35SP - stiffness

[kuvvy]

Just got an Oly 35SP from a 96year old guy who can no longer use rangefindeer focussing.
It's in very nice condition and fully functioning. However, my one concern is the stiffness in the shutter and aperture rings. Rotating theses dials needs a bit of effort and I am concerned that I may cause some damage to the camera by the constant 'twisting'.
I don't know if the stiffnes is due to lack of use (it's possible it has been used on auto mostly) or over use.

Not being a great DIY expert can anyone tell me how to solve this? Can these rings be loosened/lubricated without dismantling the camera or sending to a repairshop?

Any suggestions welcome.

Paul

 

[taffer]

Paul, in my experience the shutter speed ring on the Oly SP is a bit stiff as well, but that seems a common issue, mainly on the slow speeds zone.

The aperture one oth turned ok on mine, with well defined click stops but as you say it may have something to do with being used only in Auto mode.

I'd suggest to run a roll and check results and also see if with use those rings get better.

Btw, 96, whew !

Oscar

 

[kuvvy]

Oscar, after starting this thread this morning I did as you suggested and went out to shoot a roll.
Drove out to a local beauty spot, loaded up the camera and lo and behold another problem arises.
The film just winds on and on. The shutter fires OK when pressed but if I don't fire it simply winds and winds. What's the problem with this guys. I'm not having much luck am I?

I had my XA with me so set off walking the 3 miles around the lake anyway. Left the SP in the car.

Paul

 

[Solinar]

It truly sounds like this 35SP is dire need of CLA. The wind on problem could be either a broken spring in the winder assembly or simply one that has jumped its keeper.

http://www.zuiko.com

P.S. The shutter ring is normally a bit stiff and even more so when moving to 1/500th of a second or any of the slows shutter speeds. By the way, I usually don't leave the shutter ring in 1/500th of a second position or on a slow shutter speed when storing the camera.

 

[kuvvy]

Thanks for your advice Andrew.

I knew it would be too true to think I had a bargain.

The shutter speed ring is quite stiff. The aperture ring is not too bad when rotating to the left but very stiff when rotating it back to the right.
Can't return it without moving the shutter dial too.

Looks like a CLA may be the answer.

Can anyone recommend a good repairman in the UK. My regular guy has unfortunatley decided not to work on the older models now as he has more than enough work repairing newer models and digitals. Shame as he was good and the price was reasonable. Any recommendations?

Paul

 

[Solinar]

I'm in Austin, Texas, but have had dealings with Luton Camera Services before the dollar dropped precipatously against the Pound and was quite impressed with their work on a Oly 35RD.