Tenax II top removal

[Ulrich Witte]

Hello,

I own a beautiful Tenax II since today that needs a bit of care. It's a really nice and small camera, all is working well, but the viewfinder is a bit hazy. Does anybody know how to remove the top cover so that I can clean the viewfinder glasses? I've removed the 4 screws on the left and right side, losen the accessorie shoe but I think the film counter dial must be renoved to lift off the top cover. Has anybody opened a Tenax II before? How do I screw off the film counter dial? Must I remove the rewind knob also? It would be very helpful if anybody has some hints.

Ulrich

 

[wes loder]

removing the Tenax II top plate

removing the Tenax II top plate

This is one old discussion and no one ever responded! But to answer the question: Remove the two screws at each end. Be careful. These screws also hold the strap eyelets. Remove the frame counter by unscrewing the ring that surrounds the shutter release. Might be able to do this with finger pressure alone. Do not remove the accessory shoe. It is only fastened to the top plate and will come off with the plate. Remove the rewind rings by unscrewing the center screw. That should be it. The front glass just sets in place, so be careful when you lift the top off. Lots of space to work inside a Tenax II, which makes cleaning easier. Hope this helps someone. WES

 

[KoNickon]

Well, hopefully Ulrich found his answer long since! But thanks for posting this -- and how did you happen upon the original note?

 

[wes loder]

location of original note

location of original note

Asked how I found the original question: I was browsing RFF for entries on the Tenax II and found this. Recently had to take a top off of one of my Tenax II cameras to unjam the self-timer, so had recent experience. WES

 

[Elmar Lang]

I also have a Tenax-II belonged to my late RF Contax-fan grandfather, from whom I've inherited my Contax-Leidenschaft.

I think I've used it only once with a BW film, back in the '90s: a fine camera, and lens (the Sonnar 40/2).

Reading this thread, I've taken it out of the cabinet and see that the self-timer lever doesn't move and the shutter, can't be set to the fastest speed (besides that, the lower speeds are very slow...).

I think I would like to have the camera back in service...

E.L.

 

[wes loder]

Tenax ii revitalizing

Tenax ii revitalizing

The Tenax II shutter is a Compur type 0 and should be fairly straight-forward to work on. The self-timer is connected to the shutter and the release by a spring and rod. Kind of crude IMHO. To work the self-timer you need to first cock the shutter, then cock the self-timer. The shutter release will start the timer. Is this the procedure you followed in trying to use it? I have one Tenax II that jammed when I tried to use its timer. So I don't, and it works fine otherwise.
To fully access the shutter, you will need to remove the top deck. The front plate comes off after you unscrew the front lens mount—which mounts into the shutter front where the front component of a lens would normally go. Service the shutter the way you would any other Compur shutter. I do not know how to work on it further, but the shutter might return to function with a bit of exercise.
The 1/400th of sec speed requires an extra push to set—as does the top speed on most Compur shutters. It is easier to set if you do it before you cock the shutter. Hopes this helps. WES