Konica S2 - access to aperture diaphragm

[jameslittle]

I have been inspired by this forum and other sites to try a rangefinder. First stop ebay, bought a Konica S2 that turned out to have a few problems: detached mirror, light metering not working, aperture not opening up.

I'm working my way through these using various guides and posts, for which I'm very grateful! However, what I can't seem to do is separate the shutter mechanism from the aperture mechanism. Everybody seems to skip over this bit as if it was really obvious, but maybe I'm just a bit thick?

Unfortunately, I can't get into the aperture diaphragm from behind either- the lock ring is too stiff, so I don't want to force it.

Can anyone give me some clues on this, or pointers to posts/sites that explain in more detail?

Thanks!

 

[btgc]

Do you mean Auto S2 not SII ?
If you haven't detached lens assembly from body and went further (and seems ayou are inside), I'd try not to open it.

If lens is off the body, then probably you already have unscrewed retaining ring on back and separated shutter from metal plate which is used to fasten whole piece to body.
Don't have a pics or notes, but from memory can tell that I took off rim, covering aperture selection mechanics, later unscrewed tiny screws from back. You will also need to take out small perpendicular brass piece from shutter charging pin to detach "backpan" containg aperture leafs, from front part where shutter leafs live.
Aperture leafs are living under round black metal sheet, keeping them on "backpan" (two or three tiny screws).

Once you have taken it all apart, you can wash and clean up all leafs and rest. Cleaning shutter and aperture that way is best.

 

[jameslittle]

Thanks for the quick reply, btgc.

The camera is indeed a Konica S2 auto (not SII).

I have attached photos to show you what stage I am at. You will see that I have taken the lens barrel off the body, and the front lens off the lens barrel.

Do the four red arrows in the 'back.jpg' photo indicate the retaining ring slots? I have attempted to remove this by pushing anti-clockwise with a screwdriver applied to one of the four notches - without success. Am I going in the right direction, and is there a better way of doing this?

After removing the retaining ring, I assume I will then have to unscrew the inner lens ring (green arrows show notches) using the same approach.

Where is the 'small perpendicular brass piece' that you refer to?

Thanks again 🙂

 

[btgc]

Right, once you unscrew notched retaining ring or rather cylinder, shutter will slip out of mounting plate.


'small perpendicular brass piece' will come in play later, when you will want to dismantle shutter itself, separating it into two halves. For that "piece" look at back.jpg - between lower red and right green arrows is hole where winding shaft is visible. On end of shaft "that piece" is visible. But it's needed a bit later.

Glad I can share my ~70hrs experience on this camera 🙂

 

[jameslittle]

Finally managed to get it all working! Except the exposure meter - I couldn't isolate any evident electrical or mechanical faults...but it still doesn't work. But it has been a good learning experience, and I think I have now earned the right to take photos with it 🙂