does the meter needle move freely when touched? It should bounce at the slightest touch. Just wondering if it is corroded and binding the needle.

George

jgcraft · Mar 5, 2008

Rob,

Another very helpful website I found when doing mine. http://feuerbacher.net/photo/frame.html?repair.html~Main

This shows the battery comparment deal.

George

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