Fix Old Cameras: Nikonos O-Ring Maintenance

[@patkeenan7239]

Many thanks for a basic service intro on the magnificient Nik V. I have been using Nikonos underwater for 40 years and now INTERNAL Nikon o rings are extinct, however NBR o rings can be purchased from any industrial seal supplier. I find the task of disassembling the Nik V to replace the internal o rings to daunting to perform. I f you provide a video on this subject I would greatly appreciate it as I intend to keep using these superb underwater cameras well into the future.

[@FixOldCameras]

+pat keenan Thank you for the tip on acquiring useable O-rings for these great cameras. Yes, the internal O-rings, particularly the lens O-Rings are much bigger undertaking.

[@kohutracing]

Great video thanks a lot. How often should i clean o rings? Before every dive?

[@patkeenan7239]

Yes, many thanks -I do have a bag full of NBR o rings - I found the id/od sizes on an Italian website. A company in Melbourne (Camera Clinic) has been servicing my NikV's until recently but they can no longer obtain genuine Nikon o rings - they will not guarantee the work if non-Nikon o rings are used in their service. I will keep your website address on file and perhaps be in touch in the future. I do have a German manual on internal oring servicing, but (unlike yourself) I lack the skills and the patience to try it myself!! Thanks.

[@mrki4937]

Pat, would you mind posting the specs of the o-rings or the URL of the website you found them?

[@davidwebb6635]

What grease do you use for the o rings, can non Nikon supplied o ring grease be used? Thank you for the video!

[@wallydepina]

Hi there! thank you for this video. I save my Nikonos V from death. It leaked sea water through the film advance lever and shutter speed dial joint. When I opened it I discover some rust witch I remove. I noticed there is an O-Ring in that a joint. Do you recommend to change that joint O-Ring, how can I fin it online?. Also the foam that seals the access panel and the one in the corner is degraded. How can I replace it? Thanks in advance. Greetings from Argentina

[@supertramp_film]

this video has been a great help to clean my nikonos! I only have to repair the film advance lever that is stuck. have a video fixing this problem?

[@FSUvinny]

i need to fix this as well. did you have any luck finding out anything about how to do this?

[@supertramp_film]

@@FSUvinny Yes, I fixed it by changing the battery. There is a part in the manual that talks about this problem. Hope this can help you.

[@FSUvinny]

@@supertramp_film changing the batteries? I have brand new batteries in mine though and it's just started sticking/is stuck now. The film advance lever won't budge now.

[@supertramp_film]

@@FSUvinny I don't know, maybe the lock lever button?

[@ivanarnaldomendez]

Thanks for your videos very instructive and easy to watch big hug from Santodomingo

[@FixOldCameras]

Your support and interest in FOC is greatly appreciated.

[@ziggyx27]

I have a Nikonos II camera. Any additional maintenance tips for me? For general dirt/gunk around the camera, do you also recommend isopropyl alcohol?

[@FixOldCameras]

+ziggyx27 Isopropyl alcohol is safe to use. Also after use while the camera is still sealed rinse the camera in clean water.

[@recmy1982]

Hi I have the 50mm FD 1.4 with fungi in the rear element wanting to wipe it went the entire element see a video you mentioned that if we would come out lucky full but in my nesesito case only leave the top ring to clean the fungus between 2 crystals any recommendation Greetings and very good videos !!

[@FixOldCameras]

recmy1982 The rear elements of the Canon 50mm FD 1.4 can be removed without complete disassembly of the lens proper. Be very aware of the order and position of the individual elements. Take pictures and notes for insurance of proper reassembly. Hopefully the fungus is of the type that responds to cleaning.

[@Jasper-kc2vz]

Can you do a video on the ""Pentax MX"" top cover removal please? As I do not want to damage any internal components.

[@FixOldCameras]

Jasper FSX A top cover removal for a Pentax MX could be featured in a Fix Old Camera Video. Thank you for your suggestion and comments.

[@the75way]

Hi, would you possibly have the correct dimensions and sizing if one had to get the o-rings made at a local shop that makes o-rings? Or are only the nikon ones prescribed. I live in South Africa and there is nowhere nearby that services o-rings. Many thanks

[@FixOldCameras]

If you have a local shop that sells O-rings take the old ones in and match them. Be sure you get the proper hardness and flexibility. The size for Nikonos II body O-ring O-ring standard size #223 of BNR (buna-n black rubber) The size of O-ring for Nikonos lens O-ring standard size #224 of BNR (buna-n black rubber) . Measures of 7 Nikonos O-rings Internal measurement (mm) - Thickness measurement (mm) 2.4mm Internal - 1.9mm Thickness 4.9mm Internal - 1.9mm Thickness 9.92mm Internal - 2.62mm Thickness 4.2mm Internal - 1.9mm Thickness 9.25mm Internal - 1.78mm Thickness 2 each - 3.69mm Internal - 1.78mm Thickness

[@mrki4937]

It would be great if someone could say anything about the hardness. The standard hardness is 70, but the 9.9mm 2.62mm is only available in 90. Also I look for NBR as the proper material.

[@douggottlieb]

Great video! Really useful. Thank you!

