Konica III (Konirapid MFX shutter) - aperture blades

btgc

btgc

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Hello,

I have Konica III with at least one broken aperture blade. Where you would look for replacement blades? To buy another one isn't an option; maybe someone has parts camera to cannibalize or can recommend repair people who would sell blade or two.

Otherwise this early make without EV lock is top notch. Would be good user when repaired. I want to do this myself because shipping forth and back would make it too expensive.
 
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You might contact Dean Williams. He did a great CLA job on my Konica III with the same shutter (SO much nicer to use than the Seikosha!). I have no idea if he has or sells spare parts but he's worth a try. His repair prices are so reasonable that you may rethink shipping back and forth.
 
Thanks John for idea.
Dean Williams site states "I'm not taking any new repair jobs" unfortunately...I wrote him, let's see if he reads email.

P.S. Nicer than Seikosha - you mean absence of EV interlock?
 
btgc said:
P.S. Nicer than Seikosha - you mean absence of EV interlock?
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Yes. The EV interlock was supposed to be simple but never made any sense to me.

Just pulled up Dean's website. Too bad he is no longer doing repairs - he was good. He is a member here but has not visited in seven months. I hope he has not suffered some health crisis or other reversal of fortune. Anyone know?
 
John,
I think, Dean is fine, but he decided not to do any camera repairs for a while.
 
Raid, thank for idea of Eddy Smolov.
Google returned another posts where you recommend him :)

Guys, I'm really hooked on model III. If this would be my first RF, maybe I'd stop by it. OK, at least it could be my only Konica RF. I hope I will not mess with IIIA/M models :)

No, really - Konica III and Ricoh 519 which I'm fixing myself are completely different from Konica Auto models, all YashiElectro's. Only Lynxes could be considered as partners. I'm talking about feel, smoothness and sturdiness. I don't have Oly's, Mamiya's or what else to compare; in fact, I'm not actually ranking them(who could?) just expressing my appreciation.
 
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I've got replay from Dean Williams - he suggested Seikosha MXV and MX are basically same shutters as Konirapid MFX.

So this shutters also are welcome.

raid, your topic is partially reason why I got urge to know what model III is like.
 
btgc said:
I've got replay from Dean Williams - he suggested Seikosha MXV and MX are basically same shutters as Konirapid MFX.

So this shutters also are welcome.

raid, your topic is partially reason why I got urge to know what model III is like.
Click to expand...

I am being reminded here to use the Konica RF's more often. They really are great cameras with great lenses at a reasonable cost.
 
Here's some update - time ago I sent shutter to Greg Weber, today he confirmed he has got aperture blades...from Japan. Even so, first try wasn't successful, so his contact in Nippon sent second mail. Appeared that particular camera weren't widespread in U.S.A. - probably owner brought it home from Japan and to make things more funny, there were 6 different aperture blade varieties used.

Keep me by the word - I just will be obliged to use it, even at cost of selling some other camera to free up time. So far for this is most complex revival case and to be honest, most expensive camera, too.
 
Shutter is back from Greg Weber - now I have to put it back on body. Must say, circular aperture looks awesome :)
 
I have a couple of Konica RF to offer...

I have a couple of Konica RF to offer...

I don't think in recalling that they are III models. They have the bottom rapid wind lever. One is locked up and one works sporadically. I've seen light through the lens , when pressing shutter, but intermittently. They are slightly different in appearance. I don't plan on doing anything with them. One has a leather case in decent shape.
 
btgc said:
Hello,

I have Konica III with at least one broken aperture blade. Where you would look for replacement blades? To buy another one isn't an option; maybe someone has parts camera to cannibalize or can recommend repair people who would sell blade or two.

Otherwise this early make without EV lock is top notch. Would be good user when repaired. I want to do this myself because shipping forth and back would make it too expensive.
Click to expand...

I'd be looking for a junked Mamiya 35 or a junked Ricoh. Both used Seikosha MXL shutters, and you can usually find both cameras cheap.
 
FallisPhoto said:
I'd be looking for a junked Mamiya 35 or a junked Ricoh. Both used Seikosha MXL shutters, and you can usually find both cameras cheap.
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I spent some time looking for Seikosha MXL donor. First, they didn't appeared at that time too often and for some reason prices also weren't as low as I wanted, and no one had 10 blade aperture (must confess, I didn't want to replace housing and go with 5 blades). So I went this route.
 
I need to open up a Konica III for lubration on the film advance etc. Just wonder there are instruction on Konica III repair?
 
Hello Gentlemen. I was recently given a Konica III and was wowed by it. I also see a blade that's either broken or just jumped the track. I have some skill, but haven't opened one of these. Any pointers on how to approach the aperture race? Read the pointers about Seikosha MXL shutters and where to find blades if it's a snapped pinion. Thanks!
 
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