Canon RF shutter replacement?

[cooltouch]

I just bought a Canon IID 1, which is very similar to the IVsb, the main difference being no factory flash sync. After putting a roll of film through it, I've discovered that one or both shutter curtains have a few holes in them.

After doing a search and reading up on the topic of curtain repair, I'm going to try using a concoction of contact cement, black paint, and acetone or perhaps MEK (as a thinner) to spot touch up these areas. If this works, I will have bought some time, perhaps. The curtain will need replacing at some time in the future, though.

I have repaired cameras and lenses in the past, and I have a decent assortment of tools. But I have never worked on a Canon rangefinder before. I'm wondering if this is something I should try -- assuming I can find a good repair guide because I don't want to guess at disassembly and reassembly as well as adjustments -- or if I should "leave it to the professionals."

If the former, can you recommend a good repair guide source? An online pdf or equivalent would be great. 😎

If the latter, can you recommend a good (and hopefully reasonably priced) repair tech for shutter curtain replacement?

 

[mjflory]

Shutter pinhole repair

Shutter pinhole repair

Cooltouch, a good bet for patching the pinholes is "Liquid Electrical Tape." My 4-oz. can is from an outfit called "Star Brite" in Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33314. I picked it up at a well-stocked local hardware store. If that doesn't work (though I suspect it will), I don't think the Barnack-style Canon shutters are substantially different from the Leica ones -- though I haven't worked on one. They certainly look similar. It's the rangefinder that's more complicated.

Thomas Tomosy's repair guides and Rick Oleson's illustrations and notes (here on the web) are a good starting point for instructions. Rick's Tech Notes CD just might be the biggest repair documentation bargain ever.

Good luck!