[@FixOldCameras]

Thank you for you interest in FOC.

[@LH00Q]

Any advice if the lens focus or aperture have some hesitation or grabbing? One of my lenses does.

[@FixOldCameras]

+L.H.O.O.Q. If you are referring to a Nikonos lens then you could have a misshapen o-ring that is causing the added friction.

[@LH00Q]

+Fix Old Cameras it is a Nikonos 80mm. Thanks for the tip.

[@andrewnapthen7921]

Thanks for what you do!

[@FixOldCameras]

You are welcome.

[@Coconut7403]

Any advice if the foam is breaking down? Thanks!

[@FixOldCameras]

If a seal or o-ring is bad it will need to be replaced.

[@chamalupulitha162]

Thank you for nice videos. Very informative. Do you know how to fix stucked self timer lever in Canonet QL17 and Mamiya Ruby camera. I have both and both did worked for a while and apparently self timer lever got their shutters stuck. I can wind and press the shutter release and hear a sound but the shutter wont actually open. If you can sir, please show me How you fix this? I watched your copal leaf shutter video but the design is different in both cameras and also I want to know how to remove the lenses from both camera bodies too.(if that is nessesary for the repair) Thank you sir for these wonderful videos. I have an old camera collection and I usually fix small troubles myself. I really appreciate the work you are doing. Helps people like us a lot...!!!

[@FixOldCameras]

Chamal Upulitha The self timer is buried in the lens assembly unit and requires a fair amount of disassembly to access it. The blades could also be stuck together from oil that migrated on to them.

[@chamalupulitha162]

Fix Old Cameras Thank you for the reply sir. I started disassembling the front lens elements in Canon QL19 and got the self timer lever unstuck. You are right, its a lot of work. But I was very careful and everything worked well. As it appears now both the shutter and apperture blades are the real problem. They are stuck. I managed to manually open the shutter by rotating the round lever around the shutter and worked two or three times then gets stuck again. I hear this is a common problem in canonet QL cameras. I read about a blog post removing the sticky oil by spraying the aperture and shutter blades with a solvent, which can be done once all the lens elements are removed. There were two lens elements in the back of the camera and I removed the outer one easily. But I can't remove the other lens element from the back because the lens ring diameter is exactly same as the film chamber diameter. I can turn that ring back and forth a little but can't unscrew totally as it hits the chamber walls. I was very surprised by that fact. Looks like I have to remove the entire front lens assembly from the body. Could it even be done? I don't know the procedure to do it. Even though I could clean the shutter I can't get to the aperture and I don't think its a good idea to spray or pour anything with a lens element. :-(

[@FixOldCameras]

Flush cleaning oily shutter blades is not ideal but often times an acceptable procedure to free the blades. The glass needs to removed for if the solvent gets between the lens groups it will be trapped and leave a residue. You might be able to work the lens group retainer out with the tip of a small slotted screwdriver. It not, the lens assembly is attached to a plate that is in turn attached to the body of the camera. The top cover will need to be removed. The front leatherette will need to be peeled back. The bottom cover will need to be removed. Be mindful of the linkages connecting the rangefinder, the shutter wind mechanism and the shutter release mechanism when the lens mount plate is removed. Good luck, your persistence is admirable. If you chose to flush clean the blades the following link is a good product. It is featured in several Fix Old Cameras videos. astore.amazon.com/fixoldcam-20/detail/B001OLVB34

[@louisvansteenkiste4962]

Can you open up a Hasselblad back?

[@FixOldCameras]

Louis Vansteenkiste The plate that covers the counter end of a Hasselblad film back can be removed. The screws that hold the plate in place are hiding underneath the leatherette.

[@louisvansteenkiste4962]

Just make more videos about everything! Love your work, man!

[@FixOldCameras]

We thank you for your encouragement.

[@kellengewecke4367]

what if the o ring is nicked?

[@mrki4937]

replace it, if you want prevent flooding of your camera. But if you don't take it underwater, it can stay inside, even during a rainshower.

[@bombousboy]

Thank you

[@patkeenan7239]

If you operate a camera servicing business I would gladly send my Nik V's to you for the dreaded internal o ring service, Many thanks. (I currently live in Perth, Western Australia).

[@FixOldCameras]

+pat keenan Well... that is a bit funny. According to Google, my shop is 1000 miles from the Gulf of Mexico and 1500 miles from the Pacific or the Atlantic Ocean. But with that said for future reference the shop information can be found at www.phototronic.biz With the corral reefs and ship wrecks in your neighbor hood, surely there are some local camera repair shops that would help you with the Nikonos - V internal O-rings. There are seven internal o-rings with the following groups of numbers being very close to the dimensions. The first number of the group is the internal size in millimeters the second is the thickness in millimeters. (2.4 - 1.9) (4.9 - 1.9) (9.92 - 2.62) (4.2 - 1.9) (9.25 - 1.78) 2 each - (3.7 - 1.78)

[@mrki4937]

@@FixOldCameras Since there seems to be no camera repair shop operational anymore, which is maintaining the Nikonos V, it would great if you could make a video about the replacement of the internal seals.