Zeiss Maximar: Stuck Closed. Suggestions?

I bought a 6.5x9cm Zeiss Maximar folding plate camera a few weeks ago.

Won a rollback soon after. Received the rollback, cleaned it up,

loaded it with some FP4.

 

And in a moment of great, great tragedy, discovered that the Maximar

is stuck in the closed position. The bed will not open in the slightest.

 

The release button on the top of the camera depresses, but the bed

doesn't snap open as it did before.

 

I don't remember doing anything unusual before last closing the

camera, such as leaving the lens at maximum rise or fall, etc.

 

Gentle shaking hasn't helped. I've tried holding the camera upside

down, on its side, etc. Nada.

 

I'd greatly appreciate any advice on how to get the thing open. Since

folding plate cameras seem to be all the rage around here lately, I'm

sure someone's an expert. ;-)

Hello David,

hope I can help.The problem is rare for this male function.

In regular or normaly use are the technical steps:

The knop on botten have in to a spring and with pressure take two hooks one the side way and camera can open it.

out of order function:

1.)

the spring in the knob is broken.

2.)

The hook release damaged.

3.)

The screw, one the base for bellow and lens, the hooks released lock, are damaged.

 

First goin on:

Press the knop and look to go again self in position before pressed ?

That's spring in the kob are ok.

Next step:

Press the knob and take a fine screw driver between botten and open it base for bellow and lens.Go with the screw driver from left to right and I'm hope you can move the hook release for camera open.

Is very importend can move the hook release point with the screw driver, and in other case is very difficult open the camera or damaged.

Good luck

peter

I'm not sure I understand Peter -- though I'm sure his English is better than my Russian, let me take a stab at this (I don't have a Maximar, but I have two 9x12 Ideals and a 9x12 Kawee Camera).

 

If the bed doesn't even "click" a little when you operate the release, first try pressing the bed in (as if closing it) while you operate the release again -- it's possible the bed or something inside is jamming the release. If that does the job, look for something at the edge of the bed that might be interfering with the release (my Ideals have a two-position latch, one on each side of the focus rail, released by a single button).

 

Failing that, the next thing to try is slipping a thin knife blade (table knife -- don't want to cut the bellows or similar disasters) or miniature screwdriver between the opening end of the bed and the body like a jimmy, the intent being to push the latch in the direction it would move when the button is depressed -- my Ideals have the release on the camera right side, and it pushes the latch toward camera left (as viewed from behind) to disengage, but the Maximar may differ; the Kawee has a single central catch that pushes straight down to release. If that doesn't change anything, you might also pry (very gently) outward with the blade while pressing the catch, in case something is just caught; if the bed opens slightly and sticks, you might at least be able to use a strong light to see inside and look for something that's caught.

 

FWIW, the wire frame sports finder is a prime culprit for this kind of snag; forcing the bed will almost certainly bend the frame, but there's also a chance of damage to other components more critical to operation; I'd have to recommend getting someone with a Maximar to look it over if what I've outlined above doesn't clear it for you.

 

Once you do get it open, obviously you'll want to look it over to find what was caught or jammed and make sure it doesn't repeat...

The catch on my 9x12 Maximar is a simple button which pushes down a hook which catches a small opeining in the focusing rail. There is almost no way this could fail, so pushing it down probably does unlock the front door, but the springs which are supposed to push the door open aren't working. Try 1) pushing down the release button with the camera held so that gravity can open the door. 2)If that doesn't work, shake the hell out of it (in that position) with the button pressed. 3) If that doesn't work, try forcing the bed open (with the button pressed) by pulling out on the front door with the focusing knob, and 4)finally, if all else fails, press the button hard and pry the door open with a knife blade. Good luck!

Hello Donald,

ok, my english are very lausy and better is my russian and best is my original german.Sorry I will only help with my own ZEISS IKON MAXIMAR for this problem.Your idea with the knife are a littel bit beter like a thin screw driver.I think with the other tread the answere is only unlocked the hook on the lever for open the front.

Many greetings from Germany

peter