Nikon L35AF2 problems

[KevinVH]

Hi everyone

I wanted to share/ask for some advice. I have a Nikon L35AF2, and it worked fine for me until this morning. I wanted to make a video about it and fired some shots with the back open.

From that point on the shutter button got stuck. The counter wouldn't rewind too, so I decided to open the camera as much as I can.

I was able to reset the film counter, but the button is still stuck. However if I push really hard ( like almost breaking my finger ) the button goes down and the camera works as it should which leads me to the following conclusion:

If the counter reaches 36 it blocks the shutter button to go down to stop the film from advancing, and breaking the roll of film inside. So I'm guessing the plastic tab that prevents the shutterbutton from going down isn't returning to its normal position.

I am unable to open the front of the camera, and I can't see what blocks the shutterbutton from going down.

Does anyone has any advice?

 

[nparsons13]

I had an L35AF with a loose on/off switch that didn't make good contact. By removing the two screws on the latch end, the one on the hinge end, and the one on the back near the viewfinder, you can remove the back, which includes the rear part of the top. That gives access to the switch and the upper rear area of the shutter button. It may also give you access to screws to remove the front, although I didn't look for that.

Your best recourse may be to do what I did: buy another one in better condition. That also solved a loose battery door problem (no more black tape to hold it closed).

I assume the L35AF2 has the same 5-element lens as the first model. If so, it's certainly worth the few dollars you'll have to spend for another. In fact, you may want to consider the L35AF instead; it has a manual ASA/ISO dial instead of DX only. Max ISO on the dial in the earlier production runs was 400, but later ones went up to 1000.

 

[KevinVH]

I opened the camera up but found no way to get to the shutter button. The entire film counter mechanism is in front of it and I can't see clear enough what's going on.

I would like to get this one working because this was a gift from someone that means a lot to me.

 

[KevinVH]

Ok guess it's hopeless?

 

[farlymac]

Wish I had a broken one to open up and see what you're talking about. But since you are having trouble with the shutter button going down, something may have come loose, and is now blocking it. You may have to look for screws underneath the grip rubber to be able to get the front off.

PF

 

[nparsons13]

I took the back off my old one and then attempted to get the front off as well. There is a screw under the grip on the right side (facing the front) that loosens that side, but nothing under the grip on the left except a plastic tab in a slot. I tried pushing and prying the tab, but it appears that the self-timer lever is holding that end of the front panel on. I tried using friction to turn the button holding the lever, and I tried prying it, but neither technique worked.

I'll look at it again tomorrow. Perhaps a destructive analysis would be in order, since I have a new one that works perfectly. The only other use for this one is on a bookend.

 

[Greyscale]

I took the back off my old one and then attempted to get the front off as well. There is a screw under the grip on the right side (facing the front) that loosens that side, but nothing under the grip on the left except a plastic tab in a slot. I tried pushing and prying the tab, but it appears that the self-timer lever is holding that end of the front panel on. I tried using friction to turn the button holding the lever, and I tried prying it, but neither technique worked.

I'll look at it again tomorrow. Perhaps a destructive analysis would be in order, since I have a new one that works perfectly. The only other use for this one is on a bookend.

There is also a screw hidden in the film chamber.

 

[nparsons13]

Kevin, I finally got back to the L35AF this afternoon, took off the back, and looked again for the screws for the front. The bottom is part of the same molding, so first take out the three screws in the bottom; they are different sizes, so be sure to remember which size goes where. The self-timer switch doesn't come off.

Besides the screw under the grip on the right side (facing the lens), there are two chrome screws in the canister chamber, holding on the chrome spacer, and two black screws in the takeup chamber, hidden almost under the takeup reel. Take those out, and the front and bottom will come off in one piece. Be careful of the viewfinder glass, which may fall out when you lift the front, as mine did.

To remove the shutter button assembly. remove the large chrome C-ring underneath the top plate, and the assembly will then lift out. If your on/off switch is loose, you might try to increase tension on the switch cam by gently bending the thin springs on either side, but be aware that they are very thin, and if they are worn they'll break and fall out of position.

That's as far as I got, because the only thing wrong with this camera seemed to be the loose on/off switch. lf you need to go deeper into your camera, I'll let you take up the description at this point.

 

[KevinVH]

Kevin, I finally got back to the L35AF this afternoon, took off the back, and looked again for the screws for the front. The bottom is part of the same molding, so first take out the three screws in the bottom; they are different sizes, so be sure to remember which size goes where. The self-timer switch doesn't come off.

Besides the screw under the grip on the right side (facing the lens), there are two chrome screws in the canister chamber, holding on the chrome spacer, and two black screws in the takeup chamber, hidden almost under the takeup reel. Take those out, and the front and bottom will come off in one piece. Be careful of the viewfinder glass, which may fall out when you lift the front, as mine did.

To remove the shutter button assembly. remove the large chrome C-ring underneath the top plate, and the assembly will then lift out. If your on/off switch is loose, you might try to increase tension on the switch cam by gently bending the thin springs on either side, but be aware that they are very thin, and if they are worn they'll break and fall out of position.

That's as far as I got, because the only thing wrong with this camera seemed to be the loose on/off switch. lf you need to go deeper into your camera, I'll let you take up the description at this point.

THANKS! That's a huge help. I'll take a look at that this Sunday since I'm swamped until then. My shutterbutton isn't loose, it's stuck. I'll get back to you this Sunday. Thanks for the help so far!

 

[KevinVH]

THANKS! That's a huge help. I'll take a look at that this Sunday since I'm swamped until then. My shutterbutton isn't loose, it's stuck. I'll get back to you this Sunday. Thanks for the help so far!

Okay, I gotten around to open the camera. I just got confused with the screws under the grip. I took of the grip on the front of the camera. What I noticed is that there is just 1 screw right next to the take up spool, and another one under the batteries, or both behind, depending on how you hold the camera. I got the front of, and took a close look at everything. I fired the camera a few times, and rewound it a few times. Looks like it's okay now, Still don't know what blocked the shutter button, I don't think something was in the way. I'll try to get a roll through it soon, but I think it's fixed. Thanks for your help, couldn't have done it without it.

here a picture of the camera dissasembled, with my lovely :bang: face next to it!

​

 

[Noserider]

I like these cameras very much. In my experience these have lots of plastic taking the roles formerly held by metal pieces, and sometimes the plastic is not up to the task after 30 years. Once you get inside it is often that the problem is pretty obvious. Spare parts are handy. Good lens tho' and an interesting one as well.

 

[farlymac]

Sometimes, when this type of compact gets dropped, things can get dislodged very easily. When you opened it up, the offending part may have slipped back into place on its own. Sneaky little buggers, they are.

PF

 

[KevinVH]

The thing is that I didn't drop it.
I was firing it though without a roll in it, seems that the camera doesn't like to be played with. Everything's working now! Another reason to be proud to be a part of this awesome forum!