Retina Automatic III, aperture wil not close

[Brichma]

Hi there,

In search of a 'working' Retina Automatic III I've bought myself a clean and clear copy on the Bay. Even the lightmeter is responding to light and the rangefinder seems accurate. But elas, the aperture will not close, although the ring moves very smoothly. Could this be a classical case of oiled and sticky aperture blades or might it be a common Retina Automatic problem? Please share your experiences with me!

Camera on: http://cees.geldersnetwerk.nl/Cameras.html at the bottom...

Regards, Brichma


"Time flies, and I? ...I fly along..."

Kodak Retina IIIc - Kodak Retina Automatic III - Kodak Retinette Ib/Wata Combimeter - Voigtlaender Vitomatic IIIB - Voigtlaender Vito CLR - Olympus-35 ECR - Canonet QL17 GIII - Minolta Hi-Matic9 - Yashica Electro 35 GSN - Petri 7 S

[Brichma]

The lady isn't ill, she is just old...
So far I've warmed up the rear lens-element with a little halogen light and with a modest tap on the camera housing the aperture came loose. So this proved the aperture blades were stucked by oil or hardend fat. When I swing out fully and release the rapid wind lever, the aperture opens to maximum (f:2,8, take in mind it's an automatic!), but than stucks again, probably in accumulated dirt over the years round that position.
These are my actions till now. Releasing the rear lens-element by myself and cleaning with lighter-fluid, I think it's a very tricky thing... Any advise?

Regards, Brichma


"Time flies, and I? ...I fly along..."

Kodak Retina IIIc - Kodak Retina Automatic III - Kodak Retinette Ib/Wata Combimeter - Voigtlaender Vitomatic IIIB - Voigtlaender Vito CLR - Olympus-35 ECR - Canonet QL17 GIII - Minolta Hi-Matic9 - Yashica Electro 35 GSN - Petri 7 S

[Brian Sweeney]

The shutter on my auto III was stuck, a squirt of Ronsonol (lighter fluid) fixed the problem and it has been working for 10 years since.

You need to get an element off to expose the blades, try the lighter fluid, repeat if necessary. I did this years ago- but squirted the fluid in from the side and got lucky.