Canon P winding grinding noise- help?

[Dan Daniel]

Recently picked up a Canon P in decent shape. First test roll looks quite nice. But the wind lever causes an unsettling noise- sort of a high-pitched grinding noise. Here is a video meant to be used for audio only- listen for the rub noise as the camera is wound.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z8bFNI0mtjI

The video has different shutter speeds just in case that tells you anything. 1/1000 at first, then 1 sec, 1/8 sec, 1/60 sec. Sure sounds like the curtains are dragging at slower speeds (which doesn't worry me because higher speeds that I will actually use are accurate, but if this is destroying the shutter, let me know).

I have NO IDEA where to start with this camera on seeing if I can reduce that noise. Is this the shutter system? Wind system? Something rubbing and the camera will blow up if I keep using it? A simple drop of oil or wipe of grease? A full stripdown to get to that one special gear?

Any direction appreciated.

 

[farlymac]

Break out the pumps, that baby needs a lube job, like right now!


PF

 

[Dan Daniel]

OK, so what kind of disassembly do I need to do to get where I need to get? Looking at the exploded diagrams of this camera, it looks as if the body shell will pull down and away with the four screws on front removed, self-timer lever removed, and a couple of lens mount screws removed.

 

[mooge]

Not super sure what's causing the problem (it sounds like winding gears... does the winding feel grindy?) but you'll have to remove the top plate to get at the winding gears.

While you're servicing the camera might as well relube the slow speeds escapement. Like you said, the body shell is comes off with the 4 body screws and some under the lens mount ring, so getting access there is pretty trivial...

This is a VI-L but you'll see pretty much the same thing with your P under the body shell.

 

[Dan Daniel]

Not super sure what's causing the problem (it sounds like winding gears... does the winding feel grindy?) but you'll have to remove the top plate to get at the winding gears.

While you're servicing the camera might as well relube the slow speeds escapement. Like you said, the body shell is comes off with the 4 body screws and some under the lens mount ring, so getting access there is pretty trivial...

This is a VI-L but you'll see pretty much the same thing with your P under the body shell.

Thanks! The photo I needed to get me over the fear of breaking it open. Even better than I expected- I've seen a Leica IIIf opened up, and thought that I'd need to slide the outer casing up and over. Turns out that I only needed to open the back of the Canon and the front section simply dropped forward and away (with back still attached, of course).


I'll let things sit for a bit, clean it up, reassemble, and see if it sounds better. Thanks again, PF and mooge.

 

[mooge]

I've seen a Leica IIIf opened up, and thought that I'd need to slide the outer casing up and over.

Yeah no... this is basically the way Leica should have made the M series but they didn't. Fortunately, the Canon VI/P/7 designers actually put thought into how their cameras would be serviced...

 

[Dan Daniel]

Yep, I'd take a hinge and latch bumps on a Leica for the ability to simply get access to the mechanisms.

Winding is now very quiet and smooth. No sandpaper noise. Shutter sounds better. Still sounds as if the second curtain is going a bit slow in closing on slower speeds. I'll check curtain timing and such another time. And sometimes on B, the second curtain doesn't close on shutter button release; I need to tap the button again for the second curtain to close. Maybe mechanical hangup somewhere, maybe a curtain roller? Being new to these type of shutters I will step away for a while before making any adjustments.

The first roll through the camera with a Jupiter 8 50mm f/2 lens looked very good, nice exposures, in focus, etc. I'll put more film through it and see what other problems show up. Bought it as a user, so time to use it.

 

[retinax]

I have a P which makes the same kind of noise. I also have taken off the shell and lubricated a tiny bit in all the places that were accessible and seemed to need it, but no difference. Dan, where exactly did you lubricate?