Seeking Advice for Agfa Super Solinette / Ansco Super Regent

[MichaelM7]

Dear all,

after being upset with the stiff Agfa green grease on my Super Solinette, I finally decided to disassemble, clean and lube my camera.
Using advice from several places on the web, I managed to dissamble the front lens elements and I have now access to the focusing helicoils (see first thumbnail, front). However, the focusing ring still does not turn very smooth. How do I remove it? Do I have to remove the four screws from the inside (second thumbnail, back)? I had them already removed, but neither the bellows snapped back (as I had suspected), nor the focusing ring would come off. Apparently, there are two bolts visible from the front side, which constitute the end stops for the focusing ring. However, they cannot be accessed from the front.
Any suggestions?

By the way. I have bothered to document EVERY step with fotos and I have made a walktrough procedure to be followed. I will post it, as soon as I have completed the work.

Greetings,

Michael

 

[FallisPhoto]

However, the focusing ring still does not turn very smooth. How do I remove it? Do I have to remove the four screws from the inside (second thumbnail, back)? I had them already removed, but neither the bellows snapped back (as I had suspected), nor the focusing ring would come off. Apparently, there are two bolts visible from the front side, which constitute the end stops for the focusing ring. However, they cannot be accessed from the front.
Any suggestions?

I like Agfas/Anscos a lot. I think they are very under-rated cameras. However, I have avoided the Solinettes and Super Solinettes; this is because I've heard that you need a special tool to get into them that nobody makes anymore -- and I can't find anyone on the internet who knows what it looks like.

 

[MichaelM7]

I like Agfas/Anscos a lot. I think they are very under-rated cameras. However, I have avoided the Solinettes and Super Solinettes; this is because I've heard that you need a special tool to get into them that nobody makes anymore -- and I can't find anyone on the internet who knows what it looks like.

Hi FallisPhoto,

well, up to now, I have not encountered any need for a speciality tool, which cannot be made easily by yourself. You will need some spanners which can be made from sheet metal. You will also need a mechanics' divider to remove the front lens element, but that is also nothing I would call "speciality tool". Yesterday, I disassembled the shutter, cleaned it, and put it back together. However, I still have not managed to remove that focus ring....

 

[FallisPhoto]

Hi FallisPhoto,

well, up to now, I have not encountered any need for a speciality tool, which cannot be made easily by yourself. You will need some spanners which can be made from sheet metal. You will also need a mechanics' divider to remove the front lens element, but that is also nothing I would call "speciality tool". Yesterday, I disassembled the shutter, cleaned it, and put it back together. However, I still have not managed to remove that focus ring....

All I can suggest is that you remove the shutter from the camera and soak it in a warm, sealed container of Liquid Wrench for about a week. That might loosen it up enough that you can get some lubricant into it. That, in turn, might loosen it up enough that you can get it off. Maybe I'll buy one and find out for sure.