Is this normal on a Plaubel Makina 670 Camera?

[ken_wayne1]

<p>I'm not overly familiar with these cameras and I just got one. It's doing something and I'm not sure if it normal.<br /><br />The focusing knob which moves the lens and bellows is on the top right of the camera. When I turn the focusing knob counter clockwise the film advance lever always comes out about a half inch as I'm turning the focusing knob. Is this normal or should the film advance lever always stay tucked nicely flush against the body when one is focusing?<br /><br />It's not loose feeling and it does not seem to be damaged. It only comes out a little bit...maybe a half of an inch and then it will just sit there in a semi-open position. <br /><br />Can another 670 user clarify if yours does the same thing?<br /><br />Thanks a bunch in advance,<br />Ken</p>

<p><img src="http://www.bidnashville.com/camera.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="1316" /></p>

[aplumpton]

<p>I think it is normal. It has been 15 years since I had my 670 and cannot remember exactly, but I think there is a free movement in the advance lever. Should be no problem at all. There was one problem on my film advance with my 670 and that was a rarely occurring uneven spacing between the frames, in some cases with frame overlapping occurring. This is just something to look out for and was no doubt my fault for not winding on far enough. It occurred only occasionally. It's a fine camera (nice 80mm lens), but you want to be careful not to knock or otherwise damage the bellows and to be gentle with the bellows retraction and opening actions and by placing the focus at infinity before doing either.</p>

 

[ken_wayne1]

<p>Thanks for the reply Arthur. I really appreciate it.<br /><br />I'm hopeful someone who currently has one of these cameras can clarify if the advance lever on their camera is doing the same as mine.<br /><br />Anybody?</p>

[tom_chow]

<p>I don't have a 670, I have the 67 and 67W.</p>

<p>However, neither of these exhibits the behaviour you describe, the wind lever does not move when you rotate the focusing knob in either direction. There is a detent when the lever is flush with the body, which holds it there. When it is out, it is loose, but does not move with the focus.</p>

[aplumpton]

<blockquote>

<p>When it is out, <strong>it is loose</strong>, but does not move with the focus.</p>

</blockquote>

<p>Tom, is this not what Ken is saying? His advance lever is loose and moves out (I remember mine being loose as well), but <strong>if</strong> it doesn't move further with subsequent focussing there may be no problem of practical importance.</p>

<p>Ken, have you shot a roll and observed the frame spacing? If not, I suggest you might do that as it would allow you to see if the loose lever movement has any real effect on the operation of the camera.</p>

[ondebanks]

<blockquote>

<p>When it is out, <strong>it is loose</strong>,</p>

</blockquote>

 

<blockquote>

<p>is this not what Ken is saying?</p>

</blockquote>

<p>Not to my reading. Ken says that it is loose all the time -"the film advance lever <strong>always</strong> comes out about a half inch". Whereas Tom says that a detent will hold it flush, and only when you deliberately move it "out" from the detent will it move loosely.</p>

<p>It sounds like Ken's Makina does have a small issue, which is a shame. But repairing a detent should not be a big deal. If the "nub" has worn down, then a drop of solder might be all that's needed to build it back up.</p>

[ken_wayne1]

<p>Hello again guys,</p>

<p>Sorry if I confused anyone. I really appreciate each person's response.<br>

<br />Perhaps this quick video I just made can explain it better. Copy and paste this into your browser:<br />

/><br />Or click this <a href="

for immediate access to the video.</p>

<p>thanks!<br />Ken</p>

[jerry_lehrer1]

<p>Ken,</p>

<p>I seems that there may be friction between the bottom surface of the focusing knob and the top surface of the winding lever. It drags the wind lever out when turned counterclockwise. The aforementioned detent is not sufficient to hold the wind lever.</p>

<p>Jerry</p>

[tom_chow]

<p>Hi Ken,</p>

<p>I saw your video.</p>

<p>The advance lever on my 67 and 67W does not move when the focus dial is turned. When the advanced lever is flush with the body, there is a detent that holds it there, it's a light detent, enough to keep it there with a little bumping around. When the advance lever is out, there is some loose play between the out position, and when it starts to engage the wind mechanism. Loose enough that if you shake the camera, it will move back and forth. However, it still does not move when the focus dial is turned.</p>

<p>Keep in mind that I have the 67 amd 67W, both of which are one generation older than your 670. Mine do not have the 120/220 switch on the frame counter. I believe the wind mechanism was one of the areas they improved (unless I'm thinking of another camera...). It looks like there is some friction between the focus and wind lever (not a surprising thing) and the detent or friction that holds the lever flush is worn down, or less than the friction between the wind lever and the focus dial.</p>

<p>It could be that there is a shim washer missing below the focus dial, such that it is now pressing against the advance lever. Or it could be that the grease in there has become so thick that it viscous couples the two. Either way, it "should" be an easy fix. Or you could just live with it if the focus seems to work fine.</p>

<p>Cheers,<br>

Tom</p>

[ken_wayne1]

<p>Thanks Tom and Jerry < I just had to :) >,</p>

<p>I wonder if anyone thinks it might fix the problem if I put a very tiny drop of sewing machine oil between the focusing knob and lever with a syringe and needle?</p>

[aplumpton]

<blockquote>

<p>Or you could just live with it if the focus seems to work fine</p>

</blockquote>

<p>Excuse my probable poor English (my everyday tongue these days is that of Voltaire), but that was what I was trying to say. Before adding any oil, Ken, which may not be a good solution (effect of oil there internally?), why not simply shoot a roll and check the operation and framing?</p>

<p>Another take: As we sometimes first focus on something and then wind on to prepare a shot, maybe the movement of your rapid wind lever to a more ready position for advancement is actually a good thing.</p>

<p>Patent attorney - take note.... (Sorry, just a joke)</p>

[tom_chow]

<p>I would not drip oil in there, no matter how carefully you do it. I use to do that, but I've cured myself of that. If a washer is missing, oil will not help. If there is hardened grease, it needs removing, adding oil just adds to the grease build up with time. <br>

</p>

 

<blockquote>

<p>Or you could just live with it if the focus seems to work fine</p>

</blockquote>

<blockquote>

<p>Excuse my probable poor English (my everyday tongue these days is that of Voltaire), but that was what I was trying to say.</p>

</blockquote>

<p>Yes, it was a good idea, so I thought I would repeat it. </p>

<p> </p>

[joel_bolonick1]

<p>Just a note on repair facilities for the 670: I would avoid the Plaubel facility in Germany. I sent my 670 recently for repair and they were not only expensive, but they did a fairly poor job on the camera. Although Nippon Photo Clinic in NY has done good work on the camera in the past, I would not use them unless money is no option, as they have become very expensive.<br>

Although I love this camera, I would now opt for a used Mamiya 7 if faced with significant repairs.</p>