New GS Arrived. Question???

[dazedgonebye]

Just got my GS in and she looks pretty good. Mechanically the controls feel fine. I'll get a battery in it tonight and check out the electronics.
One thing does strike me though.
The back does not seem to latch as securely as I would expect. With the back closed, I can squeeze lightly on the latch end and the cover moves in and out about 1/8th of an inch.
Is this kind of looseness normal?

 

[dazedgonebye]

What condition are the seals in? And is this an e-bay camera?

The seals look good. I don't see any breaks. I poked at them a bit and they are pliable.
Yes, it is an ebay camera. The one I mentioned in a PM to you.

 

[dazedgonebye]

I'm guessing that the back is bowed or the hinge has problems. It looks good though, so it's really hard for me to tell.
So, in goes a roll of film to see if it's tight or if I'm paying the price for ebay again.

 

[dazedgonebye]

It looks like it is slightly bent in toward the body, between the pressure plate and the latch. Perhaps a little gentle pressure....

 

[dazedgonebye]

Well, it seems slightly improved. It looks straight enough.
Perhaps it took a fall sometime in its life and is now and forever out of alignment.
Assuming the electricals check out, I'll put film in it tomorrow and then we'll know for sure.
Thanks for the help g'man.

 

[dazedgonebye]

The hinge side looks great. The latch side is intact...perhaps a bit compressed, but then, I don't know what it should look like.

 

[dazedgonebye]

Don't worry, nothing I shoot is important. I just like to play at it.
Thanks again.

 

[dazedgonebye]

Well, it's got power now. Green light from the battery check. I'm not sure about the shutter speeds though. The darn shutter is so quiet!
One twist on the cardboard tube solution for the battery...instead, I used a bit of clear vinyl tube, 5/8 outside diameter, 1/2 inside diameter. The 128A battery fits snugly inside and the tube fits the battery compartment perfectly. Add to that a spring from a radio shack AA battery holder and we're in business.

 

[dazedgonebye]

I shot off a quick roll at lunch. I'm sure there won't be much to show off when I get the film back. Really, I was just looking for light tightness and reasonable metering.

Impressions so far:
It's a brick! Certainly a behemoth next to my cute little Retina IIa.
I like the viewfinder.
I miss not knowing the shutter speed.
It's incredibly quiet.
Film handling is straitforward and easy.
The shutter button is mushy and takes some getting used to. Between the feel of the button and the near silence of the shutter, I had to check that I'd actually taken a shot once or twice.
I need a wrist strap to give me confidence walking around with it.

Scans tonight or tomorrow...I hope.

 

[dazedgonebye]

First shots and a light leak

First shots and a light leak

First shots...it definitely has a light leak. The first frame was shot with the cap on after walking around in the sun for a few minutes (Yes, this was a test and not a rangefinder lens cap accident!).

 

[b1bmsgt]

Seems like a pretty minor leak. Doesn't seem to show up on the prints that you posted. Looks like you need to change the foam on the film door at the hinge end.

Russ 😀

 

[dazedgonebye]

I was in the shade before and after those shots. Here's one taken after several minutes of walking around in the sun.
This is by far the worst from the roll, but several others were noticeable.