I second the lighter-fluid-only approach.
I have an ancient French camera (Pontiac Baby Lynx) which I decided to
bring out of storage some time ago. It had been lying for probably 15 or
20 years. The shutter was very reluctant, on the slow speeds (1/25 and
below) it would just hang until the cocking lever was "helped along".
I removed the front cover of the shutter and applied some Zippo lighter
fluid with the tip of a very small screwdriver to the axles and teeth of
the gears and worked the shutter a few times, now it works perfectly. Same
operation with the self-timer and that was OK too.
Don't apply any oil until you see what the lighter fluid does, you
probably won't need the oil at all.
Regards, Jonas
>
> If you decide to go this path apply it with a needle. Get the needle
> wet with the oil and let it flow onto the gears. I would really not use
> WD40 as its not simply an oil (its a penetrating solvent) but has other
> compounds that will eventually cause further problems. Try and get a
> very fine pure oil, perhaps from an electronics shop. But you might
> first want to try and clean it with with a solvent such as Ronson
> lighter fluid (carefully and sparingly) or naptha (same approach).
>
> Very often the reason for stiffness in camera gearing is because of
> dirt and old oil. You want to clean it out first. I did this with an
> ancient Miranda the other day and its running like a top now. (Its my
> son's camera and it lives what one might call a busy and difficult
> life, based out of a rucksack) One of the reasons that the WD40 is so
> well loved is that its solvent properties tend to loosen up the muck
> causing a problem but it does not remove it. Its great stuff for
> working on the lawnmower or kids bicycle but I would never put it on a
> camera or in fine electronics.
>
> If you use lighter fluid or naptha as a wash, it should not harm
> electronics or other sensitive camera components. Do it sparingly
> though. I find a can of lighter fluid easy to squirt into the effected
> area without making a larger mess. Then I shake it out rinse again and
> blow dry with a can of air I get from my local photo shop. Sometimes I
> use a bit of fine oil tipped from a needle to lubricate gears after
> that. Work in an well ventilated area so you do not breathe too many
> fumes. These 2 types of products are significantly less harmful than
> many others but none the less they are not good for you either.
>
> Similar products to lighter fluid can be purchased form local
> electronic shops but they are no better and may cost more. Do not use
> gasoline as it may have additives you do not want, nor do you want to
> use oily solvents such as kerosene or turpentine.
>
> Hope this is helpful. Good luck
>
> On Jan 4, 2005, at 11:07, Simon Worby wrote:
>
>>
>> Dean Tyler wrote:
>>
>>> I have an OM-2s with a shutter speed dial that is very difficult to
>> turn.
>>> Can I adjust or lubricate this?
>>
>> I did it with a bit of WD-40. Pros would probably have a fit, but it
>> worked a dream for me. You need to apply it sparingly and very
>> carefully
>> though -- not from the spray can nozzle.
>>
>> Simon
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>
> ________________________
> RT McFetridge
> Ottawa, Canada
> E: rmcfet@xxxxxxxxxx
> E: rmcfet@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Phone: 613 692 4896
>
>
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