Camera Talk

For me only heat works…

Quick update: the Regent (non Super) focus dial is perfectly smooth now. Again, stuck immovable for the last decade. Did not disassemble. Just dripped off a screwdriver the PB’Blaster into the joints along the edges of that dial over the course of a few days and worked in as it loosened. Will probably do that a few more times but so far, golden. Not much effect on the Super Regent yet, but haven’t been focused on that one.

Of course, the camera smells like gasoline now…

Videos forthcoming. Heading into outpatient…

And the secret is…

Heat. Like, real heat. I’ve had inconsistent and mediocre luck with an 110 watt hairdryer, but because I suddenly have need to shrink wrap electrical connectors, I decided to look at fer real heat guns. Luckily it’s pseudo Prime Day. Combined with the growth of eastern manufacturing, I can actually afford one now. Got it today, fired it up. And the helical turns. It’s not fixed yet, needs more heat and to be cleaned and lubricated, but This Is The Way.

PB Blaster? I need to get some of that.

I am a fan of Agfa cameras from the 1950s and earlier. The Super Solinette is a nice camera and seems to be identical to the Super Regent. Agfa also did this wth the Isolettes in that it produced cameras for itself and Ansco.

My one gripe about many of the mid-range Agfa rangefinders is that the mechanism isn't as precise as I would like it to be.

Of course, the other gripe is the hardened grease.

scott wrote: ↑

Fri Jul 12, 2024 3:56 pm

Is the Solinette II the same as the Regent? I had it in my head a Regent was analogous to the Solinette. Very nice collection!

Yes the Regent = Solinette II
The differences between I and II is subtle mostly a square frame around the viewfirnder

Haven't been really focused on photography lately (well, moreso than the last several years still, but fits and starts), but finished off the Super Regent this morning. Update on all that later.

Have been trying to be more active in the garage/shop lately. The Super Regent was sitting on the bench out there since summer. In moving it, I thought I'd fire up the heat gun again and see if I could move the focus. It was a *little* moveable, but not usable. Couldn't immediately decipher the settings on the heat gun, so just cranked it up. Apparently to HIGH. Put the focused attachment on it, aimed it at the front of the camera. In about, dunno - 25 to 30 seconds - it was hot. When the camera started smoking, I figure that was probably good. And it was. The outer helicoid was moving freely. Nice! Grabbed a little screwdriver and tried to rotate the inner. Very, very grudgingly it moved. I extended it enough that I could clean and lube the threads front and back. Which I did. Everything moves nicely now:

(I had a video of the inner helicoid moving, but it wasn't, um, acceptable, and the camera is back together. Take my word for it.)

The shutter needed very very little of anything. Glass got cleaned thoroughly. The rangefinder, somehow, moves freely. I'd forgotten how nice the rangefinder is on these. I still need to put a ground glass to the rails and confirm focus, but seems pretty good. Played hell getting the shutter back into the standard, but everything is together and groovy now.
Ansco Super Regent by Scott, on Flickr

Will confirm the rangefinder accuracy, then load 'er up. Have a bunch of film to develop right now (hopefully start that this afternoon); would like to have this one in the queue as well.

So, to reiterate, the key to the green glue appears to be HEAT. Lots of it. More than a hair dryer. You probably all knew that. I'm a bit slow on the uptake. But you probably all knew that, too.

Well done Scott, and that Solinar is a very good lens. Good tip on just using heat to thaw the infamous Agfa green grease.

Well persevered! A modern plastic camera would not have survived.

I look forward to some shots from it.

GOOD JOB!!!
Those are very nice cameras, I wish I could find a way to open the top of mine to adjust that RF.

titrisol wrote: ↑

Tue Dec 17, 2024 9:26 am

GOOD JOB!!!
Those are very nice cameras, I wish I could find a way to open the top of mine to adjust that RF.

Should be the same as the solid body Super Memar version, Pablo.

https://flic.kr/s/aHsjCbMYma

Good work on that Super Regent, Scott! Perseverance is the main attribute to have when working on Agfa/Ansco cameras.

PF