Hanimex Compact R with sand in focus ring

Jon Kincaid

Jon Kincaid

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I just purchased a Compact R from a charity shop for the grand sum of £4 which I thought all looked fine. The f-stop and shutter speed rings both rotate nicely and I checked the aperture leaves and that all seemed fine. What I neglected to do though was to check the focus!

It'll move from infinity back to about 3m then starts to grind.

Does anyone now how easy it would be to remove the lens mount and remove the grit?

Should have checked more thoroughly tbh but for four squid...

Oh, and it had a film in it already!
 
I've never worked on one of those but looking at Google images it looks like a copy of a Ricoh 500G/Olympus 35RC so the lens disassembly is probably the same. I photographed the steps to open up the lens in my 35RC project thread here so I'd try those;

https://www.talkphotography.co.uk/threads/olympus-35rc-project.567011/

Good luck, for four quid it's really the end of the world if you can't fix it so see it as a challenge and take pictures as you go to help you put it back together. It's also best to set the aperture/focus to a set position before you start (e.g. F2.8 / Infinity) so you know where to put them when you re-assemble...oh, and keep an eye out for the ball bearing that gives you the aperture click stops because it will probably drop out :0) Work on a cloth/kitchen roll so shims/parts don't bounce off onto the darkest/blackest part of your house never to be seen again!

Cheers
Steve
 
Brilliant Steve, thanks. I'll have a go later and see if works the same way.

It would be lovely to get it up and running.

Jon
 
No problem Jon, happy to help. I hate seeing cameras confined to the bin when they could possibly be repaired. Lighter fluid is always good for cleaning inside cameras although you might need to wipe off the old grease and apply new on the focus helicoid if it's got dust and crud in it.
 
There's a big satisfaction in getting an old camera up and running again. If you don't have any, then picking up a decent set of jewellers screwdrivers will definitely pay off and they are handy to have in any case.
 
stevelmx5 said:
No problem Jon, happy to help. I hate seeing cameras confined to the bin when they could possibly be repaired. Lighter fluid is always good for cleaning inside cameras although you might need to wipe off the old grease and apply new on the focus helicoid if it's got dust and crud in it.
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It worked!

It wasn't grit, it was the (and excuse me while I describe things as I don't know what the are called!) arms that hold the little screws were loose so the helicoid (check me out) wasn't running straight, it in turn had rough edges on its base that were catching. I tightened the screw mounts, removed the burrs (verrrrry carefully) with a piece of fine sharpening block, re-oiled with the oil I have for my hair clippers and Hey Tescos it's as smooth as a baby's nether regions.

Now I have to get the exposure meter working . Tried an LR44 but nothing. Of course that battery might be dead too! Time to try one of the other 72 I have!

[scrap that, it's working now, piece of crud on terminal, picked off, wiped with vinegar, all clean, all working!]

Cheers for the advice

I'm a very happy bunny!
 
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Excellent news Jon. It's a good feeling knowing you've managed to keep a camera alive isn't it :0)
 
That was very short and sweet with a happy ending.
Ben Hur would still be on if it had started at the same time as this thread :)
 
kendo1 said:
That was very short and sweet with a happy ending.
Ben Hur would still be on if it had started at the same time as this thread :)
Click to expand...
I think I just wanted reassurance to be honest!

I didn't realise that the ring in the front could be removed. Once that was pointed out it gave me confidence to go in and have a look. Then logic takes over I guess.

It's just great that this forum exists and friendly people want to help!
 
Congrats! Always good t start the repair career with a success! Now no cheap camera will be safe ;)

Looking forward to seeing some pics from it.
 
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