VT Question

[3js]

Hi, I hope you VT users could help me on this question. My father has a VT Deluxe,
which I think has something wrong in its advance lever. It does´t lock in its "ready" position, as I think it should, but I not that familiar with that model.
Now you can bend it in the wrong direction, and using of the lever is kinda difficult to me. So should it lock or not?

 

[jlw]

It should lock. When you unfold the trigger from the baseplate, it should click into position sticking almost straight down. There will be a slight amount of play allowing you to hinge it in the "wrong" direction (opposite the direction of advance) but it should hold firm when you move it in the advance direction. It should stay firm until you press the little nubbin at the base of the lever so it can fold back.

The little nubbin connects to a claw that latches into the platform that holds the trigger; this is what's supposed to keep it fixed in the down position. It's possible that this latching mechanism has worked loose or has been jammed by debris, keeping the trigger from latching properly. If you were to remove the outer baseplate that covers the trigger mechanism, you might be able to see what's wrong -- but I wouldn't suggest trying it unless you're very comfortable working on small, precise mechanisms. If you're not, it probably would make more sense to send it to Essex or another repair service experienced in classics.

For an insight into what's underneath the bottom cover, you can check the pages I put up in honor of my recently-sold Drug, a Soviet camera that used a trigger wind system very similar to Canon's. My Drug had a floppy trigger, with symptoms that sound similar to what you're describing -- there was a lot of free movement in it, and it made it harder to work the trigger. In the case of the Drug, the problem was with the latching mechanism described above. To see the pictures of the Drug, click here.

 

[3js]

Ok, thanks for your answer, things were just as bad as I thought... Is there something that I should be aware of, when I remove the bottom plate? Springs jumpin up and down, or moving that particular screw means taking the hole camera apart to make it work again?

 

[jlw]

No, I can't think of any "gotchas" in removing the plate, other than the fact that Canons of this era are so beautifully finished that you want to be REALLY careful not to scratch anything!... also, the cover tends to be very finely fitted, so it may be a bit difficult to pull off. Don't force it -- if it doesn't seem to want to move, check again to see if there might have been a screw or something you forgot to remove.

This is a somewhat valuable and sought-after camera, so you might want to get at least an estimate on a professional repair before you plunge into it. Either way, good luck!

 

[wlewisiii]

I have to agree, with something like this, I'd at least consider a professional repair. I've had excellent service on my IVSb by DAG. http://www.dagcamera.com/ or dagcam@chorus.net

William