jake_lighthouse

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>

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

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.