Super Ikonta A 531 question

[Spotmatic]

Just got this little beauty:

Nice one, eh? It seems to be the Compur Rapid X version, that's nice. But I want to clean the lens behind the front element (and possibly also the focusing thread). I have no idea how to reach the front element... It appears that there are three holes around the serrated front lens, with small set screws underneath. Do I need to remove them to reach the front lens? Yes, of course I will mark infinity and all, but I'd like to ask here just in case.

 

[sevo]

If it is not absolutely necessary, leave it alone - the wedge rangefinder on the Super Ikontas is hard to kill, but even harder to put together again or to adjust. Essentially you need a vertical collimator bench if you want to assemble it under permanent control - camera hacking with a piece of ground glass means that you'll have to put it apart and reassemble it (a procedure of about an hour each time) until you hit upon the right sprocket...

 

[Spotmatic]

Of course, I'd like to leave the rangefinder alone and only want to remove the front element. When possible of course! If it's not possible then I will indeed leave it alone.

 

[Ken Smith]

This will get you started. http://www.davidrichert.com/zeiss_532_161.htm

 

[Spotmatic]

That's a very good start, thank you very much Ken!

 

[hanskerensky]

Another webpage to watch is that from the KMZ Moskwa-5 on the Kiev Survival Site. This camera has many things in common with your Super Ikonta :

http://www3.telus.net/public/rpnchbck/Moskva5.html