Alpa 9d shutter advance knob removal

[dcshooter]

Hi everyone,

Has anyone here ever successfully removed the top cover of an Alpa 9D or similar model Alpa?

I have it all loose except for the shutter advance knob. I took off the reverse threaded screw/trim piece off the top, removed the tiny screws from the lever and lifted it off, and removed the two set screws in the silver piece shown in the attachment, which appears to be holding the shutter speed selector knob down.

This piece doesn't want to turn either clockwise or counterclockwise, nor does it want to pull off, and with the knob still on, the top plate is not removable. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Sarcophilus Harrisii]

Hi everyone,

Has anyone here ever successfully removed the top cover of an Alpa 9D or similar model Alpa?

I have it all loose except for the shutter advance knob. I took off the reverse threaded screw/trim piece off the top, removed the tiny screws from the lever and lifted it off, and removed the two set screws in the silver piece shown in the attachment, which appears to be holding the shutter speed selector knob down.

This piece doesn't want to turn either clockwise or counterclockwise, nor does it want to pull off, and with the knob still on, the top plate is not removable. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

I've done a 5, 7 and 11el/si. I've shot with a 9d, but not worked on that one.

It's hard to tell from your pic (although I do have one thought in mind). Any chance of a more detailed, brighter image from directly above it please?

What are you trying to do under the cover? Perhaps I might be able to offer some pointers.

 

[dcshooter]

Thanks for your reply! The photo is just a quick cell snap I took on my way out the door this morning, but I'll see if I can get you a nice well-lit macro shot by tomorrow. The holes at 1 and 7 o'clock had set screws in them that I assumed would allow the retaining ring to turn when removed (they didn't). The other 4 small holes were where the screws from the upper advance lever had attached.

The issues I am working on are a nonfunctional meter, debris between the prism and focus screen, and a stuck shutter release button.

 

[Sarcophilus Harrisii]

Thanks for your reply! The photo is just a quick cell snap I took on my way out the door this morning, but I'll see if I can get you a nice well-lit macro shot by tomorrow. The holes at 1 and 7 o'clock had set screws in them that I assumed would allow the retaining ring to turn when removed (they didn't). The other 4 small holes were where the screws from the upper advance lever had attached.

The issues I am working on are a nonfunctional meter, debris between the prism and focus screen, and a stuck shutter release button.

OK—you've already dealt with the set screws. I've encountered owners who'd simply put a peg spanner in their holes without realising there are screws to be removed. Good work for spotting and removing those. With the presence of the screws to secure the speed dial the retainer does not need to be super tight, after extracting those, every Alpa I've worked on unfastened very easily. Having already removed those I suspect for reasons unknown yours is unusually tight.

I've got no details for the 9d, sorry. This diagram is for a 6c. I expect the arrangement is the same, though. You've got the two alternate arrangements of wind knob or wind lever in parallel, here. Hope it assists.

The pentaprism will come off with the top cover. The top surface of the screen and the prism will then be accessible in situ. I suggest leaving the screen installed, if at all possible. There are a lot of things I like about Alpas, but the focus screen mounting is not one of them. It is, frankly, barking mad. If you can possibly avoid disturbing the screen in its installation, do so.

 

[dcshooter]

Thank you, this is very helpful.

So for clarification, does part #2615 (the retainer) then lift out or turn out? If it turns, do you happen to know which way it is threaded? For obvious reasons, I'd prefer not to be turning the wrong way when I apply a little more elbow grease!

OK—you've already dealt with the set screws. I've encountered owners who'd simply put a peg spanner in their holes without realising there are screws to be removed. Good work for spotting and removing those. With the presence of the screws to secure the speed dial the retainer does not need to be super tight, after extracting those, every Alpa I've worked on unfastened very easily. Having already removed those I suspect for reasons unknown yours is unusually tight.

I've got no details for the 9d, sorry. This diagram is for a 6c. I expect the arrangement is the same, though. You've got the two alternate arrangements of wind knob or wind lever in parallel, here. Hope it assists.

The pentaprism will come off with the top cover. The top surface of the screen and the prism will then be accessible in situ. I suggest leaving the screen installed, if at all possible. There are a lot of things I like about Alpas, but the focus screen mounting is not one of them. It is, frankly, barking mad. If you can possibly avoid disturbing the screen in its installation, do so.

 

[Sarcophilus Harrisii]

Thank you, this is very helpful.

So for clarification, does part #2615 (the retainer) then lift out or turn out? If it turns, do you happen to know which way it is threaded? For obvious reasons, I'd prefer not to be turning the wrong way when I apply a little more elbow grease!

Sorry for the delay replying. That's a fair question. The 11si (and a few other late Alpa) are rather different, not having a rotating speed dial. But in the case of the 5 and 7, after removing the two security screws, that part (#1447) unscrews. Now, your 9d is a bit different, again. It's halfway between the older and late types. It has a wind lever, but the external setting dial still spins with the timing gear. But the presence of the two securing screws suggests to me the retainer (#2615) is the equivalent of #1447 which keeps the wind knob and setting dial on the curtain shaft with the knob wind models. Hence, I suspect it should also unscrew.

It's a sensible question as to how it is threaded. A wind lever is one location on some designs where a left hand thread may be used. Certain Zeiss models, (Contaflexes, for instance), are a case in point. In the case of the Alpa the presence of the two screws mitigates against any tendency for the retainer to want to self loosen by wind action. Thus, as I recall it's an ordinary right hand thread (Ie anti-clockwise to loosen) with the knob wind versions. Alpa didn't change their designs in a hurry, I'd be surprised if the lever wind types were threaded differently.

It's odd to be so tight, though. The presence of the screws mean it doesn't need to be. Just nipped up gently, is usual. Indeed, if one was hamfisted enough to attempt to over-tighten it, the threads for the screws wouldn't line up.

In the absence of any other explanation it makes me wonder if a previous owner has used some thread lock? I certainly hope not. Good luck.
Cheers
Brett