Kiev 4am - focus adjust mishap

[gregg]

So I noticed my beautiful BLACK Kiev 4am seemed to "long" focus at the .9 meter setting. Onto the Kiev Survival Site for some quick instructions on how to check and adjust. No problem...

Onto the biggest tripod I've got, for my 8x10 camera, with focus testing sheet printed, camera aligned, with the lens and front plate removed.

Infinity is OK, but .9 meters shows critical focus at 94cm. So I set the film plane to exactly .9 meter, loosen the RF focus adjust screws a bit and we are ready to go.

I get a small screwdriver into the area between the two screws as is shown on the Kiev Survival Site and begin to nudge. The RF patch overlap is coming closer, closer, closer ... SNAP!

Yes, really - SNAP. Something just snapped - sounded spring-like. Looked inside, no overlapping RF patch. Move the focus wheel and there is NO movement on the overlap patch (or it is missing all together - I can't tell...)

Understanding I have messed up horribly is there anything a mere mortal with generally good fine motor skills and a few tools can do about this?

What is the problem? If needed - does anyone have a recommendation on repairs in the US? If I have to send it in it would be great to have it overhauled to check the shutter speeds and CLA the wind mechanism.

Thanks,
Humble-pie-eating

 

[Xmas]

Gregg
Sliding the carriage as you describe will alter the '8' and 0.7m together, you needed to alter the mating of the inner wheel teeth to adjust the infinity and close up independently.
You have to remobe the shutter housing to move the heliciod one tooth at a time... takes me one week end to strip and rebuild.
The worst you have damaged the prism and might need glass glue, betya find out on Sunday when shops close. More likely you have dislodged one of the lenses, they are wedged and glued in place easy to put back, but again a recalibrate needed
Buy watchmakers screw drivers... see for gory details;-

http://www3.telus.net/public/rpnchbck/index.html

Sorry
Noel

 

[rpinchbeck]

Dear Humble-pie-eating Gregg,

If you had the camera set to .9m when things went "snap" then it might be as Noel indicated. If you had the camera at infinity, then the compensator arm may have "snapped" off the pin on the worm gear arm. You know, the best way to find out is going to require pulling the top casting and rangefinder glass out. Hoo-boy, you goin-ta fun now!

Cheers,

Russ

 

[Xmas]

Russ

'Snapped' is the wrong context here do you mean 'slipped'?

Also does gregg need to resequence cogs, to adjust the origional fault?

Noel

 

[gregg]

I'm leaning towards sending it in for an overhaul - Fedka in the US seems to be a good option. I know there are threads covering this topic, but who else do you recommend?

Thanks!