Self timer

[Roverman]

Looking at a Kiev II with a non functioning self timer.
Can these be fixed Easley? I'm not afraid to open it up and have a go myself, or how about getting a broken 4 and gutting that for spares?
Your advice gratefully welcomed

 

[Dez]

They often get jammed up with old lubricant. It is NOT simple to get at this part, and unless you have a fair bit of camera repair experience and lots of confidence, I would not recommend you attempt the repair, but here's what you need to do.

First, remove the top plate, and the back plate of the shutter crate. Remove the self-timer lever, the leather from the left-side front panel, and the cover plate over the self-timer mechanism.
Next you need to remove the top casting, which I seem to recall is held on by five or six screws. Then CAREFULLY remove the shutter assembly held in place by two screws on top and one at the bottom. Only then can you get at the self-timer mechanism which is held by two screws, top and bottom. Running it through an ultrasonic cleaner is usually the best, but just soaking in solvent and carefully working the wind up and down will usually suffice. A bit of light oil on the shaft ends is a good idea at this point.

Assembly is the reverse of the above of course, and the only thing that is likely to be tricky is getting the shutter assembly back it. This part likes to hang up on the circular baffle around the focusing helical. Remember where all the tiny little shims came from, and DON'T FORCE ANYTHING!

Best of luck,
Dez

 

[Roverman]

Thanks Dez, ive not had a kiev apart but have manage a syncro compur shutter clean and relube, also managed some how fix a dropped digi compact that landed on its lens (no broken plastic thankfully). Does anyone here have an ultra sonic cleaner? What solution do you put in it?

 

[Dez]

I do a bit of work on watches, so I have specific cleaning and rinsing solutions for my ultrasonic cleaner. I would recommend putting the mechanism into a shot glass of a strong solvent such as lacquer thinner, and then, if you have an ultrasonic cleaner put the glass in the cleaner with about one inch of water in the bottom to transmit the vibration. The solvent alone is likely enough to do the trick, if you exercise the gear train while it is in the solvent. This is also the setup for the far easier job of restoring the slow speed escapement of old screwmount Leicas.

Cheers,
Dez