Schwedenstahl Hello, Does anyone know of a website where I can find instructions on how to take apart the Minox copy of the Kiev 35a? Unfortunately, mine is having problems with the shutter. I know the camera is a complete technical disaster, but my model has worked very well and, objectively speaking, the lens is simply top-notch – considerably better than that of my Minox. Before I start tinkering with it, I’d like to see what’s under the covers. Perhaps someone also knows of a website about the Minox EL; I hear it’s almost technically identical. Regards, Marwan
RomanJRohleder Marwan, I can tell you how to take a Minox apart – by the way, the Minoxar on my GTX is _excellent_. The cap comes off if you carefully unscrew the screws around the edge (6 to 8, depending on the model); they’re screwed into plastic, which frays easily. You can access the prism from the back; the Minox has a brittle plastic insert there. Get your thumbnail under an edge, pry a little, and you’ll reach the hinges and the lens mount. From here on, you’re on your own. Roman
Wolf_XL ...I’d only go near the camera, though, if I was completely relaxed and under absolutely no pressure whatsoever... ;-)) I’ve already been through that with my Minox. The reason was that my lens was wobbling like a lamb’s tail, and unfortunately it couldn’t be screwed back on from the back – the lens had to be taken apart from the front... Well, at least now I know where I could get hold of a cute little grey wedge if the need ever arises... ;-)))
RomanJRohleder Wolf, >...I’d only go near the camera if I was completely relaxed, though You’re not usually relaxed? But only when Bayern are in the Palatinate again, right? >I’ve already been through that with my Minox. The reason was that >my lens was wobbling like a lamb’s tail I vaguely remember that. >Well, at least now I know where I could get hold of a cute grey wagtail >if the need ever arises... ;-))) You’ll have to explain _that_ to me now. Guess: a grey wagtail in front of the Beli (for whatever reason)? Roman
cfb_de Hi Roman, You’ll have to explain that to me now. Guess: a stepped grey wedge in front of the Beli (for whatever reason)?Aperture simulation, later replaced by a slit aperture. Your GT-X has a slit aperture. Best regards, Franz
Schwedenstahl Many thanks for the tips; I think the camera is built in exactly the same way as the Minox EL. I didn’t quite understand the bit about the lens. So if I want to work on the shutter, I have to approach it from the back – in medical terms, a rectal procedure ;-) . As with my Minox, however, I can see a chrome-plated silver aperture ring that serves as a film guide, secured by four screws. Below that is the lens, which extends like a shutter, complete with the shutter mechanism. The entire unit slides out when the lens is extended, featuring a rubber-like light seal running all the way round, just like on the Minox. This extending rectangular box is secured at each corner with a single screw. In the centre of the box is an almost oval funnel that opens into the rear lens element. To the right of the funnel, two screws are arranged one above the other. What do I need to unscrew to get the best access to the shutter??? I hope my description was clear. I think that when tinkering with the inner workings, one should always bear in mind the saying of the ancient anatomist Andreas Vesalius. Doctors without knowledge of anatomy are like moles; they dig in the dark and the result of their work is mounds of earth. It’s not so critical with cameras, but I just always like to know what awaits me next under the cover. With that in mind, best regards. PS: Of course the Minox lens is great; I just wanted to say that the Kiev is top-notch too, at least in my case. But I wouldn’t advise anyone to buy the thing. Regards Marwan
