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blacknoise
09-30-2008, 15:44
Hi guys,

I got an Iskra the other day and the camera is in overall good condition, except the focusing is a bit stiff. Anyone know how I can dismantle it to relubricate the helical?

Thanks

Rob
Eric T
09-30-2008, 15:49
My Iskra's focusing is very stiff as well. i am eager to hear the answers from the RFF group.
Tarzak
09-30-2008, 16:25
There's an old thread on this issue somewhere...
blacknoise
09-30-2008, 17:10
the thread I found only really talks about dripping lighter fluid/oil through the back of the helical, which sounds like a bad idea to me. Anyone know how to get at the helical to clean it and reapply the grease?
fanshaw
10-01-2008, 08:58
the thread I found only really talks about dripping lighter fluid/oil through the back of the helical, which sounds like a bad idea to me. Anyone know how to get at the helical to clean it and reapply the grease?

I applied a few drops of oil in this way and it made a dramatic difference to the focussing. I was relieved not to have to take it apart.
blacknoise
10-01-2008, 14:14
oh, might try that out then. Just a bit worried about it getting into the aperture/shutter mechanism.
sockeyed
10-01-2008, 14:30
My Iskra had very stiff focus too. A few drops on Ronsonol lighter fluid helped, but it's stiff again after not being used much. Unfortunately it seems very difficult to disassemble to access the lens threads.
Solinar
10-01-2008, 14:53
With rear double removed, you should see the shutter retaining ring for its removal.

The stiffness is due to the dried out grease in the helical. Flushing with Rosinol is for cleaning. The helical needs to be greased. Rack the focus forward to 1 meter and try greasing the rear of the helical. Then rack the focus back to infinity and 1 meter until the grease works its way into the helical.

I use a heavy synthetic silicone grease. It does not liquefy over time.
VictorM.
10-01-2008, 15:47
Here's the old Iskra thread (from 2005!): http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=13574&highlight=iskra+light+leaks

I followed the instructions on loosening and tightening screws with great success.
fanshaw
10-02-2008, 09:32
This is the thread that I remember. I used light oil, not Ronsonol.

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?p=578895&highlight=Iskra+stiff#post578895
blacknoise
10-02-2008, 13:38
I dripped a little lighter fluid, followed by sewing machine oil down the helical threads, plus a little more oil in the gaps on the focus wheel and it has made a huge difference :)

Thanks guys :)

Also, I found that the arm that links the aperture dial to its mechanism wasn't connected (i Have fixed it now), so I shot a whole roll of delta 400 with aperture fully stopped down. How should I remedy this? It was shot on an overcast day. Should I push the film to Iso 800? or even furtherer?

Rob