FED 2 shutter speed dial loose.

[Mighty Atom]

The shutter speed dial on my FED 2 camera is spinning past the detent to select a given shutter speed and I need to know how or if if it is possible to correct this. While the shutter does fire and the speeds seem accurate, I cannot tell what the selected shutter speed is because the dial rotates so freely.

I'd be really grateful for any advice as I really love this camera which has suddenly become unusable. I note there is a screw in the side of the shutter knob and wonder if this has anything to do with the problem but I am reluctant to tamper with it as I lack the tools and experience to do so. However if it's a relatively simple fix I will attempt it if someone has the answer.


Thanks

 

[Fjäll]

I would be confident to assume the screw should be tightened.

 

[davidnewtonguitars]

Yes tighten the tiny screw, but you will need a tiny screwdriver. Firmly, but do not over-tighten.

Then wind up the shutter, lift and turn the selector counter-clockwise as far as it will go and drop it in, that should be the B setting. Loosen the tiny screw, turn the selector, without lifting, so B is at the mark, and tighten it.

 

[Mighty Atom]

Thank's for your help. Do you know what type/size screwdriver I will need to purchase? I'm presuming it will need to be a flat head type but I can't actually see what I'm looking at.

 

[wolves3012]

It's a slotted-head (flat head). You can purchase sets of jewellers screwdrivers quite cheaply, the quality won't be top-notch but they'll do just fine for this sort of job. The size you'll need should be around 1.2-1.5mm but a set should include a suitable one.

You should be able to see the screw-head. If you can't, is it actually there at all? Worth shining a torch in there to see if you can see it and to see that someone hasn't butchered the head. If it's missing, I'd expect the dial to come off completely so it probably is there.

 

[Mighty Atom]

I have a horrible feeling there is no screw there. I’ll shine a torch down there when I get home tonight. Is the camera doomed if the screw is gone or snapped or would it be possible to remove the dial, reposition it and glue it into place? It would be such a shame to throw it on the scrap heap.

 

[davidnewtonguitars]

You will be able to source a screw very easily. Gluing the selector in place will be adding insult to injury.

 

[wolves3012]

I had a nagging feeling about this screw, so I had a look at mine. Actually, mine has 2 set-screws at about 120-degrees apart. Roughly, one is below 30 and one is below 60. There's enough variation in these cameras that yours might have one or two though! Not sure if it would hold or not if one of the two screws was missing but it might.

 

[Mighty Atom]

I had another look at the camera in better light when I got home from work and I’m delighted to say that both screws are present. I’m hoping it will be a simple job when I try and fix it tomorrow.