Pierre Kervella
13-May-2001, 10:44
After about 200 pictures with my Tachihara 4x5" camera (I purchased it new a whi le ago), I got today a problem with the lever that supports the back standard.
Pictures of the broken parts (with the text of this mail) can be found at the ad ress: http://elbereth.obspm.fr/~kervella/Tachihara/description.htm
The small metal axis that allow the rotation of the base of this lever seems to have broken due to "scissor effect". Since already a few weeks I had noticed tha t the camera was a bit harder to unfold. Not very much, but enough to be noticea ble. I inspected the camera thoroughly and could not see anything wrong, therefo re I attributed the problem to normal wear, or maybe lack of grease on the rotat ive parts.
Then when I was opening the camera just as usual, I heard a small "click", and t he axis of the lever rotation point on the basis of the camera was broken in two ! This axis seems to be riveted into the base of the camera, and I am not sure if is really rotating easily, as there is usually a resistance with rivet mounti ngs. Maybe this resistance is the cause of the problem. I think that a nut and b olt system would be more reliable and easy to adjust.
What I would like to know is how to have it fixed:
1) Send the camera for repair in Germany or in Europe. I bought the camera in th e US, but I am not very willing to send it across the Atlantic, especially as it is not covered by the warranty any more. 2) Replace the riveted axis by a low profile nut and bolt ? This will require to machine the lever I suppose, as part of the axis is still in it, and it seems t o be welded to the arm itself.
If you have any suggestion, it is really welcome ! Thanks a lot for your help :- ).
Pictures of the broken parts (with the text of this mail) can be found at the ad ress: http://elbereth.obspm.fr/~kervella/Tachihara/description.htm
The small metal axis that allow the rotation of the base of this lever seems to have broken due to "scissor effect". Since already a few weeks I had noticed tha t the camera was a bit harder to unfold. Not very much, but enough to be noticea ble. I inspected the camera thoroughly and could not see anything wrong, therefo re I attributed the problem to normal wear, or maybe lack of grease on the rotat ive parts.
Then when I was opening the camera just as usual, I heard a small "click", and t he axis of the lever rotation point on the basis of the camera was broken in two ! This axis seems to be riveted into the base of the camera, and I am not sure if is really rotating easily, as there is usually a resistance with rivet mounti ngs. Maybe this resistance is the cause of the problem. I think that a nut and b olt system would be more reliable and easy to adjust.
What I would like to know is how to have it fixed:
1) Send the camera for repair in Germany or in Europe. I bought the camera in th e US, but I am not very willing to send it across the Atlantic, especially as it is not covered by the warranty any more. 2) Replace the riveted axis by a low profile nut and bolt ? This will require to machine the lever I suppose, as part of the axis is still in it, and it seems t o be welded to the arm itself.
If you have any suggestion, it is really welcome ! Thanks a lot for your help :- ).