adusting the dreaded Super Paxette

[retro]

I picked up a pretty Super Paxette IIBL at a camera show for
little money. It seems to work fine except the vertical alignment
of the RF is off.

I've read the dire warnings about removing the top cover of
this camera so I will pass on that.

But, I have read that some Paxette models have a removable
panel that allows access to RF adjustment screws without the
need to remove the entire cover. On this model the only
possibility of that appears to be be via removal of the accessory
shoe. But, I'm reluctant to even try that since this camera has
such an evil reputation for repair attempts.

So, my question is: does anyone here know if removal of
the accessory shoe (only 3 screws apparently) would allow
me access to some sort of RF adjustment mechanism?

 

[FallisPhoto]

Well, it is always possible, but -- since what you will have to adjust is going to be the angle of the mirror behind that window in the bubbled glass, and because the accessory shoe is not close enough to it to get at that area with anything but a very strange screwdriver indeed, I very much doubt that is going to work. Sorry.

 

[FallisPhoto]

I've read the dire warnings about removing the top cover of
this camera so I will pass on that.

BTW, I believe the only difficulty with the top is that, with the Paxette II models, it is glued on. Once you get it off, it won't be any more difficult to work on than any other rangefinder. You will have the added extra step of using acetone to get the top off though. Just make sure not to yank any wires loose as you wiggle the top off.

 

[retro]

Thanks for your input FP, I appreciate it. That's an excellent point
about the position of the shoe

To be on the safe side I think I'll find a junker to work on first
as this one is usable as it is and I'd hate to ruin it.

 

[bmattock]

You may be able to do some adjustments of the RF by removing the accessory shoe, I don't recall at the moment. I do know you can remove the shoe with no problems. There are a couple metal strips under the shoe that provide spring tension to whatever is slid into the shoe, but no worries there. I'd go ahead and remove the shoe, there either is or is not an adjustment hole for the RF there, I wish I remembered, sorry.

The tops are glued on for the Super II models, but I am not sure they are glued on for the IIB and IIBL models. The design is very different, so what's true for one may not be true for both.

That looks like a very clean example, it would be worth keeping if you can get the RF lined up. Good luck with it!

 

[FallisPhoto]

Thanks for your input FP, I appreciate it. That's an excellent point
about the position of the shoe

To be on the safe side I think I'll find a junker to work on first
as this one is usable as it is and I'd hate to ruin it.

You're welcome. One point to constantly bear in mind: You are almost certainly going to want to clean things up in there and that is fine -- go ahead and do it. DO NOT CLEAN OR EVEN TOUCH THE ANGLED SEMISILVERED MIRROR IN FRONT OF THE VIEWFINDER THOUGH. The "silvering" on it is deposited (and by now thoroughly oxidized) aluminum vapor, and it will stick to pretty much anything that touches it better than it will to the glass. Even a puff of air can blow it off. Leave that part strictly alone or you'll have to replace it.

 

[retro]

OK, thanks, you guys.

BTW, I have worked on RFs before and know not to touch
the mirror surface.

 

[FallisPhoto]

OK, thanks, you guys.

BTW, I have worked on RFs before and know not to touch
the mirror surface.

Just wanted to be sure you knew that. I work on them as a part of making my living, and I have had to replace a LOT of rangefinder mirrors that otherwise well-meaning people have "cleaned."