Stripped, Gutted... Beautiful.

[Dan Cattermole]

Just spent the last 6 hours stripping down my two freshly purchased rangefinders I picked up for a total of £5.00.

The Yashica was in good shape, just a bit of a clean here and there sorted it right out.

Now the viewfinder is much clearer. Dust/fungus removed!

The Ricoh was MINGING. Sticky horrible light seals in the thing, the lens casing was loose and called for a dismantle to see if a solution was on order. And there was, simply three screws tightened right up to suit. Done.

Now for the sticky stuff.
After doing a bit of research, it soon transpired that nail varnish was a good option for a simple house product.

Someone really made sure it was light tight alright!

After

And now with new seals....
Putting them on the door was too diddly fid, so this is how I put them for now (maybe permanently if it holds)

And now ladies and gentlemen... I present to you, my first MINT rangefinders, locked and loaded and ready to shoot.


image by dajoolzcat, on Flickr


image by dajoolzcat, on Flickr


image by dajoolzcat, on Flickr

Thanks for looking

 

[Dave Green]

Looking good! What material do you use for the seals?

 

[Pete Askew]

Great write up and super cameras, especially the Yashica. Can't wait to see the results.

 

[Dan Cattermole]

Looking good! What material do you use for the seals?

Thanks Dave.
I used self adhesive open cell 3mm thick foam. Hoping that should be enough.

 

[Dan Cattermole]

Great write up and super cameras, especially the Yashica. Can't wait to see the results.

Thanks Pete, can't wait either!

 

[Julian de'Courcy]

Dan thanks for this post. It will give me courage and motivation to look at the spoils I have picked up in the last year.
A great post.

 

[Dave Young]

Well done Dan.... that Yashica looks a thing of real beauty.

 

[Dan Cattermole]

Dan thanks for this post. It will give me courage and motivation to look at the spoils I have picked up in the last year.
A great post.

Oh yes! I'll be looking forward to them to Julian

 

[Dan Cattermole]

Well done Dan.... that Yashica looks a thing of real beauty.

Thanks Dave, tis a lovely bit of kit. Still pinching myself that I've ended up with it for such a bargain!

 

[Dan Cattermole]

Speaking of the Yashica..... I've just put a roll through it.
What I have noticed is that it may have 'slipped' a few cogs now and then inside the winding mechanism.
I put a 24x roll in and for some reason it had the ability to reach 36.
Upon winding the roll back in it felt like half the roll went back in.
I tried apply a bit of pressure with my fingers to the first guiding spool with the back open and it seems okay. I definitely loaded it right.

I'll try another roll and see how that works..... If not, back to the drawing board.

 

[Beth Carter]

cool shots, sounds like you had fun restoring them. the cameras look great.

 

[Lesley Jones]

I can't tell you how happy it makes me to see people restoring old cameras. I remember seeing all the unwanted gems literally lining the walls of the old camera shop in town. It nearly made me weep to hear how they were only for decoration because nobody wanted to buy them. You've done a great job!

 

[Dan Cattermole]

cool shots, sounds like you had fun restoring them. the cameras look great.

I certainly did, and always will enjoy it

 

[Hamish Gill]

good work!!

(take the filter of the yash, won't be doing it much good id reckon!)

 

[Dan Cattermole]

I can't tell you how happy it makes me to see people restoring old cameras. I remember seeing all the unwanted gems literally lining the walls of the old camera shop in town. It nearly made me weep to hear how they were only for decoration because nobody wanted to buy them. You've done a great job!

Very kind words Lesley.
I can't tell you how much I love messing with cameras.
I'm not a TV watcher, I detest it in fact, but I do occupy my time with 2 things I love doing, cycling around on my famous Dutchie, and maintaining/restoring/playing with cameras..... And just like yourself, it breaks me to see old cameras on the wall only for 'show'... Get and use them I say!

 

[Dan Cattermole]

good work!!

(take the filter of the yash, won't be doing it much good id reckon!)

Ha!!! Just have about 10 mins ago....... Weird . Lol

 

[Hamish Gill]

I think you should look to get your self a nice little oly 35rc ... I think you would really love it!

 

[Dan Cattermole]

What's the difference between the RC and the DC? Are they just as good?

 

[Dan Cattermole]

Ah! Lens! RC 2.8 and the DC 1.7
Which would you go for?

 

[Chris Dodkin]

You're a talented man Dan - a talented man