chris_garner

<p>Only ever seen a ball and spring, which are held in place by the sliding on of the aperture ring. Are you sure there was a ball in the first place? or had a previous 'repairer' put a split pin in the spring, using the rounded head of it as a substitute for the ball?</p>

<p>I have used the ball out of a ball point pen in the past. Use a standard one, not a fine point, and pinch near the end with a small pair of wire cutters [ in a plastic bag is a good idea !] and the ball will pop out.<br> As for re-assembling, make sure the spring is level with the top of the hole, and does not stick out. Then use a dab of silicon grease, or vaseline on top of the spring to hold the ball in place as you assemble the lens.<br> Stretching the spring is your problem. The best way to get a more positive aperture ring is to clean the old grease and dirt from the detent ball, spring and notches. <br> Don't believe what you hear, detent balls only turn up weeks or months later!</p>

<p>Hi Kenri, you cannot get to the aperture rings from the front, only remove the front element by unscrewing the tiny slotted retaining ring, and then with a gentle tap or a suction pad you can remove the second element. To open up the lens to access the aperture rings, hold the focus ring in one hand, and then unscrew the lens anticlockwise by holding the the aperture stop down ring in the other hand. You will find that the barrel separates in half between the stop down ring and the aperture numbers. From there on it should appear obvious if you have done lens repairs before. Good luck. Chris.</p>

<p>I wrongly assumed it had a horizontal cloth shutter when you mentioned the 'vertical edge', but as is a metal vertical shutter, I must agree with John and Rick. The take up spool side being the most obvious. I remember years ago that some cameras would be fine if left in their leather ERC [ever ready case], but if removed from them, would have a mysterious light leak.</p>

<p>Hi Christos,<br> Looks like a sticking shutter curtain to me. As you say, the position and vertical edge as well as the fact some pictures come out ok, means it cannot be a door leak. The leaking over the sprocket area could be the film is not pushed firmly against the film guides, so check the pressure plate on the door, it may need the springs bending a little to give more tension. Also check that the door closes squarely and easily, as too thicker light seal can upset the correct seating of the door.<br> Check the curtain movement several times at each speed to see if the gap between them is inconsistent, or if the second curtain hangs back sometimes. If it is the second curtain sticking, you need a service as the lubrication in its roller will have dried and hardened. You could take off the bottom plate and put a couple of drops of lighter fuel around the roller tension adjustment screw, which may help the roller move more freely. You could also check the condition of the tapes sitting in the curtain guides, as they could be frayed, or bits of film debris could be stuck in the lower slot.</p>

<p>Hi,<br> When you say ' the focusing is off a bit', do you mean that when in focus in the viewfinder, the negatives are not in focus, or that the focus distance markings on the lens do not match the distance focused? <br> If it is the first, there are other possible reasons other than mirror adjustments [which the MTL3 does not have, if I remember correctly] . Firstly check the screw heads for any damage which will mean someone could have had the top plate and prism off, possibly to clean dirt from the focusing screen or mirror. Take the lens off and check the focus screen is seated correctly. Check in the viewfinder to see if the pentaprism mirror appears to be slightly out of position. And finally check the lens to see if elements have been unscrewed for cleaning. And try another lens if you have one.<br> Mirrors seldom need adjusting, unless a replacement mirror is fitted, so if the problem persists even using another lens, it is most likely the mirror or focus screen not seated correctly.</p>