Contax 139Q Blackout Fix?

[cz23]

May be a silly question, but anyways: May it have to do with the mirror damper? I mean, since the mid-1960s these mirror dampers were made from some sort of foam plastic that is by now usually completely deteriorated and acts like a glue…

The thing is that it only happens with a lens mounted. And the damper does not feel sticky. Thanks for your thoughts.

John

 

[monopix]

Heres what i would recommend before anything else, remove bottom plate clean and lube then tighten screws on lens mount and see if you can lubricate the mirror box parts. I dont know what the contax is like but a bit of lube goes miles in any cmaera

That has got to be the worst piece of advice I've ever seen in this forum - anywhere.

Why anyone who admits they know nothing about the camera should feel qualified to give any advice I don't know. And they are correct, lube will go miles, it can get everywhere, in all the wrong places and can totally screw up a camera.

Don't EVER put lube into a camera because it sounds like a good idea.

 

[monopix]

To the OP:

Your problem is a slipped mirror - that's 100%. You've even confirmed the mirror has slipped. So why start squirting oil where it shouldn't be.

You can push it back but it won't stay unless you glue it but I wouldn't. I always remove the mirror, clean the old adhesive off then refix.

You can find information on the DIY page of my website - link below.

 

[valdas]

To the OP:

Your problem is a slipped mirror - that's 100%. You've even confirmed the mirror has slipped. So why start squirting oil where it shouldn't be.

You can push it back but it won't stay unless you glue it but I wouldn't. I always remove the mirror, clean the old adhesive off then refix.

You can find information on the DIY page of my website - link below.

Slightly off topic: As a Contax expert - do you know if 139 and RTS II mirrors are interchangeable? I have one dead 139 with nice mirror and my RTS II is on the way (I was told that the mirror is in so so condition). Would I be able to swap those, probably not?

 

[monopix]

Slightly off topic: As a Contax expert - do you know if 139 and RTS II mirrors are interchangeable? I have one dead 139 with nice mirror and my RTS II is on the way (I was told that the mirror is in so so condition). Would I be able to swap those, probably not?

HI Valdas,

I don't have a RTSII at the moment I can check with but I would guess not. But it's surprising how bad mirrors can be without having any noticeable effect so I would try it first. Maybe just a good clean is all it will need.

 

[valdas]

HI Valdas,

I don't have a RTSII at the moment I can check with but I would guess not. But it's surprising how bad mirrors can be without having any noticeable effect so I would try it first. Maybe just a good clean is all it will need.

Thanks. Yes, I guess it's still usable. I was told this RTS II has the mirror slip, so I'll have to remove it anyway, so maybe some cleaning would help.

 

[splitimageview]

Peter, glad to see your site is restored. 🙂

 

[monopix]

Peter, glad to see your site is restored. 🙂

My holiday project.

Sent from my SM-G903F using Tapatalk

 

[oftheherd]

To the OP:

Your problem is a slipped mirror - that's 100%. You've even confirmed the mirror has slipped. So why start squirting oil where it shouldn't be.

You can push it back but it won't stay unless you glue it but I wouldn't. I always remove the mirror, clean the old adhesive off then refix.

You can find information on the DIY page of my website - link below.

Great information there. Thanks!

 

[ColSebastianMoran]

Presenting Symptoms: Contax 139, press shutter button, shutter fires, but mirror stays up. Cannot wind-on.

Diagnosis: See this web site Contax139.info and scroll down to "Shutter Curtain Bounce Catch." If your curtains match the 3rd image in this topic, the bounce catch has prevented the shutter from fully closing. It's gummed up a bit. It's a mechanical problem, not electronic, not a circuit board.

Best solution: remove the catch, clean the faces of the catch and washers, reinstall. Requires disassembly of much of the camera.

But, this worked for me:
- Remove baseplate, keep the battery in place
- Push this black lever in the direction indicated, allows you to wind on, mirror pops back.
- Exercise the camera so it works in spite of accumulated gumminess.

I talked to Nippon about a 139Q issue and they suggested the body is probably not worth repairing. So I thought I'd ask here about a DIY fix.

What happens is that sporadically the VF blacks out after pressing the shutter. Press the shutter, the shot appears to be taken OK, but the VF remains dark.

If I jiggle the lens in the mount it frees up and is good for shooting again. As far as I can tell this does not happen when a lens is not mounted.

Appreciate any thoughts on this. Thanks.

John