jesse1dog
Light Catcher
I've just received a Rich 500GX from eBay, of course.
Bought as a spares/repairs everything seems to work except the rangefinder. Cosmetically its just great and has a lens cap and a pristine case. The lens appears to be clear and does track in and out, but, the rangefinder patch does move.
First question - how do I get at the rangefinder because the top doesn't come off as far as I can see?
Second question - any ideas about what I might find when I do get into the camera?
jesse
Bought as a spares/repairs everything seems to work except the rangefinder. Cosmetically its just great and has a lens cap and a pristine case. The lens appears to be clear and does track in and out, but, the rangefinder patch does move.
First question - how do I get at the rangefinder because the top doesn't come off as far as I can see?
Second question - any ideas about what I might find when I do get into the camera?
jesse
seany65
Well-known
I'm afraid I'll have to necropost yet again.
jesse, the only info I can give, is that my "flat shoe" 500GX (as opposed to the "raised shoe" of the later version which was then later rebadged the 500 ME, of which I know nothing of the internals other than it has less foam in the light seals), has a silver screw above the top left of the top film guide rail, which I think I've read has something to do with adjusting the rangefinder. There is also a tiny thing on the top plate, just to the left of the hotshoe, I think I remember that this also has something to do with the rangefinder. I think you're supposed to remove it and fiddle with what's underneath. Up ntil now I'v never tried fiddling with either thing as I've not needed to and I'm a clumsy clot.
Anyway, the problem I have with my 500GX is that very recently the rangefinder patch has started to take a couple of seconds of moving on its own to get to the focused position when I turn the lens to infinity.
Has anyone got any idea of what can be done, apart from hitting it with a hammer of course, lol.
Any help would be much appreciated.
jesse, the only info I can give, is that my "flat shoe" 500GX (as opposed to the "raised shoe" of the later version which was then later rebadged the 500 ME, of which I know nothing of the internals other than it has less foam in the light seals), has a silver screw above the top left of the top film guide rail, which I think I've read has something to do with adjusting the rangefinder. There is also a tiny thing on the top plate, just to the left of the hotshoe, I think I remember that this also has something to do with the rangefinder. I think you're supposed to remove it and fiddle with what's underneath. Up ntil now I'v never tried fiddling with either thing as I've not needed to and I'm a clumsy clot.
Anyway, the problem I have with my 500GX is that very recently the rangefinder patch has started to take a couple of seconds of moving on its own to get to the focused position when I turn the lens to infinity.
Has anyone got any idea of what can be done, apart from hitting it with a hammer of course, lol.
Any help would be much appreciated.
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jesse1dog
Light Catcher
Thank you for giving a reply after all this time. Frankly I just gave up and went digital. Problems and issues now are rather different but then I do have a propensity to stick manual film lenses onto my digital camera.
SilverShutter
Member
I fixed a 500G a couple years ago that had this issue. Basically involved removing the entire lens and rangefinder assembly. You have to take the faceplate off, the rewind and advance levers, and then the lens block. The rangefinder is basically moved by a rod that couples to the lens. You have to clean the pivot points on the rangefinder assembly, from what I remember and then reassemble it back, making sure its all calibrated to infinity. There may be easier ways of doing this, but its how I sorted it.
seany65
Well-known
Thanks for the info SilverShutter. Unfortunately, I have NO talent of any description in fixing things, and even less in getting them back together properly, so unless I can find a repairer who's prepared to work on it and not charge an arm and a leg, I'll have to chuck it in the bin. Hmmm, am I right in thinking the 500ME was more plasticky model?
Jesse1dog, think nothing of it. I'd have still replied had I not myself had a problem with my 500GX.
Jesse1dog, think nothing of it. I'd have still replied had I not myself had a problem with my 500GX.
SilverShutter
Member
In fairness, its not a repair that would require extra parts, its a matter of cleaning what's there, so a technician should be able to do it without much hassle. I would not chuck it in to the bin, you could put it on ebay at least for close to free and it may help someone who needs to repair it themselves for extra parts. But it does become clear when you open the thing that it was built to a cost. I believe the 500ME has a more conventional top plate, which could be easier to service, but I do not know for a fact. They are really sweet compact rangefinders though.
seany65
Well-known
SilverShutter, Unfortunately, there has been a "falling out" with the staff in the shop that I would've taken the 500gx to, there is a shop/technician not too far from me but they haven't replied to a request for info that I made before Xmas about putting a rick oleson screen in my Yashica 635, the shop which did put the screen in it only did so because I'd bought the camera from them a short while earlier and a shop that does do repairs that I made contact with last year wanted to charge over £358 to check/fix the shutter of my altissa III and I'm not too sure they wouldn't try to charge an arm and a leg for doing the job and I don't want to get in to a drawn out sage with them again.
seany65
Well-known
I forgot to mention that my black 500gx also has the sticky viewfinder needle problem, and itwould be good to have the meter checked. All of which add to the cost of repair.