Restoration Voigtlander Brillant

[Kjeldebu]

Hi,

I have a Voilgtland Brillant from my father, I think the 1946 version. Anyway, I have a project with our daughter to get it back in working condition.

We've cleaned most parts on the outside including the focus ring + lens, but I'm struggling to figure out how to disassemble the lens to get at the shutter and self-timer mechanism. Dust seems to prevent them from working properly.

Anyone to help me out? I've searched for disassembly videos, but no luck there.

I've tried to upload a photo, but it didn't seem to work. Will try later again.

Thanks!

Jonathan

 

[Kjeldebu]

photos

photos

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Here are the photos

 

[nhchen]

Hi Jonathan
I’ve only taken apart a few focusing Brillants. But I would think there will be a few small screws holding the front of the lens on. Either on the front or maybe on the side of the lens. Once those are loose you should be able to unscrew the front elements off the focusing threads. But make sure to make a mark somewhere so you know where infinity focus is, otherwise you’ll have to calibrate it afterwards. Under that there is probably another lens element there, you may need a rubber tool to unscrew it. Once you’ve taken the front lens elements off then the you can access the shutter. At least that is what I did for the focusing Brillants. If you want to take the shutter from the body, you will have to unscrew a retaining ring from inside using a lens spanner.
Hope that helps a little bit.
Nathan

 

[Sarcophilus Harrisii]

You can see two retaining screws on the front of the lens. That's a fairly obvious clue. The lens must first come out to disassemble the shutter. I'm not familiar with this camera but it may impact the focus adjustment. You will need to be prepared to potentially re-calibrate the focus on re-assembly. And will need to note and mark precisely how the different components relate to each other, in order to get the focus correctly adjusted during re-assembly. There is a learning curve to all this, so ensure that you're up to it.

 

[Kjeldebu]

You can see two retaining screws on the front of the lens. That's a fairly obvious clue.

Thanks Sarcophilus, indeed, it's an obvious indication, but unfortunately, this only gives access to the focusing lens, not to the shutter mechanism!

 

[Kjeldebu]

Sorry, I realise I wasn't 100% clear: I haven't cleaned the outside of the focusing ring+lens. I did get that off and have cleaned in inside and out.
Didn't see any other screws though!


Thanks

 

[Kjeldebu]

Hi Jonathan
Under that there is probably another lens element there, you may need a rubber tool to unscrew it. Once you’ve taken the front lens elements off then the you can access the shutter.
Nathan

Thanks nhchen, could you tell me what you mean by a rubber tool?

 

[nhchen]

Most lenses have slots in them for a lens spanner to help unscrew them. But sometimes there aren’t any slots, I remember there were none for the focusing brillants I repaired. So to help you grip the lens you have to use a piece of rubber. They’re are also useful because they won’t scratch the lens. If you search for a lens repair rubber tool, you’ll see what I mean.
Nathan

 

[Kjeldebu]

Thanks! I'll look at it this aftenoon.

 

[Sarcophilus Harrisii]

Accessing the shutter means first extracting the front lens mount and (if applicable) centre group in order to remove the front cover plate of this shutter (which by the appearance of the finishing ring would appear to be a Prontor, a decent quality and less complex design than most Compurs). Not having worked on this particular Voigtländer previously, but having tended to numerous other models—if there are no other visible means of removing the lens—I would take out said screws after observing the usual precautions, and take it from there.

It should be noted that removing the lens from the shutter housing is the easy bit, in comparison to disassembling the shutter, cleaning it and reassembling. If the former presents too many challenges, you might possibly wish to consider having the shutter professionally attended to. As mentioned, it is a reliable but fairly basic design without an excessive number of internal parts, so should not be particularly expensive to have serviced.
Regards,
Brett

 

[Ambro51]

Brave Man.