Retina Reflex S repair.. Not too impressed

[colyn]

I recently picked up a working Reflex S except for one thing...the meter was working but the follower was not.

I pulled the top and while I cannot say for sure that he did it but it stands to reason. The meter cord was wrapped around the meter housing and taped. This is poor repair service in my opinion and the reason I think he may have done it is because to remove this cord you have to remove the front standard with shutter assembly and you have to know what you are doing to do this.

The repairman sticker on the inside film chamber said George J. Mrus in Jupiter Fl.

I have since re-installed the cord per the service manual for the Retina IIIS which is the same.

 

[Sarcophilus Harrisii]

I recently picked up a working Reflex S except for one thing...the meter was working but the follower was not.

I pulled the top and while I cannot say for sure that he did it but it stands to reason. The meter cord was wrapped around the meter housing and taped. This is poor repair service in my opinion and the reason I think he may have done it is because to remove this cord you have to remove the front standard with shutter assembly and you have to know what you are doing to do this.

The repairman sticker on the inside film chamber said George J. Mrus in Jupiter Fl.

I have since re-installed the cord per the service manual for the Retina IIIS which is the same.

Curiosity got the better of me, and google led me right back to RFF when I punched in: George J Mrus camera repair. Apparently he is deceased.
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showpost.php?p=706497&postcount=5

I agree it's not very satisfactory. To be fair perhaps it was at the owner's behest. Some owners just won't spend a cent more than they have to and, as you've said, a considerable amount of additional work is apparently needed to restore proper functionality. Having a fondness for lens shutter SLRs maybe I'll find out first hand one day. I don't have a Retina Reflex yet, but I wouldn't rule one out.
Cheers
Brett

 

[colyn]

I agree most people don't want to pay anymore than they can get away with,,

I would think though that the price would include re-stringing and since these meters are still working and reasonably accurate I don't understand why someone would want it disabled. In addition, if this string comes loose it would most likely foul the works requiring another expensive teardown.

If the truth be known re-stringing a Retina isn't too difficult. It just takes a bit longer.. This one took me less than an hour to get done. The only special tool needed was a small piece of wood to hold the tension pulley till I was ready to set it..

 

[Sarcophilus Harrisii]

That's good to know Colyn, thanks for that.
Cheers
Brett