Dez
Bodger Extraordinaire
Some while ago, I mentioned that I had been able to sort out a sticking second curtain on my S2. A list member asked what the repair method was: I am reproducing it here in case it may be of use to others.
It was fairly straightforward, but unfortunately, I neglected to take pictures. The specific problem here is that the shutter starts to operate when the button is pushed, but the second curtain does not move until the button is released. In my case, the problem happened at all speeds, but was more likely at slow speeds below 1/30. The same problem is common with screwmount Leicas.
First take the top off, then replace the wind lever to make it easier to wind and fire the shutter.
Set the speed to the 1/30 position, and clean off the exposed shutter mechanism, removing any old dried-up lubricants. I use a very mild solvent for this, a rinsing solution used for cleaning watch movements, applied with a toothbrush or stiffish model paintbrush. Any sort of mild solvent that will not hurt the paint will probably do here, mineral spirits for example. After you dry things off, there is a good chance the problem will disappear, but don't believe it. Probably if you put the top back on, an hour later when the little bit of solvent still in place dries out, the problem may return.
Apply a tiny bit of medium oil below the rotating part where it fits into a bushing. At this point, you are in the best position if the problem is still happening, possibly intermittently.
When you push and hold the shutter button, you will see the mechanism rotating clockwise and a small cam will just touch a round protrusion on a lever just to the rear of the rotating mechanism. This lever is intended to release the second curtain; push it ever so slightly to the rear and the second curtain will fire. The problem occurs when the first curtain release does not quite hit the round protrusion to allow the second curtain to release.
With the shutter cocked, undo a screw holding down a wire spring that holds the curtain release lever; be careful- it probably won't sproing across the room, but it is really easy to lose. The lever can then be lifted straight up and out: it has a long shaft on it that goes all the way to the base of the camera. Clean this lever off thoroughly, put a tiny bit of oil around the inside of the hole it fits in, and replace the lever and spring. This may clear the problem if you are very lucky, but I was not so fortunate.
There are two screwheads, one of which is actually an eccentric on the top surface of the lever. The other is a lock: I forget which is which, but it is obvious by inspecting the lever. The position of the eccentric controls the spacing between the lever and the protruding bit of the rotating mechanism. You need to adjust it so the rotating mechanism reliably fires the second curtain. Do not overdo the amount of engagement here, as doing so will probably reduce the slit width significantly at high shutter speeds.
Whe all this is done, wait until you are sure the solvents are thoroughly dry before putting to top back on. It's also a good idea to try putting the camera in the fridge for ten minutes or so to make sure it works properly over temperature. While the top is off, take the opportunity to clean everything in sight. So then put everything back together, and hopefully your problems will be over.
Good luck,
Dez
It was fairly straightforward, but unfortunately, I neglected to take pictures. The specific problem here is that the shutter starts to operate when the button is pushed, but the second curtain does not move until the button is released. In my case, the problem happened at all speeds, but was more likely at slow speeds below 1/30. The same problem is common with screwmount Leicas.
First take the top off, then replace the wind lever to make it easier to wind and fire the shutter.
Set the speed to the 1/30 position, and clean off the exposed shutter mechanism, removing any old dried-up lubricants. I use a very mild solvent for this, a rinsing solution used for cleaning watch movements, applied with a toothbrush or stiffish model paintbrush. Any sort of mild solvent that will not hurt the paint will probably do here, mineral spirits for example. After you dry things off, there is a good chance the problem will disappear, but don't believe it. Probably if you put the top back on, an hour later when the little bit of solvent still in place dries out, the problem may return.
Apply a tiny bit of medium oil below the rotating part where it fits into a bushing. At this point, you are in the best position if the problem is still happening, possibly intermittently.
When you push and hold the shutter button, you will see the mechanism rotating clockwise and a small cam will just touch a round protrusion on a lever just to the rear of the rotating mechanism. This lever is intended to release the second curtain; push it ever so slightly to the rear and the second curtain will fire. The problem occurs when the first curtain release does not quite hit the round protrusion to allow the second curtain to release.
With the shutter cocked, undo a screw holding down a wire spring that holds the curtain release lever; be careful- it probably won't sproing across the room, but it is really easy to lose. The lever can then be lifted straight up and out: it has a long shaft on it that goes all the way to the base of the camera. Clean this lever off thoroughly, put a tiny bit of oil around the inside of the hole it fits in, and replace the lever and spring. This may clear the problem if you are very lucky, but I was not so fortunate.
There are two screwheads, one of which is actually an eccentric on the top surface of the lever. The other is a lock: I forget which is which, but it is obvious by inspecting the lever. The position of the eccentric controls the spacing between the lever and the protruding bit of the rotating mechanism. You need to adjust it so the rotating mechanism reliably fires the second curtain. Do not overdo the amount of engagement here, as doing so will probably reduce the slit width significantly at high shutter speeds.
Whe all this is done, wait until you are sure the solvents are thoroughly dry before putting to top back on. It's also a good idea to try putting the camera in the fridge for ten minutes or so to make sure it works properly over temperature. While the top is off, take the opportunity to clean everything in sight. So then put everything back together, and hopefully your problems will be over.
Good luck,
Dez
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