Restoring smooth opening on a Retina II?

[scott]

Hi, all -

Getting close to finishing the inaugural roll in the Retina II (14) I got last August. The one thing I couldn't sort was the door. Doesn't open freely. Should just mostly pop open when the release is pressed. This one, the latch opens, the door, well, don't. I end up tilting it forward, get a nail under it, and pull it open. Other than that and a few small Zeiss bumps, the camera's in amazing shape, easily the best of any Retina I've owned. Chris Sherlock has a video about this (well, buried in a video) and after watching it, it didn't really apply to my situation. Have tried cleaning and lubing all contact points, to no avail. Anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks!
Scott

[Julio1fer]

I assume that you already checked that the door is straight, level with body, etc.

What exactly may be impeding the door when you open the latch?

Was looking for my Retina II but it is in some box still unopened. IIRC the latch mechanism just moves a couple of little hooks up and down. Maybe those hooks, or the matching piece in the body, are out of their positions?

[scott]

There doesn't seem to be anything impeding it, nothing is bent. Moves smoothly, just doesn't move unless I give it a little help. I may just be used to the other folders I have that snap open; this just doesn't. I've looked for a loose/broken/disengaged spring, but no joy. I think the Chris Sherlock video had him disassembling the entire shutter/body to futz with it; I have no interest in doing that (right now). May just have to leave it be for now...

[Julio1fer]

I found my dear Retina II (dear, because an identical one was my first serious camera, shared with brother). Looks to me like a 014 model.

Here is a picture of the back. I believe that the spring marked with a yellow circle is what makes the door snap open, once the latch is released. Is there a similar one in your camera?



The latch mechanism is in the following image, in open position.



In the body there is only a small pin, that fits in the square hole in the edge that is shown open when the latch is in the open position. When the latch closes, it catches the pin and secures the door. When it opens, the spring in the previous image makes the door snap open.

[scott]

Okay, this is fantastic! Thanks for putting this together, Julio. I have (I think) four more shots on this roll (unless it’s 36 exposure; I’m hoping to go walk around Birdsboro and burn off this roll and a few others Friday). As soon as that’s done I’ll check the back. I had no idea that was the way the mechanism worked, if that spring is wonky, it looks reasonable to tweak.

[Julio1fer]

Glad to help! With door closed, the spring seems to make contact with the upper part of the roller with teeth that fit in the film perforations. Seems a good bet to check that spring. Let us know how it comes out!

That Retina model is IMHO one of the best design compromises of size, performance and reliability in the whole series.

[scott]

Ah, we're talking about two different things: I'm talking about the lens standard/front door. You're talking about the film compartment door. Sorry - I reread my post and it's entirely vague. I will post a video a little later of what I'm talking about. I apparently need to up my caffeine intake again...

[Julio1fer]

Ah, well, sorry then! Will check this issue in mine.

[melek]

I have a Retina II, and the lens door does not pop open. In fact, it almost doesn't close. I have to pull the door open and push the door closed.

This is the model with two eyepieces - one for focusing and one for composing - and a circle on the front of the lens door.

[Julio1fer]

This is my Retina II, a 014 if I am not mistaken.



To open the front door, the button in the bottom of the body marked with an arrow is pressed.



This is what I understand from looking at the mechanism:

That button pushes up a thin, narrow metal sheet with a stop or hook that engages the slit in the door, marked with a green circle. As the button and the sheet move up, the same stop pushes out the door, because of the slope in the slit. The door opens only a few millimeters, enough to hold with fingers and get fully open. If I push the button harder and further, the door opens a bit more. I find no other device to push the front door open.

Maybe you just need to push that button further up? Maybe the slop in your door slit has worn out, or the stop is out of shape?

The button is opposed/loaded with a flat spring, attached to the bottom of the body.

To close the front door, sometimes it just clicks, but sometimes I need to push the door inside while holding the button, in order for the hook to catch the slit.

Other folding Retinas I have seem to have a similar mechanism.

Hope this helps! Maybe a more knowledgeable member can chime in?