Konica S2

[Kat]

I just received a Konica S2 from the 'bay. The description said the barrel had a dent, but from what I can see, the dents are on the skylight filter in front of the lens. My problem is, I can't seem to get the thing off the camera. Any suggestions on how to loosen it?

Also, in my attempts to twist the filter off, something gave, and it seems that the black portion of the barrel (the camera I got didn't have the hood) is now moving along with the apperture ring every time I turn it. Is this normal, or ok? If not, will it have any adverse effects? Does anyone know how I can fix it? Thanks!

 

[KoNickon]

Obviously, having the black barrel portion turning loose isn't supposed to happen. But does it want to unscrew, or does it just "float" loose? If the latter, I'd say not to worry about it. (I am assuming it won't tighten back up.)

As for removing the filter, I would suggest you look for thin strap wrenches -- use one on the filter and the other on the lens front. Micro-Tools used to carry these, but I don't see them at their website (www.micro-tools.com).

 

[fidget]

I had to remove the black barrel to get at the shutter speed ring for a clean and lube. Once the front bezel is off you will see how the barrel is fixed on, clamped under a special nut with lock screw. Sounds like you have forced it open, unless it now turns from behind the shutter ring which is ..er probably not good.
Links in here: http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=36249
It's a beaut of a camera if you can get it sorted out. Don't rush it and use the correct tools.
Dave.

Oh i see from your post that it is turning the aperture ring. the info in the links shows a pin which is meant to stop the barrel rotating.

 

[Kat]

Thanks, guys, I'll work on that filter and hopefully be able to get it off to get to the black barrel. The barrel twists only between 9 o'clock to 3 o'clock, far as I can tell.

Thank you so much for the link, fidget, looks like my shutter blades are also sticky so I'll also need to get inside. I think having the black barrel twisting around might have cut off my meter wires inside. The battery check acknowledges the battery, but the needle no longer moves.🙁

 

[greyhoundman]

You have sheared off the two locator pins for the barrel assembly. If real lucky, they may have bent over. They usually don't though.
One pin is part of the self timer. The other is located on the other side as part of the slow speed escapement.

 

[Trius]

For future reference, I use a strap wrench to handle stuck filters. Other devices have been devised, but this tool is the one I like the best because the rubber material is safer in practice, at least in my hands.

Edit: Fixed the link

 

[Kat]

greyhoundman--yikes! darn that filter that started all this. About the self-timer, it wasn't working (wouldn't move) when I first got the camera, now that all this happened, it does. If I had indeed ruined those locator pins, would it be possible to DIY a replacement?

Trius, thank you for the pic. The link appear to be for something else? But anyway, one more in the list of tools to get...

 

[greyhoundman]

I doubt being able to fab pins. But when you get it apart send me a picture of the shutter system. I may have the parts here.
I would have busted the glass filter and collapsed the ring with pliers. Filters are a lot cheaper than lens assemblies. 😉

 

[Trius]

Kat: I fixed the link ... sorry about that!

 

[Kat]

Trius, Thanks!

Greyhoundman, I never imagined something like this could happen😱 ...if I had, I would never have laid a hand on that filter and just sent off the whole camera to a repair guy (*sigh*). I didn't even use a tool or anything on that filter, just tried to twist it off with my hand, then something just gave.:bang: Will do on the photo of the shutter system, thanks for all the help!🙂

 

[greyhoundman]

The pins are very small. It is easy to shear them off. You may get lucky and just bent them over. But don't get your hopes up.
I found my spare shutter. Let me know if you need it.

 

[Kat]

Will do, appreciate it a lot, Dave!🙂

 

[DeeCee3]

Kat...I realize this is a week late...wish I'd checked the forum sooner. Are you absolutely positive your S2 does not have the built-in hood? Your original symptom sounded exactly like my situation when I bought my second S2. There was a filter apparently jammed on the threads. I was able to get it loose by using a filter wrench. I then noticed that what I thought was the lens barrel was moving loosely. M-O-N-T-H-S later I discovered it was the hood!!! Was my face red, or what?? My first S2 was bought when they were new...40 years ago...and I didn't remember the "collapsible" hood feature. I would not be at all surprised if you don't find your camera has a hood after all. Lotsa luck!

 

[Kat]

DeeCee, I'm actually not sure...But I figured it was the barrel when it moved along every time I changed the apperture, and that sensor for the meter in the front of the lens also turns around. Will check for sure once I get that dang filter off. Thanks for the tip.

 

[Farace]

DeeCee, I'm actually not sure...But I figured it was the barrel when it moved along every time I changed the apperture, and that sensor for the meter in the front of the lens also turns around. Will check for sure once I get that dang filter off. Thanks for the tip.

I've just joined, so I'm jumping in late to this thread, but if the light cell is turning, too, then you've sheared (or hopefully bent) the pins for sure. I did that with my first Auto S2. Seems like every time I open one up I learn something new about them. You don't want to turn the barrel too far, as you'll strain, and possibly shear off, the rather thin wires running between the light meter needle unit and the cell. Finding that gauge wire, at least in my area, was near impossible. Fishing a new wire through the lens up to the top deck is a real chore!

 

[douwe]

Hi,

I've bought a broken S2 for EUR 20,- and I'm in the middle of repairing it. I got the light meter going again, and I managed to glue the rangefinder mirror back on, I know there are two screws to adjust its position, but how do I know it's properly positioned? This may be a silly question but I cant find the answer...

thanks,
Douwe

 

[Farace]

Hi,

I've bought a broken S2 for EUR 20,- and I'm in the middle of repairing it. I got the light meter going again, and I managed to glue the rangefinder mirror back on, I know there are two screws to adjust its position, but how do I know it's properly positioned? This may be a silly question but I cant find the answer...

thanks,
Douwe

I'm no expert, but what I did was to focus the camera to infinity and make sure the rangefinder images matched when aimed on a distant object. I believe I also aimed at a close object at a measured distance, set that distance on the focus ring, and made sure the images matched. Hopefully I did it right . . .

 

[douwe]

Thanks Bob!

I will try this and shoot some pictures with it. It seems that I'll have a working S2 for very little money... ;-)

Douwe

 

[douwe]

sheared wires

sheared wires

Well, adjusting the rangefinder turned out to be an easy job. The next thing I noticed was that the light meter didn't really work all the time. Only when I focused on an object nearby. Isn't that funny? Someone must have sheared, or almost sheared, the wires.
Anyhow, I'm in the process of re-wiring the camera. And I can assure you that it is quite a bit of work!

Any tips on putting new wires through the aperture/shutter part?

Cheers,
Douwe

 

[Farace]

Wow, you've taken yours apart much farther than I ever did! I threaded new wires through with just the lens and shutter loose, and it was a real chore. You'll probably have an easier time, being more disassembled. You might not have much choice in wire at that narrow a gauge, but if you do, get the toughest insulation you can, although I suspect that if the lens assembly isn't given a strong twist to overcome the locating pins, shearing shouldn't be a problem. And give the wire enough slack; you don't want them pulling against the metal edges.

I should probably save your photo as a parts reference!