Contax shutter problem

[Xmas]

Max

Panic attack

Apply sticky tape as Russ Pinchbeck suggests. The shutter module has to stay in one piece until you localise the problem. It is most likely grease turned to glue, next likely a latch may be bent or broken, it should be fixed in situ if possible as stripping the module is real difficult. Dont take it apart... Also try and not to damage it when you are firing the shutter - this is easy to do.

Noel

 

[darkkavenger]

I did a check to the small gears next to the big one (near the light baffle chamber) and they are turning, I managed to get the slow speeds to engage, but after winding & changing speeds, I had slow speeds for a while on all speeds, then fast speeds even at 1/2 now. I'm going to check further.

 

[Xmas]

Max

It is almost certain that it is grease turned to glue, but you need to be real patient.
You need a full can of Zippo, 'essense de briquette en francais' I'm advised. A whole day! A small can of fine (thin) oil - best 'tour de france' cycle shop oil. A dentist pick and a pair of tweasers. Pick up a drop of Zippo transfer it to gear shaft, operate camera on 1/2 or 1/5, repeat, repeat, repeat, on same shaft. Then apply micro drop of oil to shaft operate a few times. Keep record drawing of which shafts you have done. The dentist pick or tweasers are for getting the Zippo on to the shaft, (into the shaft bearing) wedge the tweasers apart 0.5 cm, fill the gap with fluid, carry the fill tip to the shaft. Some spiders have to do this...
I now think the problem might be one of the escapment shafts because they are the 'most frequent suspects' in my experience, but I've not had your cameras symptoms yet.
Eventually the camera will work reliably. Then you do the remaining shafts. No slacking or gaillic shrugs. You can then say you have done a full degrease.
As well as the shutter operating shafts you need to degrease the release (button) shaft mechanism.
If the camera is too noisy afterwards you may need to reduce the pretension.
A contax is a real nice camera.
Noel

 

[darkkavenger]

Thanks Noel, I will check this tomorrow 🙂