Contax IIa flash sync working only on high speeds

[msarkki]

Hi,

I managed to get a nice Contax IIa color dial with one fault, its flash sync seems to work only on 1/100 and on faster speeds. This makes sync pretty useless, since for electronic flash the shutter is sync'd only for 1/50 and slower speeds.

Would anybody have any idea where to start the troubleshooting? Any service manuals / illustrations would as well be pretty useful.

Best

Mika

 

[rick oleson]

Hi Mika: It sounds like the M contacts are working in your camera (they operate from 1/125 up) but the X contacts (1/50 and below) are not making connection. If I read my own notes right, it looks like the M switch is at the extreme right hand end of the camera under the top cover, and the X switch is immediately on the front end of the PC connector. Both are reached by removing the top cover, and the problem will probably be visible once you're inside. Please drop me an email at rick.oleson@gmail.com if you'd like a copy of the notes. Most of it is based on Black Dial models, there's only one page on the Color Dial synch ... but it will help you get inside and find where to look.

rick