Is this an easy repair? (Sinar back separation)

<p>Hi I have recently bought a used Sinar and upon closer inspection I have seen part of the rear standard frame is separating by a couple of mm. I'm unfamiliar with describing the individual parts so here is:</p>

<p>a comp from a video: the back is held so the gap is nonexistent vs released to show the gap<br>

<img src="http://i40.tinypic.com/xonwur.jpg" alt="" /></p>

<p>And here is a link to the video which is much better in describing the fault (74Mb from a fast server once the 30 second timer is done) <a href="http://www.megaupload.com/?d=MJ8V0H77">http://www.megaupload.com/?d=MJ8V0H77</a> The video starts with a view of the back as it should be before going to the defective area. </p>

<p>All in all this means the GGS is:<br>

not held square to the rear standard frame;<br>

is not 'fixed' in position;<br>

will no doubt will be exherting a twisting pressure (you have to squeeze quite hard to close the gap) on the remaining points of contact.</p>

<p>Further my aim is to do close-up work, in all likelihood closer than 1:1 where focus is absolutely critical.</p>

<p>I got the camera from a private individual who did not describe this fault. I am wondering what to do about it. Is this a repair that I could carry out myself with basic small screwdrivers etc? Or is this a 'known' problem which bodes for further separations? Is a self repair to be avoided...say for instance there are tensioned parts that would spring out leaving me at sea as to where they originated?</p>

<p> </p>

<p>Most likely the spring on the back which holds the GG assembly down is worn out. Most of the time it is simply just replacing the springs on the back.<br>

Not difficult depending on one's skill. If you are unsure Sinar dealers could point you to a competent repair service.</p>

<p>The back should separate into two parts, the rear standard and the ground glass frame. The gg frame is locked to the standard at one of the top corners of the standard by a latch. You remove the gg by lifting up on the hinged latch. With your camera it appears that the gg frame is not correctly positioned in the rear standard. Perhaps the latch is closed before the gg frame is in the slot that holds it securely. Is there an obstruction in the slot that prevents the gg frame from fitting into it. Have you gone as far as removing the gg frame from the rear standard? It all seems too rigid on my Sinar P to flex as much as it does in your pictures and on the video.</p>

<p>Peter</p>

<p>Hi and thanks for your replies.<br>

Just to be sure...this gap is not between the GG frame and the rear standard.<br>

Here I have taken the GG off. The 'frame' that is not fitting flush to the rear standard is uppermost on the rear standard in this shot</p>

<p><img src="http://i41.tinypic.com/5wvvqb.jpg" alt="" /></p>

<p>You can make the frame out better from the side...here it is on top of the rear standard. It is between these two that there is a gap.</p>

<p><img src="http://i42.tinypic.com/2vuwnk9.jpg" alt="" /><br>

The defect is between the rear standard and the 'frame' you see attached directly to it.</p>

<p>The sliding latches either side are to hold a film back on but do they have a second use as a release for this frame to be correctly re-seated? Would this incorrect seating have caused damage? <br>

I don't like to push/pull/turn anything I do not understand and so am having a stand off!</p>

 

<p>The frame I'm talking about is shown in the image you provided. And the latches to release the frame are shown in my magenta box. Lift up the latch and the frame should pop out. That's where I think the problem lies. </p>

<p>Peter</p>

<p>Brian,<br>

I have edited your photo and reattached.<br>

The Graflok sliders only retain graflok accessories to the back such as film holders, They serve no other purpose. If the graflok sliders are not fully retracted they will interfere with the ground glass seating properly.<br>

The back separates from the standard via the release screw. The back release screw will not come out of the back. It will unscrew than slide a little. Turn the screw counterclockwise and slide it back then lift the back frame from the standard (installation is the reverse). <br>

Remove the back frame from the standard and take it to a camera repair center that list Sinar as one of the brands they service and request an estimate. I may be able to help you further it they say it is not repairable or if it is very expensive.</p><div></div>

