I actually had a brand new one, when they came out. It took great photos. After it was stolen from my dorm room in 1971, I replaced it with a lesser priced SLR. That really didn't last, so I took it back. My next camera, was a brand new Canon F1 with a 50mm 1.4 and case. That was in 1972. The Canon cameras were distributed by, Bell and Howell. Then Canon took over their own distribution. I used Canon till 1980. Then I switched to Nikon, as I was then employed by them. I also shot medium format, and 4x5. I loved film. Still do.
Film is a pretty amazing medium. My dad taught me to shoot on film when I was much younger. I migrated to digital when I finally got my own gear but have circled right back round to shooting on film once more. Digital has its place but so does film in my heart.
@@TInyGravitas I totally agree. The other reason, I'm still with film, is money. I want a DSLR, not mirrorless..I just need a body. New. The Nikon D850, was my choice. But it's due for replacement. So, I'll wait to see what's next. I'm not shooting professionally any more, so time is on my side.
I actually bought a minolta ALS last week, it's been a great experience using it so far. I put on a cinestill 400D and did some street photos with it, results are stunning, with a 40mm F1.8 and with ASA of 800, it's definitely the best rangefinder I ever bought.
I’m not a great lover of those styles either. Got 5 SLRs on a shelf waiting for restoration videos to be made but my workspace is currently a building site! Hah. Glad to hear you enjoyed this one though!
Thanks a lot for this! I have a Minolta Repo S with a Broken lever that lets you wind the film as much as you want. Thanks to this, now I know how to put together again the string in the base of the camera!
This videos is very great because it shows details of cleaning. Just be sure to rename it "Minolta" instead of "Monolta" to get the appreciation it deserves.
Hi there! At the 5:42 mark, what piece are you taking out? Its the second piece you remove after taking iff the lid. I am cleaning an al-f and using your video as a guide but i don't see that part in my camera? Thank you!
Great video. I got my Al-F today! Seemingly in nearly mint kondition. But the lightmeter doesn´t work..I changed battery. No (hardly) corrosion in the battery compartment. What was there i removed with a little vinegar on a q-tip. I´ve been told that the Cds-cells eventually die. Would be happy to receive advice or other information on how to awaken the old beauty, which my father once owned.
Hey there! Congratulations on the new camera! Finding one of these in mint condition is fairly impressive and a treasure for sure. The Cds cells can be a bit of a problem at times but there are a number of different reasons they tend to stop working. Sometimes it’s as simple as dirt on the sensor, other times it can be as bad as a dead cell as you say. If there is no movement at all that (to me) would indicate that it’s probably not the cell as from what I’ve heard they deteriorate slowly and so there would usually still be some movement from the meter just not a whole lot. Another possible easy fix is trying the battery both ways up as the manual can be a tad misleading about which way it actually goes in, especially with modern zinc air batteries which can go in either way round pretty easily. If not those it could be a deeper problem.
I'm sorting out a Konica C35 currently and it's the 3rd similar cameras that have had the same problem which might be yours too. Battery compartment looks relatively clean but not underneath. If you did see *some* corrosion in the box make sure you remove it and look beneath to where negative (usually) wire is soldered - corrosion likes to travel up the wire which is much weaker than the contacts themselves. In my cases that solder joint was always hosed. Strip a bit of wire and resolder if you can. Might come right back to life.
Very late to all this but older cameras used mercury based batteries that gave a constant voltage. Modern cells, despite fitting, give a higher voltage initially then fall off over time. There's a work-around to get hearing aid batteries to work however. If it's working but incorrect readings, this is likely the problem. (EDIT: Cells above mean batteries not the photoresistor)
Very relaxing watching this! Did you manage to post the pictures? Did they come out okay? I have one on offer that is quite cheap but in two minds about buying as I already have a Himatic 7! Are the pics sharp and lens perform well with respect to colour reproduction. Thanks
Hi, i was wondering if you could help me. i’ve got a Canon EOS 500 and the rubber grip sort of “flakes”. i’ll be handling it and end up covered in little black bits. Do you know any fixes for this? Thanks.
I use different chemicals for different tasks. Most often for metal parts I’ll use Isopropyl alcohol, which is the same solution I used on the winder. It’s pretty good for metal parts but I’d use it sparingly on plastics if at all. Occasionally if there is something that’s very sticky or if there is sticker residue or glue that needs cleaning off I’ll use lighter fluid as it tends to melt a number of glues quite well.
The yellow glass inside the viewfinder has a hard time overlaying through the viewfinder. It appears very dim. Is there anything I can use to clean or fix it?
I'm so glad I found this vid before going by cleaning it and wrecking it in the process. As I only decided after seeing this to clean the camera internals (bar the dreadful yellow coating) ,I workaround I found around the dim viewfinder years ago is sticking a tiny diamond-shaped piece of sticking paper OUTSIDE the VF, as per the photo below, so that the contrast for the similarly shaped one inside is increased and I can easily focus by finding its shadow aligned with the one inside. (I hope I somehow made this clear, instead of complicating it even more). i.imgur.com/sGCfTLh.jpg
Hi there! The parts are being washed in Isopropyl Alcohol. I use this for any metal parts that need a good scrub and any grease or biologicals removing from them.
