Zeiss Contessa - remove bottom plate?

[jlw]

Can anyone tell me how to remove the bottom plate from a folding Zeiss-Ikon Contessa?

It looks as if it would be pretty simple: remove the four screws, the rewind knob, and the advance knob. I've accomplished all but the last, and the baseplate moves freely except for where it's restrained by the advance knob.

It's removing this with which I'm having trouble.

I figured out that it's on a left-hand thread, and have loosened it -- but I can't get it to back out all the way. I can't tell whether it's hanging up on the rewind button (which is in the center of the knob) or something else.

There's nothing wrong with the camera except a slight dent in the baseplate, which I figure I could gently tap out if I could get the baseplate OFF.

Any info, anyone? Thanks..;

 

[AGN]

jlw,

Were you ever able to accomplish this. I have the same problem.

Thank you

 

[jlw]

Haven't yet. I got some Zeiss-Ikon documentation from a helpful RFF member, showing that the procedure for removing the button is to unscrew it. For doing this they quoted the number of a special Z-I tool, having looked up which in the tool section turned out to be... a pair of pliers.

I haven't yet quite had the nerve to haggle onto mine with a pair of pliers and try to unscrew it without marring anything. But I guess that's how it's supposed to come off.

 

[AGN]

Hmm, that's interesting. Thank you for the information. I have a parts camera I may try it on. I'll get back to you if I do.

 

[ZeissFan]

This is the folding Contessa, right? First, you need to remove that little plug in the film advance. Grasp it with a pair of needle nose pliers to remove. Be careful not to damage the plug/plunger.

Then remove the film advance. It uses a reverse thread. So turn clockwise to remove.

Remove the screw that holds the rewind knob. Then remove the four screws, and the bottom plate comes off.

 

[AGN]

Yes, a folding Contessa. The little plug in the film advance, is it threaded on? Right or left hand thread. Looking at it, it would not seem you could grip it with needle nose pliers. There is very little that sticks out.

 

[ZeissFan]

Correct -- the little plug is threaded normally. The film advance is a reverse thread.

You can grip it with needle-nose pliers. A smaller pair works best, of course. Just don't grip so hard that it gouges the metal.

The plug isn't threaded very tightly -- just tight enough to keep it in place.