Topic: Vivitar Ultra Wide & Slim winder repair

[al]

These little cameras have a weak point in the wind on mechanism, many advise against using 36 exposure films as the mechanism groans once you get past 24.

Breakages do seem pretty common.  Mine have been fine for many rolls of film, mostly 36's, but one finally gave way this week.  The broken part was too small to fix in itself, but I did manage to modify things slightly so the the camera can be used again.

I've documented the fix here, worth looking at if yours breaks before you consign it to the bin.
 

[ndroo]

Cool. Thanks. The UWS is one very nice cam to use and best of all ... it's really cheap. How much does one cost over there?

[Pete_R]

I paid 5 pounds for mine in the UK. That's probably a top price. I know others have paid a lot less.

[eddie]

I just got one yesterday and was thinking that 36 might be a strain.  Thanks for confirming.

[tijeras]

$1.99 US dollars at the thrift store.
They had three, and I bought the trio.

I know, I know...but parts.  They were so cheap I figured I 'd need one for parts.

 

[cmdrray]

The Vivitar Ultra Wide isn't alone in the land of weak film winding. Many of the point and shoot 35mm cameras from the 80s and 90s would not wind properly if loaded with 36 exposure film.

[ndroo]

$1.99 US dollars at the thrift store.
They had three, and I bought the trio.

I know, I know...but parts.  They were so cheap I figured I 'd need one for parts.

 

 

Not a bad idea