Minox B film counter problem

[Sotaxme]

This is my first post on Rangefinder after joining last night, so please forgive me in advance if I am posting in wrong forum, and feel free to correct or flame me for it!

I own a pair of Minox-B’s...one made in 1957, and other in 1969. I carried the ‘57 around the world in 80’s and 90’s, and want to bequeath it to my daughter. The ‘69 is mint and now my carry cam.

The problem is that my ‘57 film counter is not counting. Stuck at 15 exposures. It is winding each time, but not counting up. I know this, because I marked a small Sharpie dot on the winder in the film holder (without film canister installed of course). The dot did move around, and by the same amount in my ‘69. Everything else seems to work fine, except for the usual Selenium light meter fading out with time...I know that from comparison to my ‘69, which is still reading correctly. I am possibly capable of performing a repair with all jewelers tools and lighted eye magnifier. But before stripping down into it, I would very much appreciate any advice of what problem is awaiting me inside. I have watched YouTube videos on the strip down (but have seen not one on reassembly, so going to reassemble in reverse order).

Thank you all in advance!

 

[PRJ]

You need to take off the shells then the top. The counter is acted on by a pawl. Sounds like one of them is either stuck or they aren't engaging. The pawl tends to rotate out of place when you have the top off or when the shutter blades are removed.

While you are in there clean the shutter blades and the channel, or just replace the blades (and clean the channel) just in case someone tried to lube them along the way. It is a royal pain to unjam the blades if they stick.

Do not try to clean the viewfinder with anything. You will ruin it. The front and back glass pieces can be cleaned though.

 

[Sotaxme]

Great advice PRJ. This is why I joined Rangefinder. BTW, I am buying one of Mr. Jimmy Li’s 35mm film splitters. I bought 11 rolls of Blue Moon’s 8mm x 11mm film at $20 each. Great film and 3 day delivery...just too expensive for me compared to four 30 exposure strips from a single 35mm roll. And when Mr. Jimmy’s splitter comes in, I can use any film choice. I will surely use Blue Moon for developing and printing until I can buy a subminiature color enlarger...that has been difficult to find. I worked a darkroom about 40 years ago, so going back in the day.

Thank you for your reply, and I truly invite any others to respond to the original post, or advice on subminiature darkroom equipment or advice as well

 

[zuiko85]

I have a IIIs from 1955 and shoot a 20in length of slit film for about 30 exposures. But with the age of the camera no longer do I reset the counter by cycling the advance. I figure it is too much wear on an old camera. Now I just note where the counter is when I load a new film and go from there.

 

[Godfrey]

I have a IIIs from 1955 and shoot a 20in length of slit film for about 30 exposures. But with the age of the camera no longer do I reset the counter by cycling the advance. I figure it is too much wear on an old camera. Now I just note where the counter is when I load a new film and go from there.

That means your frame spacing will be progressively off as the film advances, since the film advance mechanism takes account of the counter position to determine how far to advance the film and create the correct frame spacing.

Advancing the counter to the proper start point isn't a big deal if you're shooting 30-36 exposure rolls. I wouldn't worry about it.

When it comes to fixing a bad counter (or any other problem on a camera, really), I send my cameras to a professional who knows what they're doing and have them repaired, cleaned, and adjusted as needed. Don Goldberg has done this work for me on the Minox cameras when (infrequently) needed.

My Minox submini cameras have been amongst my most reliable cameras: I have several (IIIS, two B, C, two EC) .. All are working beautifully. One of the EC and the C are the two I have used the most recently (about nine months back). The most serious problem I had was an EC with a shutter fault that Don took care of in short order. I also had him do a CLA on the C shortly after I acquired it in 1993; it continues to work perfectly.

G

 

[Pál_K]

That means your frame spacing will be progressively off as the film advances, since the film advance mechanism takes account of the counter position to determine how far to advance the film and create the correct frame spacing.

Advancing the counter to the proper start point isn't a big deal if you're shooting 30-36 exposure rolls. I wouldn't worry about it.

When it comes to fixing a bad counter (or any other problem on a camera, really), I send my cameras to a professional who knows what they're doing and have them repaired, cleaned, and adjusted as needed. Don Goldberg has done this work for me on the Minox cameras when (infrequently) needed.
...

Thank you for mentioning the frame spacing - I was not aware of that either.

With a Minox II, IIIs, and a B, I’ve sent mine to Don as well.

 

[Sotaxme]

I have read many posts on websites from people saying they cannot contact Mr. Jimmy Li on Minox repairs, purchases, etc. I have had no such experience. Mr. Jimmy was on spot for me last couple nights. Bought a film splitter and 50 negative sleeves as well. I have a permanent film supply coming in now.

But I still do not have a direct answer as to what to be prepared for when I strip down one of my Minox-B’s to repair the stuck film exposure counter. And I understand that this forum may not have seen this happen. PRJ did provide great advice on the repair though. And a huge thanks to him. I will be placing an order for shutters and replace as necessary. But I fear that the problem will be deeper, and require more than one strip down. Further advice is requested.

Thank you PRJ

Rod