Retina IIa - Cocking Lever Problem or Just Stickiness??

[dwmosman]

Last winter I began a serious effort to learn photography, albeit using a digital camera. However, after browsing this forum awhile, I was tempted into taking a small flyer on a retina iia.

As others have said, it's a lovely little piece of machinery. While not grade A, everything seems to work. The shutter appears to fire cleanly, the range finder ranges, and the shutter speed and f-stop cheerily move to their appointed place.

However, my film advance lever occasionally locks and requires the film release button to continue. So I wonder if I'm developing the infamous cocking rack problem or if its just general stickiness (it probably could do with a cla). Will it perhaps improve if I reqularly exercise the camera or am i slowly grinding away my little gears??

There are actually two different circumstances and I don't know if they're related or not.

First of all, after taking a picture, sometimes the film advance lever remains locked (even thought the film counter is not at 1). Pushing the release button frees it and I can advance the film.

Secondly, I have times when, after advancing the filem the advance lever will not click free and return. Its like I can't quite advance it far enough to trigger the release (even though the film counter advanced and the shutter was set). Once again use of the release button allows it to release back and I can proceed.

So if anyone has advice, I'd appreciate it. If the cocking lever is dying, I might be better off simply trying to replace the camera. If its just stickiness, then maybe a CLA is in order or maybe it will free up a little with regular use??

 

[VictorM.]

It could be the old lubricants, but it's more likely partially worn teeth on the cocking rack. A cla is probably the best solution because another camera could also have problems.

 

[zorroflores]

You can see a complete desciption on disassembly, cleaning and assembly the cocking rack here: http://homepages.ihug.co.nz/~Srawhiti/retina1astripdown.html

My guess is that the release lever assembly, item B in pic 6 is sticky or gummied and not alway free to release the winding lever.

 

[bkrystad]

I had a slowly building list of little nits and gotchas with my IIa, and haven't regretted the complete CLA I finally sprang for this past spring one bit. Works smoothly and care free. Very fun little cameras.

 

[dwmosman]

Thanks for the Help

Thanks for the Help

Thank you all.

Encouraged by your comments, I looked online and found a more readable version of the manual with a couple of interesting statements.

"The Film Release...you can rectify any jamming which may lock the mechanism of the rapid winder by simply pressing this button..."

Whoa! I knew what the releasee button was for, but assumed it was a troubleshooting procedure. This makes it sound very commonplace.

"Loading the Film...push the rewind knob fully back into the camera body, at the same time turning it in the direction of the arrow [i.e., the rewind direction]..."

OK. So I reloaded the camera only this time I turned the rewind knob until I had taken up all the slack between the film canister and the takeup reel. Voila! Tonight the camera ran through the film roll three times, sluggishly but more or less flawlessly, requiring the film release button only once or twice.


So it looks promising that a CLA will put things to right. There certainly could be some worn parts but cleaning out the gunk will likely free everything up to keep on keeping on for another few years!
(Hmmm, now to persuade my "other" that this is just routine home maintenance expense, not part of my hobby budget)

 

[Letien]

The price of retina IIa is so low now that it would be better find a working sample than spending for CLA and shipping. On the other hand, it is quite simple to clean and lubricate the winding mechanism. Just follow instruction from Christ website to remove the top and clean the winding gear with lighter fluid then relubricate with some light oil. It's not necessary to disassemply the gear if you not confident to do so.
Good luck

 

[dwmosman]

Where do you find these? I bought mine off the bay but recent prices seem to be $50 and up, delivered, no matter what shape they're in.

 

[Steve Bellayr]

Tom A. on this site stated the following: Unless otherwise stated assume that a camera 30+ years old will need a CLA. Add it into your purchase price. It is very good advice and worth repeating. The best way to do it is to find a comparable camera listed by a dealer in excellent + condition (hope,fully with a recent CLA). Determine the CLA on the model to be purchased. Subtract the CLA from the retail price that is your purchase or bidding price on a used camera or repairing your camera.

 

[bobomoon]

It might just be the film counter--it's linked and a common problem with the IIa. I disassembled mine and put it back together so the film counter is disengaged.

I don't remember exactly how it was done but it wasn't a big deal and you can easily put it back together if you feel overwhelmed (which I do remember almost happening).

 

[mr rusty]

I had this problem. If you remove the top you will see that both the shutter and the film release button both push down on a little button inside with a screw top. When you release the shutter this button must also be pushed down and lock to release the wind on. Sometimes, whilst the shutter is released, the button doesn't get pushed down far enough to lock down, and so it pops back up leavingthe wind-on locked. pressing the film release button pushes it down again and locks it down. You can either make sure you always push the shutter right down, or carefully unscrew the little button a bit so its a bit higher, and hence gets pushed down a bit further when the shutter is released - worked for me.