Canon 7 ASA dial

[hinko]

Hi,

I just received a good condition Canon 7. The only thing that bother me is the ASA dial. It rotates with the shutter speed dial even without pressing the button at the back. It has become so out of sync that the asa number is showing in the DIN window.
Is this due to the spring washer underneath the shutter dial?
Any suggestion?
Thanks.

 

[retinax]

That it can be rotated until the ASA number is visible in the DIN field and vice versa is normal. It's not likely to have anything to do with the spring washer. If it's behaving as if the button was pressed, likely the mechanics behind the button make believe the button was pressed, i.e. are stuck in that position. If you're handy with a screwdriver, there's a good chance you can fix it. The top plate needs to come off. Don't take off the shutter speed dial until you've tried that, because it's not so easy to get back on right. It doesn't need to come off to take the top plate off. Is the meter even working? On many it's not, or you might prefer to use a hand held meter that's more precise, then you wouldn't need to worry about it anyway.

 

[hinko]

Thanks for the reply. After scouring the forum and the net, I tried opening the top plate to find the culprit behind the ASA dial and also to clean up the viewfinder.
Fortunately, it is not as daunting as it seems. It was reasonably easy to do.
To my surprise, one of the screws on the shutter dial is missing. However, the missing screw is the long one. Both short stub screw are still intact.
Additionally, the spring washer that is supposed to push the ASA dial down has been lost as well.
Wanna ask the experienced experts here for the dimensions of the spring washer and the long screw.
Thanks.

 

[retinax]

I'm not one of the experienced experts, but I've had it apart... Any spring washer that fits should work, just measure the place where it's seated, and a little play won't hurt. You could probably cut one from shim stock if you can't find one for sale, but you'd need to be very carefully de-burr it in order not to cause excessive wear and tear. But again, the ASA dial is irrelevant if you don't use the meter.
The long screw has the same threading as the short ones, it's just longer. But I wouldn't worry about it, it should work just fine with two screws. When you reassemble it, you may need to turn it while it's held by just one and that works.

 

[hinko]

Thanks for the prompt reply.
Yes, I totally agree that it will work fine with the remaining two screws, hence I begin sourcing for suitable “candidate” to replace the original metal washer.
I managed to find a hard sheet plastic that is of suitable thickness, punch a hole with paper puncher(the diameter fits snugly on the brass rod) and cut it to shape.
To provide the required springiness, I simply fold the said cut plastic into half o emulate the “waviness”.
Tada, upon reassembly, it works nicely, and now I have a working ASA dial with a functional light meter as well.
Thanks again for your suggestion.

 

[CameraQuest]

That it can be rotated until the ASA number is visible in the DIN field and vice versa is normal. It's not likely to have anything to do with the spring washer. If it's behaving as if the button was pressed, likely the mechanics behind the button make believe the button was pressed, i.e. are stuck in that position. If you're handy with a screwdriver, there's a good chance you can fix it. The top plate needs to come off. Don't take off the shutter speed dial until you've tried that, because it's not so easy to get back on right. It doesn't need to come off to take the top plate off. Is the meter even working? On many it's not, or you might prefer to use a hand held meter that's more precise, then you wouldn't need to worry about it anyway.

Even when the Canon 7 meter is working, its not that accurate or useful.

I would not bother and just enjoy it,
the 7 is a fine shooter, even with its quirks

 

[Beemermark]

Micro Curved Spring Washers DIN 137A

Buy the right part, it will work better and last longer.

 

[hinko]

Thank you for the suggestions. Yes for long term, the metal washer is a must. Will continue to source for one.
Meanwhile, the it is just irresistible to pick the camera and shoot some photos.
Have tested with a digital camera at the back for shutter speed. All the speeds are very accurate (no capping and even exposure) even the flash sync works perfectly.
This model 7 is indeed built like a tank! Now that I have cleared the haze, it is much clearer and brighter.