Konica Auto S2 help

[tpersin]

This camera had numerous problems -all of which i've luckily repaired except for one. the shutter speed ring is difficult to turn. I saw on another thread to put some rubbing alcohol on it and turn it, which in this case really loosens it up. But it seems as soon as the alcohol dries/evaporates it becomes difficult again. eg: last night i put a few drops all around the ring and turned it, it glided between settings, this morning it was back to being as stiff as before. Is there some other variable I should be considering?

Any help appreciated.
Thanks!
Tom

 

[Sonnar Brian]

When I did the alchohol treatment on my S2, I followed it by swabbing it up with Q-Tips to get the grime out. I used enough to flush it. That was back in January. It still operates well enough, can be turned full range, but is more stiff than most of my other cameras. Before the treatment, you had to force it to move, especially to 1/500th. Now you can turn it full range, finger force.

You might also try Ronsonol.

 

[Sean Moran]

Am I glad to hear that there are experts here on the S2!

A work colleague gave me one recently (and told me of its implication in an Eastern European spy scandal in 1970's England). It looked like it only needed the foam seals replacing (which I can do) but I then made the mistake of moving the delayed action (aka self-timer) lever and the shutter is now jammed.

If you were able to suggest an eay way of freeing the shutter, I would be most grateful for your tip.

Best wishes,

Seán.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

You might try squirting a little ronsonol in through the Self timer port. It might hit the mechanism, I am not sure. What usually works involves taking out the front retaining ring and front lens module to expose the shutter. Squirting Ronsonol and/or Isopropyl alchohol (I use 99%) usually works as well. I did not have to do that to the S2, but it worked with about 6 other similar type cameras. It is known as "Flood Cleaning". An optical spanner is useful for the retaining ring removal, but I have also used needle nosed pliers and bent the tips to come in straight.

 

[pshinkaw]

Can you give us any details on the historical scandal?

I recall seeing a spy movie in the late 60's which featured what I think was an S2 with a weapon inside.

-Paul

 

[tpersin]

re: the stuck shutter:
I had exactly the same thing happen with my self timer! i took my entire camera apart but i think, if i'm remembering correctly, if you remove the bottom, on the left side (lens facing up) you'll see a little arm extending from the middle of the camera, if you lift it i *think* it will release the shutter... i'm going from memory here so i may not be totally accurate. Sean, if you decide to open it up, let me know and I'll brain dump some of the more important information that I spent hours figuring out! (repeating the mantra: why won't this thing go back together!)

re: swabbing it up:
did you just swab around the exterior of the ring, or did you find some way to remove it? it sounds like the problem is identical because getting to 1/500th is the most difficult if not impossible!

 

[Sonnar Brian]

I just swabbed from the outside. 1/500th probably kicks in an extra spring on the shutter, and probably the extra resistance is from that.

ON THE SELF-TIMER: make sure that the synchro-switch is set to X. I never noticed this before, but on my S2 there is some sort of interlock when the selecttor is set to M.

 

[Kin Lau]

On my 2 S2's, I've found the problem also to be with the shutter speed selector disc not being seated correctly. To fix that, you have to remove the front element (very easy) and then there's a large screw ring that needs to be removed. As your turn the shutter speed selector, you'll see where there's a few actuator arms that need to be in the right slots. There's a tendency for the arm in about the 1 o'clock position to slip out of position, grinding against the selector disc.

 

[Sean Moran]

Thanks for the tips, guys.

Forgive my tardiness in replying. I've just returned to Belfast from my cottage in County Leitrim (Republic of Ireland) , so I was without internet contact . I'll try out your suggestions and report back - together with as much detail of the spy scandal as I can give without compromising my work-colleague.

Cheers,

Seán.

 

[Sean Moran]

Dear Tom,

I took the bottom off and I've found the mechanism that cocks the shutter, and the interlock that lets you wind on. The shutter still doesn't fire though. Any further ideas?

Best wishes,

Seán.,

 

[tpersin]

Sean-
Sorry, I was away for the past few days!
ok.... i think you'll have to remove the lens... I doubt you'll have to remove the camera leather. Sadly, I didnt document my dissasembly with images. Your repair could be as simple as removing the retaining ring, then the meter (lift out carefully so as not to break the power wires) ring, then remove the lens (i used a rubber band to help hold it tightly) and dropping a few drops of solvent on the shutter blades. This link is pretty good (best I could find - there aren't many)

http://feuerbacher.net/photo/frame.html?repair/KonicaAutoS2/KonicaAutoS2.html~Main

keep us posted, and feel free to IM or email me directly. It should be said, I'm NOT an expert but was able to get it apart, fix my few problems and back together again - successfully 😉

Cheers!

 

[Sean Moran]

Tom,

Many thanks for your help and the very useful link. I got the lens out, flooded the mechanism with lighter fluid and generally tinkered around but ... still nothing doing. I was given this camera, so abandoning attempt at repair at this point feels right to me. If it was a family heirloom or better than my Leicas, I might have invested a few more hours in it, but I'm going to cut my (time) losses now and abandon the project. If there are any bits you would like, I'll mail them to you for free.

Now ... the spy story.

The camera was - as I said - given to me by a generous colleague in working order. (It was my setting the self-timer that jiggered it). My colleague was so generous that when a young Czech woman frequently asked to borrow it in the late 60's/ 70's - I forget which - he gladly lent it to her. What he didn't know was that she was using it to photograph military aircraft and installations and pass state secrets - obtained from her Air-force boyfriend - behind the iron curtain. She was having the films developed under my friend's name until a suspicious d&p employee contacted the police who involved the secret services who in turn came knocking at my helpful colleague's door. As far as I know, the cold-war spy managed to flee the country before her arrest. My colleague is still on a database of potential security risks, as he found when he applied for a job teaching in a prison.

Best wishes,

Seán.