GSN: loose/rattling rewind knob and shutter lock

[squirrel$$$bandit]

New guy here. I just got myself a mint-looking GSN ($35!) and it seems to be working great. I'm a little irritated, however, by the rewind knob and shutter lock. Both are a little loose. There's some play in the rewind and the little winder arm keeps flopping up; the shutter lock is loose enough so that it sometimes locks up on its own, just from random motion. Both work perfectly--they just are too loose. Is this a normal caveat of this camera, or can they be tightened? Thanks! John

 

[Paul Fierberg]

I don't think what you describe is normal at least my GSN does not have those traits....Check with The Yashica Guy web site.

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

Thanks, it doesn't look like he's got anything about this phenomenon.

Got my first roll back!

http://flickr.com/photos/mabelsound/sets/72157604083333107/

 

[januaryman]

I wouldn't worry about it, judging from your fine photos. Of course the predomination of snow and white has fooled your meter, but it would fool ANY meter. Looks like you have a keeper.

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

I wouldn't worry about it, judging from your fine photos. Of course the predomination of snow and white has fooled your meter, but it would fool ANY meter. Looks like you have a keeper.

Thanks so much! Ironically, on that misty day, the meter said I was UNDERexposed every time. The ones that look a bit blurry are probably because of the slow shutter speed the camera selected. It was the middle of the day and snow was everywhere, but the clouds were so thick there was barely enough light to shoot by.

I like the camera a great deal, I must say. Perhaps I'll just stick a piece of tape over the rewind arm while shooting.

 

[bronney]

John,

I don't have expeirience with the shutter lock. But I've taken down the top plate of 2 yashicas. The rewind knob, there could be 3 things that make it rattle.

1. lift up the rewind arm, that little screw there could be lose?
2. the whole rewind knob goes on the film stub like a screw in itself. To check if it's tight, open the door, stick a bamboo chopstick into the U where it engages the film spool, and twist the rewind knob by hand in the direction of tightening a bottle (clockwise looking from top).
3. there's a washer between the rewind knob and the film spool stub (and a foam ring). If it's missing, it could rattle.

Play around with it on a piece of cloth so parts don't drop on your carpet.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/bronney/2307787524/in/set-72157603418567018/

Photo of parts.

 

[btgc]

Having recently worked on GSN, I remember that shutter lock has kind of tension washer to make it towards stiff. Maybe your is in place, just needs tightening - I haven't dealt with this, so check if there's way to tighten lock assembly.

Rewind knob has small metal plate which works as spring and keeps lever locked in place. Check for it. I don't understand in which way rewind knob is loose - shaft itself or just round'n'flat head where rewind lever is located ? If only head, check if there is proper screw used - maybe previous tinkerer lost original and used another, just little bit too long which can't fix round head tightly.

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

Excellent, thanks so much for those two posts. I'll try all these things today!

 

[greyhoundman]

There is no way to tighten the shutter lock system. Put a small rubberband under the lock to give it resistance.

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

...and everything's quite tight over on the other side of the camera...I checked. :-( The main problem, really, is the rewind arm. It just flops all over the place. Let me ask you this--is it usually spring-loaded? Because there's no spring on mine, it's just hinged, and the flange on each side of the arm is much smaller than the opening for it.

Anyway, I am just being fussy. The camera works great. If I can stop that arm flapping, I'll be absolutely satisfied.

 

[greyhoundman]

It should have a flat spring held in by a small screw.

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

FIXED!!!! Someone had taken it apart and re-installed the flange/spring upside down. Now the arm stays put.

Thanks all!

 

[bronney]

you are probably missing this spring the screw's holding in.

If you MUST have it you can get it on eBay, $5. Mark Hama also has it for $10 shipped last time I asked.

http://cgi.ebay.com.hk/ws/eBayISAPI...41&ih=001&category=64352&ssPageName=WDVW&rd=1

 

[bronney]

woot! great stuff bro! sorry I never saw your post.