Konica S2

[bcs89]

Hi all, and thank you for a great forum/source of info. I just recently started using some old Rangfinders that I had had for a long time (my fathers) but had never used. My interest was sparked after I had purchased a TLR and had to send it in to be cleaned - the turn around time was very long, and being itching to go I pulled out these "old" "outdated" 35mm's that used to be my dads and fell in love! Anyway, after buying new light seals I was turned on to this excellent site and was doing pretty well (I thought) by just reading the archives...till now. My question is about a Konica S2 - it had a stuck aperture that I was able to unstick but now when I re-assemble the lens, it binds when I try and adjust the aperture. I assume it has something to do with the where the film speed is set during assembly, but..... any info would be great - even just a nudge in the right direction.

Thank you in advance,
Scott

PS
The S2 I am working on is one I picked up cheap to try my hand at camera repair - just in case something like this happened - but it is in such nice shape it would be a shame not to get it working.

 

[JoeFriday]

hi Scott.. we're always glad to have another cheesehead join up.. you're in William's (wlewisiii) neighborhood, so he might be able to help you out if you get stuck.. and of course there's BDC Camera Repair in Madtown

I don't have any advice about the Konica.. but they have a great reputation, so I hope you get it working!

 

[Kim Coxon]

Hi and welcome,
Having "done" a couple of S2s, I may be able to help. Firstly can you post a pic of the problem area, it might help. Secondly , how did you unstick it in the first place?

Regards
Kim

 

[bcs89]

You are right Brett, we do have BDC in town and they are good, they are also the only game in town so sometimes not so speedy (4 1/2 weeks and counting on my yashica 12 for a lens cleaning). Kim, to unstick the blades I removed the retaining ring on the lens and the "name plate ring" below it then slide out, I was then able to unscrew the front lens element and access the shutter/aperture. With the shutter set to bulb I was able to dab at the aperture with ronsonal on a q-tip. After a few minutes it worked properly, the problem arose when re-assembling the lens - just reversed the procedure but when done I had the binding problem. The reason I think it may have something to do with the ASA is that when it is adjusted there is a brass lever that protrudes out from the lens assembly and appears to engage a slot in the underside of the "nameplate ring". I am sorry I can not post a picture but my digital is at work (and I'm not till Wednesday 🙂 I understand you may not be able to help with this limited info - will get photos as soon as possible, just stumped since I did not really disassemble anything, just removed the retaining ring and unscrewed the front element...seems as though it should just "go back together" the way it came apart. Spoken like a real novice, I know....

Cheers,
Scott

 

[Kim Coxon]

Hi Scott,
Within the "nameplate ring" is a plate with various size holes/slots in it which restrict the light to the CdS cell, which is how the metering system works. It is a fairly standard set up with these cameras. With the S2 it is enclosed within the nameplate ring rather than as a seperate plate as per the Canons. My best guess, at the moment, is that either you haven't got it engaged properly or you haven't seated the nameplate ring correctly. There is also a detent to make sure the whole ring sits in the right place to ensure the meter ring is in the right place. If it is not seated correctly, it is likely to be at an angle and this will cause your binding.

Kim

 

[Tony Rose]

I send all my S2s to JURGEN KUSCHNIK at JURGEN.KU@ADELPHIA.NET. He knows them well and can return them in less tha two weeks. Also he will adjust the meter for the newer PX-625 battery.

TR

 

[bcs89]

Kim, you were right about the alignment - though I swear I had lined it up the first time - no matter, it no longer binds, thank you! Tony, thanks for the info, it may come in handy down the road. Now I just need to calibrate the RF and replace the seals....I may be back 🙂

Cheers
Scott

PS
In re-reading my earlier post I noticed that I had said the lens bound up when adjusting the aperture, it was actually binding when adjusting the shutter speeds - guess I had aperture on my mind (probably did not help the trouble shooting process - sorry)

 

[Kim Coxon]

The best seals come from Jon Goodman. A member here and also as Interslice on eBay. If you send him an email, he will send you the S2 instructions.

Kim

Kim, you were right about the alignment - though I swear I had lined it up the first time - no matter, it no longer binds, thank you! Tony, thanks for the info, it may come in handy down the road. Now I just need to calibrate the RF and replace the seals....I may be back 🙂

Cheers
Scott

PS
In re-reading my earlier post I noticed that I had said the lens bound up when adjusting the aperture, it was actually binding when adjusting the shutter speeds - guess I had aperture on my mind (probably did not help the trouble shooting process - sorry)

 

[bcs89]

The best seals come from Jon Goodman. A member here and also as Interslice on eBay. If you send him an email, he will send you the S2 instructions.

Kim

That where I got 'em 🙂 Also how I found this great site!

Cheers,
Scott