Repair of Aires IIIC Camera

E-messer · 04-29-2012

Hi - new to this Forum - a crossover from Steve Gandy's other ( moribund ) rangefinder/Leica forums.

I have a nice, clean c. 1959 Aires IIIC rangefinder. Nice clear finder; rangefinder is correct BUT the shutter does not work ( may be a diaphragm blade problem among other things ). I have a spare body ( not working ) which could be cannibalized for parts. Who can repair this and is it worth the cost?

If not worth the cost of repair, do any of you have a nice working camera to sell. If so, let me know. Thanks.

E-messer

Frontman · 05-02-2012

The shutters on these cameras often stick. Rather than do a major disassembly, I remove the rear lens element and rinse the shutter blades with lighter fluid. This method has worked with a couple of stuck IIIC cameras I have found.

nikon_sam · 05-02-2012

Most likely there is oil on the shutter blades...take the spare body and figure out the easiest way to them...clean them off several times...let it sit for a day or more then check if it fires properly...you'll probably find you might have to clean them once more...
I have this camera and it works but was never impressed with the results of the lens it has...I don't use it because of it...but that's just me...
Other than that it's a beautiful camera...and I do wish I could like the output...

E-messer · 05-02-2012

Thanks to Frontman and Nikon Sam. Unfortunately, I have tried this without success. The diaphragm opening is not a nice hexagon ( pentagon? ) - it is a weird shape - which leads me to believe that one of the blades is broken or slipped out of its track. Probably a ( too ) expensive repair - that's why I'm looking for one in the same nice shape as mine that works. I want to take pictures with it, and am unhappy to hear that the lens may not be up to par. An Aires Viscount ( same lens ) was my first good camera as a teenager, so maybe it's just nostalgia.

Frontman · 05-07-2012

I have gotten good results with my Aires IIIC cameras, no complaints about IQ. Here in Japan the IIIC is a desirable camera, and usually sells for a relatively high price.

E-messer · 05-11-2012

Thanks, Frontman for the info - also the comment about the IQ of the f1.9 Coral lens. The camera is beautiful to look at, but I'd like to be able to actually use mine.

Blanc · 05-12-2012

Well the shutter is not that complicated (seikosha MXL), any trained repair guy should do the job for the extra body plus 50 bucks (well I would)...
On the diy side I won't recommand a home job, shutter cocking and advance are quite tricky to match correctly on this model (worst than the III L one...).

E-messer · 05-14-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blanc

Well the shutter is not that complicated (seikosha MXL), any trained repair guy should do the job for the extra body plus 50 bucks (well I would)...
On the diy side I won't recommand a home job, shutter cocking and advance are quite tricky to match correctly on this model (worst than the III L one...).

BLANC: I have one more repair shop in town to try. But if they can't do it or are too expensive, are you saying you'll do it for $50 and the extra ( nonworking ) body? Where are you located? I'll PM you, if we start a conversation on this topic. I don't have the talent to do this, so I would never attempt it myself