Konica IIIa shutter

[Jack Conrad]

Help!?... 😱 I'm trying to avoid doing something stupid.

I just acquired a IIIa in very nice condition, but the shutter needs a good cleaning. Normally not a problem, as I have cleaned quite a few shutters from other camera brands and have all the tools necessary for the job...
However, I haven't been able to budge the lens ring on this beauty. Even after brushing a little naptha around the edge of the ring.

Can someone here tell me if the front lens comes out via unscrewing the beauty ring first or is there some other means to get into the shutter? :angel:

 

[jackieman402]

I had a Topcon lens on which the name ring wouldn't unscrew...turned out the front of the lens unscrewed with the name ring remaining on it.

 

[douglasboyd]

I hope you get it fixed. The Konica IIIa has the best viewfinder of all the 35mm rangefinders in my collection and the lens is as good as anything. That said, I recently took this camera to Tokyo for snapshots, partly inspired by a business meeting at Konica. I must say I didn't get many good shots mainly due to the slow process of rangefinder focus and manual exposure setting. I do better with even my cell phone nowadays.
==Doug

 

[Jack Conrad]

I had a Topcon lens on which the name ring wouldn't unscrew...turned out the front of the lens unscrewed with the name ring remaining on it.

Some of the older cameras I've worked on had set screws in the outside ring, but this Konica doesn't. There are no spanner slots or holes in the name ring either.

Also, the name ring is not easy to get a grip on using the rubber friction tool. The ring has a rather steep pitch too. I had to dremmel out the center of the rubber pretty deep because the lens glass protrudes quite a bit. It's an unusually bulbous bit of glass, I must say, and I'd sure hate to scratch it while arm wrestling this bad boy.

I really dislike trying to muscle lenses off, so I'm hoping someone here has worked on these Konica III's and can let me know whether the front comes off via the name ring or possibly (as you suggest) the full outer ring simply unscrews.

 

[farlymac]

They might have glued the name ring in, Jack. Try some drops of alcohol around the perimeter, then give it a twist.

PF

 

[Jack Conrad]

They might have glued the name ring in, Jack. Try some drops of alcohol around the perimeter, then give it a twist.

PF

Worth giving it a go. Thanks, Farley.

 

[Jack Conrad]

Well, alcohol didn't break it loose. Maybe I should throw it in the oven at 350 and just bake it off.........j/k. I must remain patient. As they say, "All things get loose for those who wait." 😀

 

[Frontman]

The entire front element group comes out as a unit. Just grab the rim of the filter ring and twist it off to the left, the entire lens should come out. If you are going to remove the front plate to the shutter assembly, take care not to break or twist off the cam screw which lines up the front plate. Turn it only enough to lift off the plate, do not try to remove the screw. Unless the front plate is lined up properly (with the cam screw), the shutter will not work properly, or at all.

 

[Jack Conrad]

The entire front element group comes out as a unit. Just grab the rim of the filter ring and twist it off to the left, the entire lens should come out. If you are going to remove the front plate to the shutter assembly, take care not to break or twist off the cam screw which lines up the front plate. Turn it only enough to lift off the plate, do not try to remove the screw. Unless the front plate is lined up properly (with the cam screw), the shutter will not work properly, or at all.

Bingo!!! Frontman is the Man of the hour. Yes indeed. It screws right off. My problem was that I completely missed seeing a tiny
set screw positioned perfectly between the engraved Seikosha . MXL... I mistook it for part of the engraving.

Anyway, thanks so much... I'm on my way in. Wish me luck. :angel:

 

[Jack Conrad]

Front lens group is off.



Shutter cover is off.

 

[farlymac]

I like those bayonet style shutter covers. Until I forget to lock one in on reassembly. :bang:

PF