Gamma-Roma III Question

[murrayb53]

Hi All,

I have a question, rather simple to most, but in this case a bit bewildering.
I'm having a hard time removing the back of a Gamma III camera body. I don't want to force anything. It could be that the camera was sitting for quite some time and is just a bit stuck, or I'm not doing enough other than the usual rotation of the baseplate release.

I've searched the web and cannot find anything concerning the Gamma III and its controls, just a few images, no instructions.


Steve

[spiderfrank]

Try to ask to these guys... i think they should know how to dismount your camera ! ;-)

http://www.mprrossi.it/Newmpr.html

[murrayb53]

Thank you very much !!
I've just sent an email requesting the info I need.

It's a beautiful camera and I don't want to screw it up experimenting. There are a few controls that need explanation. I'm sure these gentlemen will be able to help.

Thanks Again,
Steve

[spiderfrank]

For sure, they are the most qualified on the Earth, regarding your camera ;-)
(they produced it)

[murrayb53]

Well, after a couple emails, no responce.
So, I'm stil trying to find out the answer to the basic question.......
How do I remove the back?

I got a kick out of reading a line in Princelle's "300 Leica Copies". Of the Gamma Camera's in general, he wrote; "A non-conformists camera".

So far, I'd agree with him.

Steve

[ludoo]

Want me to try and call them on Monday? They will probably be on vacation like most everybody around here, but it won't hurt to try. The only problem is I will probably forget to do it, so if you want me to call them, drop me a PM on Sunday night/Monday morning.

[murrayb53]

That would be wonderful!!
Thank you very much.
Will do.

Steve

[ludoo]

Ok, I spoke with a mr. Pierfrancesco which I assume is one of the owners mentioned on the site. He told me that the two small levers you see on top next to the viewfinder are a) a cutter (film cutter? weird), and b) the back release lever which is marked A/C, "A" for "Aperto" (Opened) and "C" for "Chiuso" (Closed).

He says you just need to set the lever to "A", then slide the back which comes off as a single piece with the base.

While I had him on the phone, I asked him about reliability and repairs. He told me that the main problems with these cameras are the small springs that control the curtains: they were made from scrap metal (or so I understood) at least in the first models, and tend to rust. Replacements have to made by hand as the exact thickness of the wire (or spring size, I could not follow him all that well) used is no longer manufactured and/or very hard to find.

They repair all their cameras, but he said that in some cases (extreme wear/replacement parts, etc.) the cameras will shoot and work but fast speeds will not be accurate anymore.

Hope it helps.

[murrayb53]

Thank you very much !!!
The back came off nice and smooth.e
Now to locate an appropriate lens. I placed an uncoated Elmar on it for the meantime.

I appreciate your help in getting the information for me. It helps when you have all the facts.

BTW...... Yeah, that's a film cutter. You can shoot the frames you need and when you're done just flip that switch and pull it up, that cuts off the portion of film you shot, then wind that portion into the cartridge and develop.
To my knowledge it's the only cutter in a Leica-type camera. I know the Exakta, and the Russian "Start" include a cutter in their SLR's.

Well, you take care, and.........GRATZI !!!!!!!

Steve

[ludoo]

Glad the issue was resolved!

The cutter thing is pretty weird: how do you remove exposed film from the camera? Does it use a custom cassette for film you have already shot?