Retina Automatic III, thrift store adventure.

[68degrees]

So I went back and got it this morning. Last night I looked at it and 29 bucks, the meter didnt work, the shutter I thought fired, actually didnt. When you push the button it makes a shutter sound but the aperture doesnt open. It waits 10 seconds or so or not and then opens and closes at what appears to be the accurate shutter speed. You can hear some random sounds in side while its deciding to fire or not.. Also there was a dent on top over the meter that I didnt see last night. Rangefinder hazy.

Today i went and got it. More horrors. I opened the film door and saw the supply shaft was broken and had been glued (poorly). It was plastic.

Heres what Ive done so far.
1) Took the top off, replaced broken plastic supply shaft with metal one from parts retina IIc. Nice.

2). Cleaned rangefinder windows and mirrors. Nice.

3) I dont know why, but once I got the top off the meter started working again and seems fairly accurate.

4) Film counter works.

5) Tapped out the dent with a small wooden dowel against a block of wood. 95% improvement. Satisfactory.

6) Put top back on and meter still works!.


Now I could actually have a fully functional Retina here. Another save.

What remains now is the shutter. Im hoping its just dirty. But how do I get at the shutter? I hope I dont have to remove those tiny tiny teenzy weenzy screws on the side of the depth of field scale.

Any insight is appreciated. Thanks

 

[68degrees]

now the meter stopped working again. This is madness. How can it work one minute and the next it stops. maybe contact spray?

 

[68degrees]

Ok I got the shutter working now. I couldnt open it up so I took the top off again and looked down and saw some star wheels for the shutter and carefully applied some rosinol. It fixed it immediately. Hopefully it stays. SPeeds sound right on.

Meter wasnt working, then worked, then stopped, then worked again and was accurate compared to known good meters. Then worked but was off and now doesnt work at all?? Madness. When the top was off I saw that the light meter assembly is well sealed against moisture, I did see a tiny bit of green through the window but I cant say if it was corrosion or not. I have fixed argus light meters before. Im afraid to open it. Its got little cords connected to the asa dial and the shutter speed dial.

can anyone advise? If it didnt work I could just accept it and shoot manual but because I see that it can work, the cell is good, it must be something else. Its madening. help.

 

[oftheherd]

I don't know anything about Retinas. But I sure like your tenacity with this one. Hope you get it working well. I seem to recall that Ed Romney gave some advice on some one or another of the Retinas. You might check you local library to see it they have any of his books.