Yashica Mat EM TLR Shutter problem

[Nilbog]

Hello everyone,

I've recently bought a Yashica Mat EM TLR on ebay and after just a few minutes of playing with it I experienced the self timer shutter failure. I have since opened it up and magically fixed the self timer issue with the help of some YouTube videos. The shutter is fixed and works on all speeds when I cock it manually.

However after reassembling it I notice that the crank does not cock the shutter anymore. I suspect there's something wrong with one of the latches on the side.

I have made some video's of the problem. Is there someone that knows what might be wrong? I'm a total newbie at this.

The problem: https://imgur.com/gallery/PnYY5TX

Some additional info:
- I have not put in the screws yet or top plates, might this affect the cocking?
- I do not have film in the camera but there is a take-up spool in it.
- I bought this camera with the crank missing. Is there somewhere where I can buy a replacement crank?

Any help is greatly appreciated! 🙂

 

[Dan Daniel]

OK, new edit: looking at video #2- you see that little silver tab that moves to the bottom (top of frame) as you wind? And when it comes back to rest, it sits against another tab that goes down into the body? That silver moving tab should be BEHIND (to top of camera or bottom of frame) of the upright tab. It is what transfers the winding motion to the cocking lever.


If the lens board is not screwed in, the tab can move and disengage under pressure of winding.

 

[Nilbog]

Hey Dan, thanks for helping me out here!

So A has to be behind B. (A above B on the camera)
https://imgur.com/gallery/BTjshZa

Edit: in video 2 I positioned A above B (camera position) before winding, it doesn't seem to latch on however when I use the crank then.
I screwed in the 4 ‘big screws’ on the lens board. It doesn’t seem like screwing in all the other small ones + the top plate will improve stability and make it latch on to B or am I wrong?

Edit 2: in the back of the lens board all springs seem to be working fine and both tabs B & C seem to working (B cocks the shutter and C triggers it when pushed down)
https://imgur.com/gallery/sVPC4Uw

 

[Dan Daniel]

I am not certain which one sits where. It's been a while since I've been in a Yashicmat. To the right of the round cocking lever knob is the piece that actually pushes the cocking lever during winding. So push on that to see what is happening further around the ring?

Your "A" looks like it isn't going home. It should sit more to the top of the arc it travels. Should sit more in line with the end of that dark spring. Which makes me think that the part it needs to push is to its left side when it needs to be to its right side.

Play with the various parts and it will tell you what it needs...

"C" is most likely another ring that is activated by firing the shutter. This in turn releases the wind mechanism. Separate system all in all. If you press the shutter release you should C move but not A or B.

For tightening board down, put the lens at infinity (max retraction). Then go for centering as the lens pivots around the taking lens light trap. Shouldn't take much work.

 

[Nilbog]

Hmmm, either I somehow damaged it and I don't see where or I'm just a complete moron hehe.

Here i my latest attempt: I put the lens at infinity, mounted the lens board on top with the screws firmly holding it in place, but I can still just move the silver tab A past B with just the push of my finger. I don't see how I can push them closer together so they connect.
https://imgur.com/ql0PFYL

 

[Dan Daniel]

Bend the shutter block tab out so that the wind mechanism tab can catch it. That's all. Put a flat bladed screwdrived down behind it and lever it out a bit.
EDIT: dug out an old Yashicmat body where the shutter cokcing is fine. That tab on yours? looks as if the shutter tab should not be leaning to the right as yours does. On mine, it is vertical. Look at that tab and see if it looks as if it has been bent down and twisted, not simply not far away from the body for it to catch the wind mechanism tab.

When the self-timer destructed, did you do some hard winding on a frozen shutter? Maybe you bent things in this.

There are a few jitter scratches in the side of the shutter block tab, also, as if the tip of the winding mechanism tab was forced along its side.

 

[Nilbog]

Aha, that might be the case. the shutter tab doesn't really look bend in an unusual way though but if yours is vertical then I guess I'll just have this straighten it a bit! 🙂
Makes sense since the one below it (shutter trigger) is vertical too so it might have been damaged like you say.

Thank you so much for your time and knowledge Dan!