Topic: bencini shutter problem

[mark, fourstarfilm.com]

hey all,

i've just been given a bencini/cmf reflex camera, taking 127 film. it seems i have to extend the tube with the lens on it, and twist it slightly to one side. initially the shutter was firing repeatedly, then the shutter trigger that you can see in the video only worked in one position, now it doesn't do anything, and i think the light i can see through the shutter when i manually reset it is getting less and less.

the only thing that's stopping me writing it off as broken is that it worked initially. is it an old spring, does it need oiling, can i take it apart.

any help or ideas appreciated since i can't seem to find anything much about it, to help me, online.

greetings from italia
mark

Bencini shutter problem

[Terry]

Mark,
I have an old Bencini Comet that seems to use the same type of shutter mechanism.  Mine resets the firing lever as soon as I release the shutter.  So I would say that your diagnosis is correct: it could be a weak spring or (more likely) dirt or old grease in the lever mechanism, or perhaps in the shutter .  It/ll probably require a partial strip-down of the lens tube to get in there and clean/re-lubricate the mechanism.  Whatever you do, don't throw it away; I'm sure it's fix-able.
Terry

[Suzi Livingstone]

Yes I had a Bencini with similar problem, was told it was old grease clogging it up.

[Francois]

But whatever you do, don't use spray lube on it (especially WD-40). This stuff becomes sticky and really make it worse than anything. You're better off using lighter fluid to liquify thick grease.

Check here first for a ton of tips
http://www.kyphoto.com/classics/articles.html

And get your digicam ready to document the dismantle every step of the way! It's the only way not to be stuck with leftovers

[mark, fourstarfilm.com]

that's brill that guys, thanks, and also i think i'm glad i posted instead of going straight for the WD40. will post the results once i gut the little blighter. it's one of those objects to me now, that's got a sentimental value far exceeding any financial worth!

[mark, fourstarfilm.com]

so, guys, problem solved, which i really didn't think would happen. so i took the lens/shutter cover off, and saw that the spring had snapped. must have been that it's final bit of juice was used the other day when i blew off the dust.

only question now, is trying to think what iso to put into it, according to sunny 16, i'd need iso 25 right? if its 1/50th of a second at f11?? is that right? for a sunny day atleast?

cheers for the help, and the first set of pics will go straight up here too

[Francois]

Well, sunny 16 says it

Speed 1/ Film ISO
Aperture f/16

So, for a 1/50 sec shutter, 50 ISO at f/16

If you don't have film that slow, if it's color, 100 ISO negative will work fine (the colors won't turn cruddy). If it's B&W, using 100 ISO shouldn't be a problem either (though pulling development a bit would help)

[mark, fourstarfilm.com]

Better late than never, although I realise this is indeed very late, a photo taken with the Bencini Relex 127 in Berlin. It misfired a couple of times, either that or I didn't rotate the barrel properly to engage the shutter mechanism.

http://fourstarfilm.com/cmf-bencini-reflex-127/

[Francois]

As they say: better late than never

At least it works...

[Terry]

It works!!!  Congratulations!