Aging RFs...Solutions ?

srtiwari

srtiwari

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Several of my RFs are slowly becoming non-functional- fading VFs, stuck shutters etc; things that merely keeping clean and dry aren't preventing. So, inspite of being cosmetically pristine, I now have a non working Konica S2, Yashica GSN, Ricoh 500G, Zorki 4, and a Canonet . And the list is growing. Professional CLAs on ALL will be expensive to do, and perhaps not wise anyway.
So, here's the dilemma. Do I sell the rest - (Oly XA, Konica III, Oly 35 SP, Minolta 7SII) while I'm ahead ? or learn some DIY skills and buy some 'Microtools'., and jump in armed with some repair manuals ? Whereas I have reasonable hands and eyes, and able to learn and 'tinker', I have no specific training or experience. I am willing to spend some time, as it sounds interesting.
Anyone with any advice- with or without experience ?

Subhash😱
 
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I think ones has to group the cameras....

- there will be the group of real gems, the ones you really love and want to keep forever (for me a couple of Nikon RF´s and Nikon SLR´s like the FM2n etc) - I will definately send them to a repair shop when needed and take that cost

- then there is the group of really great cameras which you like but do not necessarily want to keep "forever" at "any cost" (for me for example the Yashica GTN, GSN, CC etc) - here I will deciede on a case by case basis and be open to try some fixing myself

- and then there are all others where I will do nothing - give them away or just dump them...

/Jon
 
Ronald, these are as repairable as my M2, M3, M5, M6s, my Screwmount Leica and Canons, and the 501CM. The question is whether attempted DIY is a reasonable consideration, since they may not be worth the cost of repairing.
 
Olympus 35 SP & Minolta 7 SII & Konica III are definitely keepers. Last week an Olympus 35 SP went for $250 on the bay. A CLA would be much cheaper. Konica III are getting rare. A replacement would be more expensive than an overhaul. Olympus XA's run about $50-60 in condition unknown. Working they are $100. A working Konica S2 that has had a recent CLA is $75. A Canonet in excellent condition was sold for $175 by a respectful dealer although you can probably find them cheaper. A good working Yashica GSN has a very wide range. Those are prices that I have seen very recently. The others I do not know. To sum it up on the first group, although they are very good cameras with sharp lenses, they are not worth the professional cost of a major overhaul. (A simple CLA yes.) The second group is worth keeping. As far as repairs go it depends on the level of the difficulty of the repair. On extremely simple ones you can probably accomplish them. I had no difficulty unsticking a stiff focus ring on a Karat but on an Olympus Om-10 I am still looking for the screws. Since the cameras are no longer functional I recommend that you try a repair to determine your level of skill and interest in learning to repair them. This is a very long answer for a tentative yes.
 
It seems easy enough to me. In this order..

1) If a broken camera has a resale value to a collector as it is, sell it.

2) If the cost of repair is less than the price you could sell it for after repair, fix it and sell it.

3) If the cost of repair is more than the price you could sell it for after repair, throw it away.

4) If a camera is working, then if you want to use it use it, if you want to collect it keep it, otherwise sell it.

5) Throw it away.
 
Whats wrong with the Konica S2?

srtiwari said:
Several of my RFs are slowly becoming non-functional- fading VFs, stuck shutters etc; things that merely keeping clean and dry aren't preventing. So, inspite of being cosmetically pristine, I now have a non working Konica S2, Yashica GSN, Ricoh 500G, Zorki 4, and a Canonet . And the list is growing. Professional CLAs on ALL will be expensive to do, and perhaps not wise anyway.
So, here's the dilemma. Do I sell the rest - (Oly XA, Konica III, Oly 35 SP, Minolta 7SII) while I'm ahead ? or learn some DIY skills and buy some 'Microtools'., and jump in armed with some repair manuals ? Whereas I have reasonable hands and eyes, and able to learn and 'tinker', I have no specific training or experience. I am willing to spend some time, as it sounds interesting.
Anyone with any advice- with or without experience ?

Subhash😱
Click to expand...
 
If you want to tinker as a hobby, pick the least desireable camera and try your hand.
So many of the old fixed lens RFs out there just aren't financially worth the cost of a trip to the repair guy. So, you're left with either learning to fix them yourself or setting them on the shelf to gather dust.
Here's a third idea...you could find someone that does tinker and repair and just give them away. Perhaps they'll find another life and you'll be doing a good thing.
 
There is a huge difference in the build of different cameras. Taking apart a cannonet to clear an inner element was very difficult. Tiny screws, tight spaces, complex design. Taking apart my autocord is a pleasure! Yeah, I know the Autocord is medium format... but still. I would NEVER take apart my FM2n, nor a zoom lens, nor a lens with floating elements. But, I will tinker with a prime. I would never (again) open a 35mm rangefinder, though I will take the top out to adjust the rangefinder. I will never (again) dissasemble the shutter of ANY camera, though I will remove the lens from the shutter for cleaning (think folders here).
 
As an alternative to 'throw it away', offer it here or on other boards free for the cost of postage, as a parts camera. There is a need for parts for these old cameras.. for instance, our own greyhoundman can use your parts camera(s) to build a working one.
 
FWIW, minor repairs and cleaning are often not that difficult. A set of small screwdivers from Radio Shack, some Windex, and some grease-dissolving Ronsonol lighter fluid can do wonders. There are some very good repair sites and forums with specifics on many common problems.

I have no previous experience with this kind of repair, but in the last few months I've been going through my shelf of non-working cameras (none of which are valuable or rare) and trying to bring them back to life, or at least diagnose the problems for later repair when I have more practice. So far I'm not doing too badly.

I'll also second fraley above. Consider giving away before throwing out. Cheap or free parts cameras are always in demand.
 
Before throwing away that Ricoh 500 G, please send it to me. I have a working one and, in the worse case, I could be using it "for parts". (Maybe you could even have it repaired for free.)
 
And after all the potential new owners have passed over the undesireables, someone would/could convert some to pinhole- & still keep them out of a landfill.

Remember fading RF focus can be helped with the dark marker dot trick (Rick Oleson/Olesen/Olsen and others).

Murray
 
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