Frozen shutter-speed selector

[hlockwood]

The shutter-speed selector on my Hexar RF appears to be partially frozen. I can move the dial only the short distance between B and AEL, and with great difficulty. I don't know whether it's the locking button or the selector knob that is the problem. But, in any event, a repair is in order. :(

Has anyone had a similar problem? And can anyone recommend a repair facility/person?

Harry

[awilder]

What was it doing before it got to this point? Did the shutter speed click stops feel solid or was there some play in the dial for each click stop? Ideally the click stops should be solid with very little play yet easy to turn the dial thoughout the manual speeds. My best guess is that if excess play had developed prior to the problem, one or both of the small phillips head screws holding the internal assembly together has worked loose and is jamming up the works and wedged within the dial assembly. If you feel brave, follow the previous posts on the top cover removal seen here: http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1937 to see what's actually happening or send it out for repair.

[hlockwood]

What was it doing before it got to this point? Did the shutter speed click stops feel solid or was there some play in the dial for each click stop? Ideally the click stops should be solid with very little play yet easy to turn the dial thoughout the manual speeds. My best guess is that if excess play had developed prior to the problem, one or both of the small phillips head screws holding the internal assembly together has worked loose and is jamming up the works and wedged within the dial assembly. If you feel brave, follow the previous posts on the top cover removal seen here: http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1937 to see what's actually happening or send it out for repair.

Thanks for making me aware of the repair forum; I should have seen that before. :o

I was not aware of any play developing in the shutter-speed dial before discovering that it was jammed.

After reading the various posts on the thread you referenced, I've decided I'm not brave enough to undertake an investigation under the hood. I'll send it out for repair instead.

There are two repair services cited: Precision Camera Works and Nippon Photo Clinic. I've initiated contact with both. If anyone has a comment on either of these (or any other service facility) I'd appreciate hearing from you.

Harry

[ColinJ]

Try Greg Weber. Ih he cannot repair it, no-one can:

Weber Camera (http://www.webercamera.com/)

[hlockwood]

Try Greg Weber. Ih he cannot repair it, no-one can:

Weber Camera (http://www.webercamera.com/)

Coincidentally, I just shipped my HRF to Greg Weber this morning. He was recommended to me by Tony Polson.

Harry

[hlockwood]

The shutter-speed selector on my Hexar RF appears to be partially frozen. I can move the dial only the short distance between B and AEL, and with great difficulty. I don't know whether it's the locking button or the selector knob that is the problem. But, in any event, a repair is in order. :(

Has anyone had a similar problem? And can anyone recommend a repair facility/person?

Harry

As I mentioned in another post, I sent the HRF to Greg Weber. He called me this morning to say the camera was fixed. "This camera was dropped," he said. I then remembered that indeed, the strap had once slipped from my shoulder, the camera bounced off my outstretched foot, then hit the floor. Apparently, it landed "perfectly" on the shutter-speed dial and bent it internally. Greg was able to straighten the pin, and now all is well.

That's the good news. But, as many of you know, getting spare parts for this camera is a serious problem. Electronics? Forget it.

It's a damn shame that such a great camera is destined for obscurity for lack of parts.

The repair, with a CLA thrown in, was $150. Very reasonable.

Harry

[maddoc]

As I mentioned in another post, I sent the HRF to Greg Weber. He called me this morning to say the camera was fixed. "This camera was dropped," he said. I then remembered that indeed, the strap had once slipped from my shoulder, the camera bounced off my outstretched foot, then hit the floor. Apparently, it landed "perfectly" on the shutter-speed dial and bent it internally. Greg was able to straighten the pin, and now all is well.

That's the good news. But, as many of you know, getting spare parts for this camera is a serious problem. Electronics? Forget it.

It's a damn shame that such a great camera is destined for obscurity for lack of parts.

The repair, with a CLA thrown in, was $150. Very reasonable.

Harry

Glad to hear that your camera could be fixed and wasn"t damaged more seriously. And... Thanks for the link to the camera-repair shop ! Just in case ... good to know !! :)