Yashica Minister D aperture not closing‏

[chris_zeel]

I just acquired a Yashica Minister D, the camera is quite good shape in general, though it has an issue with the aperture.

It appears that the aperture does not close.
When I set the exposure to 1 second and f16, I don't see a closed down aperture through the lens.
This is the case for all aperture settings.

Also, I don't seem to be able to really get the 2.8 mark in line with the red line. The maximum position is next when it just not touches the "8" of "2.8".
Is this normal?


Is the not-closing aperture a know issue?

Any idea if it can be (easily) fixed?

 

[colyn]

Send it back for a refund....

 

[chris_zeel]

I thought about it, but I won it in an auction for 5 euros, and the shipping was 8 euros, which is not likely that I will get refunded..

 

[ForestCap]

Just my guess: The aperture ring to aperture blades linkage is out of order. Nothing is broken just some pins are not in the holes as they should be. You may want to dismember the lens and have a look.
I had a Yashica Electro 35 GX had the same problem, and easily fixed. But it's a different camera, so don't refer me on this.

Good luck, anyway there won't be no catastrophe with a 5 euro camera.

 

[chris_zeel]

Good to hear from a similar experience.

Any idea or references about how to dismember the lens?

Does this mean that the whole lens has to be taken from the camera?

Or would I be able to access the aperture by unscrewing the lens from the front?

 

[ForestCap]

This was taken when fixing my GX.

This is the aperture ring. The pin in the red circle is supposed to be in a hole which links to the blades open/close mechanism, but it was not. The seller CLAed the camera and miss installed it. A small mistake but made the camera wide open all the time.

I haven't handled Minister D so I can't tell you how to dismember the lens. It would be good to be able to access the aperture by unscrewing the lens from the front. Maybe other members can help you with this.

 

[chris_zeel]

I unscrewed the front lens group and this gives me access to the shutter.

By setting the exposure setting to f/16 and B and holding the shutter button I see the aperture blades, which are closed to about f/4, but I am quite limited to what I can do from there.

Is there a way to dismember the whole lens assembly?

Are there screws under the leatherette?

 

[Frontman]

There is a pin or tab from the aperture ring which engages the aperture lever. It is possible that the pin or tab has come loose, or that the aperture blades have become fouled with oil, and are stuck enough that the pin came out. If it is just the pin or tab which has come out, you can remove the front lens element and lock ring, and then lift out the shutter speed and aperture rings. On the Minister D, the rings may be coupled to an EV ring. The back of the aperture ring should have the tab or pin, and if you look inside the edge of the shutter assembly, you should be able to locate the lever, or slot where the tab or pin fit. You can fit the aperture ring, and then turn it, and see it it opens and closes the aperture blades. If so, then put the rest back together. Post some photos if you can, and we can give you some pointers.

 

[colyn]

As stated in the post above you might have oil on the blades. Remove front are rear lens elements and carefully drip lighter fluid on the blades then move the pin a few times to see if that frees up the aperture blades. You may have to do it more than once..