Fujica Compact Deluxe Repairs

McBride · 02-21-2012

Just got a Fujica Compact Deluxe off the 'Bay. Naturally, what was described as "everything seems to operate properly" translates to "absolutely nothing on this camera works". Almost. The focus/RF mechanism actually seems to be OK, but otherwise:
-The shutter is stuck. Camera will wind on, charge the shutter, but the blades do not move when the release is pressed. I've checked to make sure the self-timer is not partially engaged, and still no movement.
-The aperture blades do not move when the ring is moved.
-One of the battery contacts (the one attached to the camera body, not the one in the cap) appears to be broken off, but I've not been able to find a photo of the compartment to be sure.
-The window for the top meter has fallen into the housing, and the window for the film counter (if there ever was one to begin with) is missing.
-Of course, degraded light seals.
These problems aside, the camera body/leather are in great shape, and the glass is perfect, so I think it's a good candidate for rehab. I've heard great things about the lens, and I like some of the eccentricities of the Fujica line (thumbwheel focus, bottom wind, etc.)
I've done complete teardowns and cleanings on Minolta Hi-Matic 9, Canonet GIII, and several German and Japanese TLRs, but this Fujica is a different beast. I'm looking to avoid any pitfalls that will turn this beautiful machine into an expensive paperweight. So...

My questions are:
1-Does anybody have experience with repairs to the Compact Deluxe? It's different enough from the 35 SE I have to make me pause before tearing into it.
2-Does anybody know of a repair manual available on-line for the Compact Deluxe?
3-Is there a resource on-line that can walk me through testing/adjusting the light meter on one of these cameras (or more generically, trap-needle exposure meters on '60s-'70s Japanese compact RFs)?

Thanks for your time,

Matt

farlymac · 02-21-2012

Does it need a battery to work? I tore down a GER once because I thought it was jammed up, only to discovered it worked perfectly fine after I jumpered a battery to it. Thought I had posted the teardown over on Flickr, but may have been too embarassed.

I found it a pretty easy teardown, as I took the film take-up spool out thinking it was damaged somehow. After looking at a photo of the Compact Deluxe I have on file, it doesn't look to be a difficult camera to take apart. Somewhat on a par with an Olympus 35(pick your own letters), Minolta Hi-Matic series, or Konica C35. Well, there is that thumbwheel focusing, that's different.

PF