<p>Oops, the image didn't load as I expected it to.</p>

<p>Peter</p><div></div>

<p>These are the latches that release the frame.</p>

<p>Peter</p><div></div>

Thanks for your replies. Unfortunately this is not what I wanted to see. I have taken the frame from the standard as per Peters instructions and put in on a glass surface (flat) that showed one side is not properly straight. I also flipped the frame 180 and re-attached it to the same side. Rather than the gap following the frame it remained in the same position..this was an early indication the back itself was also problem. I released the back as Charles instructed and placed that on the glass surface. The corner where the gap resides is a good 3mm clear of the glass. So I have a slighty bent frame and a decidedly bent back.

 

 

 

I am on state benefit and I can't see me being able to afford to get this fixed by Sinar.

I got this camera to make a new start in life with the hope I could sell a print or two a week and support myself with the time I have left. What do you suggest Charles? In the mean time I have requested I return the camera to the seller.

<p>If that frame is bent it would not a s aimple repair. I would return the camera or negotiate a partial refund base on this major defect and buy a repalcement back off ebay. I have seen the back for sale by itself. </p>

<p>the back is inexpensive, KEH has one for less then $100.</p>

<p>All I can tell from the pictures and video is that there is a problem with the back. The back is a machined block of aluminum with the levers and latches added on as best I remember. The latches and brackets can be removed by removing their screws and paying close attention to how the parts are assembled. Only the spring tension ones may be a problem. If the back frame is bent there is a slim chance that it can be reformed. If the frame is cracked then it might be bonded back together. I would prefer to have it in my hands to evaluate before committing to any repair. This may be shipping damage, was the box damaged?<br>

Estimates of repair are normally free and describe the work needed.<br>

Options are:<br>

Return to the seller for a refund.<br>

Purchase another used back frame.<br>

Send it to me for evaluation (I'm in California).<br>

Attempt a repair yourself.</p>

<p>Charles I am based in the UK. fwiw the twisted frame feels solid so unlikely a crack.<br>

I actually picked the camera up in person and took great care in bringing it home, but I did not think to look to see if the standards were twisted as the descriptoion was good and I would not have thought they could get twisted to be honest.<br>

I have got a message back from the seller who will meet me and discuss this anyway...so fingers crossed. Mind you once you notice the twist its difficult to imagine how it was missed in the first place...so the seller may conclude it was never like this and blame me.<br>

Thanks for all the other suggestions everybody...a look on fleabay shows plenty of backs floating around.</p>

<p>Rounding off. I met the seller today and he has given me some money back. Now I am in the market to find a replacement back as I'm sure it would be nigh on impossible to twist the thing bacck into true...do I need to look for a particular 'model' or are all these parts interchangeable?</p>

<p>(ps hope noobody has emailed me because my registered email is quite old and I don't know how to get into it).</p>

<p>Ah in for a penny in for a pound.<br>

The movements are not as smooth as my MPP monorail but then I did do a complete strip clean and re-grease of that. I have a mind to do the same with this but its not your normal back..its one of those real chunky things. I think it looks like a P from what else I've seen but it was sold as an F. I dunno but is there any resource known out there to give any pointers for a complete clean (other than being found easily on Gogle).</p>

<p>Brian,<br>

The back/rear standard you pictured is a P. F rear standard and back do not seperate like the P. P and F standards fit on the same rail and the bellows will interchange.</p>

<p>Thanks Charles. So I need P parts as only they seperate in a manner that will fit the P (that was a good buy then!) standard?</p>

<p><a href="http://www.sinarbron.com/index.php">http://www.sinarbron.com/index.php</a> may be of help. Check the other Sinar sites listed in contact us. Search ebay for Sinar, most will list their equipment correctly.</p>

<p>Charles - thanks for all your help here.<br>

All the best to you and your loved ones.</p>

<p>Bri</p>