Contax I ribbons

[Deklari]

Yes, this sharing works via a small steel pin, attached to a ring through wich the big steel screw goes. Attached to it is a small spring that pulls the separator to the side. I've lost this spring. It just sprang away. I can't find it anymore, but I don't care, as the difference between 1/500 and 1/1000 is only a fraction of a millimeter of the slit with. After 85 years or so this precision is no longer there.

Erik.

It is easy to make those spring. But as you said this precision is no longer there, and rarely used.

 

[Erik van Straten]

This camera came to me in bits and pieces. Now it works.

Erik.

 

[Erik van Straten]

Contax I, Nikkor 50mm f/2, 400-2TMY.

Erik.

 

[Deklari]

this is my project
work now

 

[Mr_Flibble]

I've just received the Contax I (d)...(v5?) that I bought from LeoLab (Tim) last week.

As expected the curtain straps were both broken. Need to order some Aki-Asahi ribben now.


I also fear the timings of the shutter gears are off. Charging the shutter doesn't wind up the top curtain far enough to clear the film frame.

It'll give me something to do over the summer 😉
Will post some pictures on the progress here.

 

[Erik van Straten]

I also fear the timings of the shutter gears are off.

Congrats with the beautiful camera.

To correct the gears on top is do-able. I've done it on mine. The problem is that I am completely forgotten how I did it. You'll have to remove many parts on top to reach the screws to free the top curtain, that is what I do remember.

Good luck!

Erik.

 

[Mr_Flibble]

This body is in much better shape than my I(c). But the internals are a bit sticky. Also found there are a few construction changes between these two models when I took it apart yesterday.

I see a lot of set screws in and around that top curtain roller.
Good thing I'm in no rush to get it working. 😉

 

[Deklari]

This body is in much better shape than my I(c). But the internals are a bit sticky. Also found there are a few construction changes between these two models when I took it apart yesterday.

I see a lot of set screws in and around that top curtain roller.
Good thing I'm in no rush to get it working. 😉

nice camera!

 

[Deklari]

I have new issue with taking spool. I dot' have original spool in my camera. Many shuts have overlapping. If spool has high friction (wrong size?) it will not rotate during camera winding. Anybody have good suggestion for spool? Same question about Leica too. Does FED/Zorki/Kiev spools works on Leica I, III, M3 Contax I or II/III?

 

[Erik van Straten]

On the Contax I you can use the post war (plastic) spool of the Contax IIa or IIIa. The pre war spools of the II or III will work too. You can also use the Kiev spools without problems. They can be had cheap on eBay.

For Leicas I'd only use the original spools. The M2/M3-spool will not fit the early screwmounts, only the IIIg AFAIK.

Erik.

 

[Deklari]

On the Contax I you can use the post war (plastic) spool of the Contax IIa or IIIa. The pre war spools of the II or III will work too. You can also use the Kiev spools without problems. They can be had cheap on eBay.

For Leicas I'd only use the original spools. The M2/M3-spool will not fit the early screwmounts, only the IIIg AFAIK.

Erik.

Thanks Erik for useful information

 

[Mr_Flibble]

Right, I finally had time to order some new ribbon material from Aki-Asahi. Time to dive into this contax camera.

 

[Gabriele Gaspardis]

Hello everybody,
this thread is really awesome when you are searching for info about Contax I.
I'm working on a Contax I(f) and I have got a trouble with the curtains latches.
The two steel "fingers" that assist lifting of the upper curtain when the camera is wound are bended towards outside and, considering that they are riveted, it is not possible turning them in opposite direction, so, I don't know how to restore them in the correct position.
In current conditions, curtains remain open during the wind operation.

Have you got some suggestions?

Is there something that I can do to help the lifting of the upper curtain (e.g. applying a little compression on ribbons clutches)?

Thank you, Gabriele.

 

[Erik van Straten]

The two steel "fingers" that assist lifting of the upper curtain when the camera is wound are bended towards outside and, considering that they are riveted, it is not possible turning them in opposite direction,

If they are bended or turned (that is not clear from your writing) it should be possible to bend or turn them back.

Can you provide a picture of the situation? It is not exactly clear what you mean.

Erik.

 

[Gabriele Gaspardis]

If they are bended or turned (that is not clear from your writing) it should be possible to bend or turn them back.

Can you provide a picture of the situation? It is not exactly clear what you mean.

Erik,
I cannot send a picture because, at the moment, I'm in the office at work.
However, I send a sketch representing the way they are bent.

I know, I'm not Raffaello, but I hope the drawing is enough to understand the problem.

 

[Erik van Straten]

I see the problem. It is not much of an issue. Simply bent them back. Be careful not to break them. Make them fit into the slit of the other curtain.

You'll have to bent about anything that is ment to meet another part for a smooth run and catch of the curtains. Study the whole thing carefully until the curtains run (and stay put) as they should. Are the ribbons OK?

Erik.

You are a great draughtsman, by the way!

 

[Gabriele Gaspardis]

You'll have to bent about anything that is ment to meet another part for a smooth run and catch of the curtains. Study the whole thing carefully untill the curtains run (and stay put) as they should. Are the ribbons OK?

I replaced both ribbons with Aki Asahi ones. Wind mechanism works. Shutter speeds are OK, B and 1/2 included.
Problems stay in latches. I tried to kindly bend them with a couple of very small tweezers, but, in any case, they result to big in the available space. So, I cannot make them parallel to the curtain.
Have you got any suggestion about which tools and what method I can use for repositioning?

PS: Thanks for your understanding about drawing... 😀

 

[Deklari]

I replaced both ribbons with Aki Asahi ones. Wind mechanism works. Shutter speeds are OK, B and 1/2 included.
Problems stay in latches. I tried to kindly bend them with a couple of very small tweezers, but, in any case, they result to big in the available space. So, I cannot make them parallel to the curtain.
Have you got any suggestion about which tools and what method I can use for repositioning?

PS: Thanks for your understanding about drawing... 😀

Hi. I have similar issue. It is difficult to make them parallel. In my case, I put my smallest screwdriver under latches very close to rivet, and gently press. But be very careful don't break them.

 

[Deklari]

This is example on Contax III curtain.

 

[oftheherd]

Hi. I have similar issue. It is difficult to make them parallel. In my case, I put my smallest screwdriver under latches very close to rivet, and gently press. But be very careful don't break them.

Would a small (probably need a really small) amount of heat help them move and stay where they should? Would it damage other parts do you think?