jake_lighthouse

So forth...<div></div>

So on...<div></div>

Continued...<div></div>

Yes there is foam that deteriorates around the prism. It isn't necessary to replace this foam. But that stuff makes one heck of a mess of the prism. The task of getting to the prism isn't that hard, the tricky part is getting all that foam out of there which I used a small flat head, a q-tip, small paint brush, toothpick, and acetone. You'll want to do your best to remove it without getting it on the focusing screen and try not to get anymore on the prism itself. But acetone will take it off the prism... The focusing screen can be trickier as it is very sensitive. Once you clean all that foam out put the prism back BEING CAREFUL NOT TO OVER TIGHTEN THE SCREWS! that will chip your prism. Also use a soft paint brush to wipe the dust from the focusing screen and make sure you wipe all finger prints from the prism. If you don't do all of this thoroughly you will just hate yourself later lol Pictures to follow.<div></div>

I've been working on a Pentax K1000 for a while, the internals are all standard but I've added the improved pieces that were used as the manufacturing continued. Anyway I all of a sudden had issues with the film advance lever jamming and the mirror not coming down etc... After I'd already corrected all the issues this camera had internally. So it was frustrating to say the least. But I eventually came to the conclusion that the arm that shows you advanced the film was the culprit. I take it all apart and find it is bent and chewed up, and so forth. Interesting that this little piece that's just a convenience was the cause of all these problems!<div></div>

It's not the lens I'm sure of that, it's either the viewfinder or focusing screen which I'd only describe the yellowing as looking like glass in a heavy smokers house. However they are not smokers and never have been. His dad bought it in the 80's so it's got sentimental value. He's been using it for years like that with no problems but when I look through it I'm amazed he can even get his pictures in focus. I imagine that it wouldn't be too difficult to fix but as I don't have the camera in hand I can't really get a look at it

My cousin is into photography as well and has a Minolta maxxum HT si I noticed it's very yellow through the viewfinder. This camera was bought new by his dad in the 80's. Is this the focusing screen being stained? And can it be fixed?

I'm fairly confident I can fix it myself I would just like to know if there is any idea of what the problem is, it definitely makes things easier. I've repaired other cameras but not an x-700 as of yet. The others I have repaired are all mechanical so this is sort of the next level

I have 2 x-700 cameras which I bought separately. The first one was unused and works beautifully with nothing needed. The 2nd which i bought for the lenses that came with it, is having some issues which I'd like to see about fixing. I replaced the light seals and mirror cushion (that is a pain in the butt let me tell you) but going back to when I first got it I put a battery in it and it wouldn't turn on. I took the battery back out placed it back in changing nothing and it turned on just fine. Had the same problem today but think it is an isue with the battery cover as I switch it with one frim my x-370 and it works fine. Next question is to do with the on off switch, it's not as "crisp" as my first one and when you set it to the setting which beeps it doesn't beep unless you point the camera at a downward angle. Would this be caused by a wire which came off? Or what would cause this? I'd like to find out before I start taking things apart.

Continued... you can see a bit of the foam on the screen which is the culprit.<div></div>

Continued...<div></div>

It would seem the parts camera I purchased has the same problem, as I mentioned before easy fix. Here's some image showing through the viewfinder, the foam on the prism and the focusing screen. DON'T SCRATCH THAT SCREEN<div></div>

A single. I suppose that could be the problem but just assumed it was the camera when one flash that worked even if it had issues stopped working when no settings changed. The camera is currently disassembled and being completely overhauled I have not spotted any issues internally so it may very well be due to the flashes.

Gemini 4700, Vivitar auto thyristor 225, auto flash DX- 700, and I'm not sure what my dad's is

The hot shoe is not firing the flash at all now...

I posted a few days ago that I have a pentax K1000 which I bought with some issues. I've cleaned the lens internals to allow it to function properly, I cleaned out the cameras mechanism and straightened out the base plate. I cleaned out the prism replaced the seals ect. But I was messing with a flash on it the day I got it before I did anything and noticed the flash with fire when I advance the film. I changed flashes and it stopped. So I tried the flash on an other camera and it functioned fine. Now that I have fixed this camera I put a 3rd flash which uses a cable. And once you hit the shutter release it fires but it will keep firing as it charges even if you aren't touching the camera. Clearly something isn't right with this. Any ideas?

Here's that video... forgot to add it

Bebu Lemar, I have done what you are wanting on your camera to my own and yes there is foam around the prism. It also turned to a goey crumbly mess and getting it on the prism is a pain in the butt... I found this video but mine is just slightly different than this one, but it can be easily understood from this video. The foam as mentioned in the video can be removed in need be and doesn't need to be replaced, just watch out for the springs which are tricky and you should be fine.

Light seals have now been replaced. Just need to have the leatherette replaced and maybe have the body painted and it's pretty much a brand new camera

I'm not sure I would risk messing with someone else's camera as clearly I'm still new to messing with them and wouldn't want to damage anyone else's cameras. I imagine that wouldn't be that hard. The hard part would be unscrewing all the small screws in the dials which require a small screwdriver or I've even used a razor blade when I took apart my Yashica J3 which had the same screws. I personally set mine to Bulb when I take off the shutter speed dial and make sure you hold onto it so it doesn't shoot off... then you unscrew the rewind knob making sure the shaft wont fall through and then the film advance lever and I'm guessing the outside of the shutter release unscrews or it might not. I'm not sure as I haven't taken the top off mine. But then once you get that off there will be something holding the prism on and you lift and flip it over gently and with a very soft brush wipe off whatever is in there and then do it all in reverse... I'd have to mess with mine before I'd trust myself with anyone else's though.

Mine is a near mint condition. And I fixed it with a paper clip and a piece of sand paper.

Yesterday while busy someone decided to mess with my Srt101. Normally that is no problem but in this case they unscrewed the rewind knob and pushed the shaft out the bottom. Not only does it appear there is a spring end or something blocking the shaft. But I believe they may have not thought it through and they placed the shaft in the film compartment and closed the film door... I have no clue what to do on this one.

Thanks! Now the true test comes with my srt101 someone was messing with it yesterday (without my knowledge) and the rewind knob was unscrewed and the shafts pushed out. Which in itself isn't as easy to get back in as you'd expect... the best part in the shaft is in the spot for the film roll and the door is shut! But that's a discussion for the Minolta section haha

I have cleaned and very lightly lubricated all the mechanical parts and removed the foam and I have not had any issues since that. But before I did I noticed that sometimes pusing the shutter release it wouldn't release the shutter and had to be pressed again which I thought was odd. But everything functions great now! I even disassembled the lens which I wasn't to worried about as I was going to replace it anyay so if it didn't work it was no problem. I cleaned all the junk out of it and gently removed the oil from the aperture blades and cleaned the lenses (making sure nothing was left behind) and it works smooth and is extremely clear. After all that I think I have a great functioning camera with a clear clean lens. Of course I need to replace the foam still, but that's an other story.

I took the base plate off and noticed it was just slightly dented in and an arm in the mechanism was rubbing against the base plate and had actually worn a groove into it. A got it straitened out and it seems to move better. But I've noticed mine also doesn't have the foam around the front that is normally under the base plate, it's possible that it wore away. Is this some sort of just in case light seal as light can come through the base into the camera? Should I replace it? And also I've noticed that the mirror sticks when you tilt the camera back but not when upside down and not every time when right side up. Seems odd.