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on Aug 25, 2023 3:46:27 GMT
Posted: Aug 25, 2023 3:46:27 GMT
Hi My first post, I have a Minimatic C with a dead ligtmeter, is there a way to use it, ie sunny 16? Or is it unusable & throw in bin?
The light meter is not visible in the viewfinder, on removing the top cover it looks like it is not in the correct position & isn't responding at all. Looks a bit like a previous owner has had a play & reassembled it badly.
Thanks
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Status: Failed treatment for L.B.A. and G.A.S,
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on Aug 25, 2023 13:25:21 GMT
Posted: Aug 25, 2023 13:25:21 GMT
Welcome to the forum, ajh656 ... In case you have no manual for it, you can get to one online here: www.butkus.org/chinon/yashica/yashica_minimatic_c/yashica_minimatic_c.htmIt might be hard for us to judge any previous tinkering without several pictures or even handling the camera. You didn't mention If the top meter needle is responding to light properly. If it isn't then the visibility of the viewfinder display won't be important. If it does, then the display piece might have dislodged and is somewhere in the body cavity, or if there was an earlier DIY attempt, it may have been removed intentionally if the bulbs stopped working. You might have to adapt how the camera can be used without a display, and use the top meter to set exposure, but I don't know how easy that might be. These cameras are meant to be used with the over/under lights to confirm exposure. If the meter isn't responding... Most metered cameras that aren't powered by batteries may not be good candidates for repairing the meter functions. Selenium plates are no longer available as parts, and reviving them is hit and miss, but there is a generic repair guide by Mike Elek if you'd want to pursue it. Some users here have had some success, but others have not, so there's no guarantees. Without any metering, you will have a very limited mode of operation, assuming the remaining parts function as intended. The shutter will only operate at 1/30 of a second when set outside the 'Auto' position, unless it's for long exposures using the 'B' (bulb) position. The only other controllable variable there is will be in choosing the film's ASA speed. |
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on Aug 25, 2023 23:38:57 GMT
Posted: Aug 25, 2023 23:38:57 GMT
Hi Lumiworx Thanks for the reply I have already down loaded the manual from the site you suggested. All of the internal parts seem to be there but not in the correct position. I'm going to have another look, pull the top cover of & see if it's possible to get everything back to where it should be. Failing that I will look around for another camera, this one only cost me a few $ so I have little to lose. I would like to repair it if possible rather than throwing it out as the rest of the camera is in mint condition.
Thanks again for your help.
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Status: Failed treatment for L.B.A. and G.A.S,
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on Aug 26, 2023 1:32:47 GMT
Posted: Aug 26, 2023 1:32:47 GMT
There may be a dedicated repair manual floating out there somewhere and it might offer a perfect fix, but I had no luck in locating one online. There might also be a rather simple solution to fixing a non-working meter, as some Yashica rangefinders are known to have issues with wires (meter or flash) not being connected. These issues are usually from battery acid leaks and the chemicals are wicked up the wire, corrode it, and it falls off its solder point. If the missing or misaligned parts can be returned to position, and metering still doesn't work, that's an alternative to try. Parts were often used in more than one camera too, so donor parts can come from adjacent Yashica models in some cases. One last generic repair page for Yashica rangefinders for reference... www.yashica-guy.com/document/repair.htmlGood luck. |
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