Yashica Electro 35 CC - Rangefinder / Viewfinder Cleaning

[Frontman]

Frontman:

Regarding:

"You'll need a lens spanner to remove the front name plate properly, the metal ring which holds it on is made of aluminum and is very fragile. Sometimes the ring is not tight, and can be turned off (counter-clockwise) with a small screwdriver. If not, don't attempt to force it off."

Well, mine does not seem to want to come off. Any suggestions on how to loosen it up?

Thanks,

Dave

First clean off the filter threads with a toothbrush, then apply a drop or two of thin oil to the threads. Be careful that the tips od the lens spanner are at the proper width. If the tips are pointed, the can dig into the filter ring threads, making it more difficult to remove the retaining ring. Apply even pressure to both points of the spanner so it doesn't pop out of the slots. If you bugger it up, I have extra retaining rings and other parts.

 

[Dave S.]

Thanks Brian and Frontman. I'll give your suggestions a try and report back.

 

[Dave S.]

I applied liquid wrench to the retaining ring and was able to successfully remove it a few hours later. The first three screws seemed tight so I proceeded on to the other three screws and tightened them up (although they seemed fairly tight too). After getting everything back together the barrel does seem a bit tighter. Nevertheless, the barrel still has a little play to it. Perhaps I have an unrealistic expectation that the barel should be rock solid? I recently picked up a "new in the box" copy of the Yashica Electro 35 CC and I'll compare the barrel on it with this one to see if it has a more snug fit.

 

[Dave S.]

Compared my "New In Box" Yashica Electro 35 CC to my other one with the loose barrel. The NIB copy has a barrel that is definetly tighter/snugger with very little play. Anything else I could tighten up to address this issue?

 

[Frontman]

Compared my "New In Box" Yashica Electro 35 CC to my other one with the loose barrel. The NIB copy has a barrel that is definetly tighter/snugger with very little play. Anything else I could tighten up to address this issue?

It could be the mounting screws for the lens/shutter assembly, or the lock ring which holds the lens barrel to the front plate. You can access the mounting screws by peeling back the leatherette on the front of the camera. Be careful not to damage the leatherette, it comes up easily if you heat it up with a hair dryer.

 

[45tim]

Hello guys, thanks to the advice in this thread i managed to effectively clean the viewfinder on my CC. It was in very bad dusty condition. After some cleaning, replacement of the light seals and cleaning the VF its a real beauty again. Thanks all!

Unfortunately i am missing a screw. It is the one just below the flash socket as to be seeen in this picture by Dave: http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=82077&d=1287561339

Anyone got an idea where to get a replacement for this?

Thanks

 

[Dave S.]

I'd check your local camera repair shop. They may be able to sell you a replacement screw. They may even have a box (or many boxes) of old cameras for repair you could rummage through for a replacement. 🙂

 

[Pherdinand]

heyyy Frontman and the others, are you still here?🙂
I just picked up a CC.
The rangefinder 2nd image doesnt move at all when i'm focusing. (The lens does move in and out.)
I'll try to take it apart (once i get the correct small phillips screwdriver) to fix it. Would you have any experience/idea what could be wrong with it? Maybe just a spring that should move the rf mirror or something?

thanx

 

[Pherdinand]

rangefinder is stuck in the infinity position, by the way.

 

[micromoogman]

Probably is the mechanism jammed. You'll see that if you take the top off.

 

[Pherdinand]

i fixed it. The little cam that follows the pushin-release motion of the stick at the back of the lens, visible with the top iff, that little cam was stuck inside. I think a wire got stuck between the cam and the housing. I freed it up and its okay now.

 

[Paolo Bonello]

I have use a round rubber bump stop from an old VW Beetle to remove the lens rings on old cameras when I didn't have a lens ring spanner. The friction of the rubber against the lens ring was enough with a push and turn motion. I used a few drops of oil on the thread first and let it soak overnight.

About the rangefinder mirror, I too took a chance and cleaned it very gently. It seems to be more durable than a Minolta 7s I had that someone had wiped a lot of the sliver off.