Ciro-flex Model B repair

caferacer73

caferacer73

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First off, I'd like to thank Rick Oleson and Dave Lackey for the repair tips I received from them.

About 2 months ago I found a Ciro-flex Model B at an estate sale for $25. I noticed that the shutter was a bit tight (it wouldn't move) and that focusing mechanism was not moving.

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I was able to get the shutter working properly (it only required a bit of nudging to get moving). The focusing knob was not working as I had hoped. I got it moving a little, but when I tried to force it, it would stop moving internally and bind up. I took what I could apart, cleaned and reassembled, but still was not able to get it to work correctly.

I happened to see another Model B on eBay and bought it. The focusing mechanism worked, but the shutter was stuck open. I figured I could swap lenses to get one working and take my time to repair the other.

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Time to research how to remove the lenses.
 
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Ciro-flex Model B repair Part 2

Ciro-flex Model B repair Part 2

So after looking through lots of websites and contacting a couple of people who are very knowledgeable on these cameras, I finally figured out how to removing the taking lens (the bottom one). I couldn't find any pictures online of how to do this, so I will share mine. The credit of how to remove the taking lens goes to RFF member Rick Oleson.

Steps to remove the taking lens.
Step #1: Remove the 4 screws from the front cover plate.
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Step #2: Open the back cover and look down inside. There is a ring with two slots (this is screwed onto the back of the taking lens). Use a thin piece of metal, a spanner, or something else to loosen this ring.

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During this step, I also removed the viewing lens. It is just unscrewed from the front side of the camera.

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Step #3: Completely unscrew the ring from the back of the viewing lens.

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Step #4: Lift the viewing lens out of the bracketing.

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I then swapped the lenses and reassembled the camera. Success! I now have a working camera. I loaded film into it and will start using it.

Future posts will be for the other camera (focusing mechanism repair and shutter rebuild).
 
After a rough week, it is so nice to see this thread!

Thank you for posting it... I have had my Ciro-Flex out and about today and I bought some film for it yesterday. I think I will shoot it with either TriX or FP4, it all depends on the weather though.

I am happy to see you got with Rick. He is both very knowledgeable and a great guy!:):):)

Btw, I am jealous of your leather case!:)
 
And...

Thank you for the detailed photos and instructions. I am going to make a file just for Ciro-Flex repair! I can't wait to see your other camera up and working! Great job!:D
 
Thanka Dave...I know you're jealous of the case (I think it's worth more than the camera). I'll start working on the other camera maybe next week, been having really bad allergy issues this week. I've found some additional sites on how to disassemble, clean and re-assemble the shutter. I'll include those in my write up as well as pictures I take. Stay tuned.
 
Nice to see some Ciro-Flexes getting some love.

Gummy shutters seem to be common.

I have a Ciro-flex with a gluey Alphax... someday I will dig-into it and get it loosened-up.

Mine has the ERC too.

LF
 
I dropped my first Ciroflex, so got another one with the sticky shutter. Just haven't been able to get back into fixing things. Maybe later this summer, but thanks for the nudge.

BTW, caferacer, did you happen to swap the taking lens shims too? Check and reset focus?

PF
 
I swapped the entire taking lens assembly, so I don't know if the focus is off (hopefully not). I'll know once I get the roll of film developed.

I was able to get the 2nd shutter assembly working without having to so a complete disassembly. I came across an old post from RFF member Rick Oleson (he's the expert on these). All I had to do was remove the front lens (just unscrews) and put a couple of drops of lighter fluid in a couple of places. I did this several times to flush out any gunk. The shutter started moving, slowly at first, and then faster. I let it sit for a day and when I checked it last night, it was working perfectly.

Here's the link to Rick's old post: http://rick_oleson.tripod.com/index-158.html

All I have left to do is take the focusing assembly apart and clean it really well.
 
I miss the days when Ciroflexes were less than $20 on eBay. I wish I'd bought a few. I do have the Graflex 22 though, which is its near identical successor.
 
Finally got around to working on the focusing mechanism. The key item to remove was the focusing shaft. I cleaned it and the thru hole really well with lighter fluid (works wonders). It is now nice and smooth.


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