I have the same camera with strange problem - my aperture moves in opposite direction! When camera is idle, it's fully open, and when i press shutter, it closes down. Meter works fine, aperture blades also move freely. Only when shown 2.7 they close down fully, and 22 is wide open. Is it possible that aperture blades are put in wrong order inside the lens? Can't think of anything, under the top cover everything seems like in your video.
you know one thing about japanese screw. i'm bout to clean my yashica electro 35 and one of philips screw is so hard to come of, when i twist my screwdriver i see that it didn't rotating, i thought i ruined that screw, but when i check my screw driver, it twisted. indeed that's a cheap set screwdriver but still crazy to me..
Would you please be so kind as to write down in the description the fluids used for each step (assuming there are more than one?). This would make an already great vid even more useful, to us non-initiated into the 'arcane' art of restoration.
I believe it's usually labeled as a lens spanner or lens wrench depending on who you talk to. I know Neewer do one. The one I have is a bit fally apart, but I think there are some good ones out there.
I actually had a brand new one, when they came out. It took great photos. After it was stolen from my dorm room in 1971, I replaced it with a lesser priced SLR. That really didn't last, so I took it back. My next camera, was a brand new Canon F1 with a 50mm 1.4 and case. That was in 1972. The Canon cameras were distributed by, Bell and Howell. Then Canon took over their own distribution. I used Canon till 1980. Then I switched to Nikon, as I was then employed by them. I also shot medium format, and 4x5. I loved film.
Still do.
Film is a pretty amazing medium. My dad taught me to shoot on film when I was much younger. I migrated to digital when I finally got my own gear but have circled right back round to shooting on film once more. Digital has its place but so does film in my heart.
@@TInyGravitas I totally agree.
The other reason, I'm still with film, is money. I want a DSLR, not mirrorless..I just need a body. New. The Nikon D850, was my choice. But it's due for replacement. So, I'll wait to see what's next. I'm not shooting professionally any more, so time is on my side.
I actually bought a minolta ALS last week, it's been a great experience using it so far. I put on a cinestill 400D and did some street photos with it, results are stunning, with a 40mm F1.8 and with ASA of 800, it's definitely the best rangefinder I ever bought.
ah finally a good camera restoration no finding in a forest or something like that great! thumbs up
I’m not a great lover of those styles either. Got 5 SLRs on a shelf waiting for restoration videos to be made but my workspace is currently a building site! Hah. Glad to hear you enjoyed this one though!
Thanks a lot for this! I have a Minolta Repo S with a Broken lever that lets you wind the film as much as you want. Thanks to this, now I know how to put together again the string in the base of the camera!
So glad the video helped!
👏You're doing the Lord's work.
I've got a Konica C35 on the bench today.
😅
This videos is very great because it shows details of cleaning. Just be sure to rename it "Minolta" instead of "Monolta" to get the appreciation it deserves.
How in the heck did I not notice that typo. Thank you so so much.
Thanks for uploading this video. I have a Minolta Al-F and its my first film camera.
They are excellent little film cameras! So good choice!
Hi there! At the 5:42 mark, what piece are you taking out? Its the second piece you remove after taking iff the lid. I am cleaning an al-f and using your video as a guide but i don't see that part in my camera? Thank you!
I see now that it is the.. piston? Of the Shutter release and in my camera it just stayed inside the tube whereas yours, it came out.
Great video. I got my Al-F today! Seemingly in nearly mint kondition. But the lightmeter doesn´t work..I changed battery. No (hardly) corrosion in the battery compartment. What was there i removed with a little vinegar on a q-tip. I´ve been told that the Cds-cells eventually die. Would be happy to receive advice or other information on how to awaken the old beauty, which my father once owned.
Hey there!
Congratulations on the new camera! Finding one of these in mint condition is fairly impressive and a treasure for sure. The Cds cells can be a bit of a problem at times but there are a number of different reasons they tend to stop working. Sometimes it’s as simple as dirt on the sensor, other times it can be as bad as a dead cell as you say. If there is no movement at all that (to me) would indicate that it’s probably not the cell as from what I’ve heard they deteriorate slowly and so there would usually still be some movement from the meter just not a whole lot.
Another possible easy fix is trying the battery both ways up as the manual can be a tad misleading about which way it actually goes in, especially with modern zinc air batteries which can go in either way round pretty easily.
If not those it could be a deeper problem.
Did you ever figure out the solution?
I'm sorting out a Konica C35 currently and it's the 3rd similar cameras that have had the same problem which might be yours too. Battery compartment looks relatively clean but not underneath. If you did see *some* corrosion in the box make sure you remove it and look beneath to where negative (usually) wire is soldered - corrosion likes to travel up the wire which is much weaker than the contacts themselves. In my cases that solder joint was always hosed. Strip a bit of wire and resolder if you can. Might come right back to life.
Very late to all this but older cameras used mercury based batteries that gave a constant voltage. Modern cells, despite fitting, give a higher voltage initially then fall off over time. There's a work-around to get hearing aid batteries to work however. If it's working but incorrect readings, this is likely the problem.
(EDIT: Cells above mean batteries not the photoresistor)
more a deep clean than a restoration....but cool none the less....
Very relaxing watching this! Did you manage to post the pictures? Did they come out okay? I have one on offer that is quite cheap but in two minds about buying as I already have a Himatic 7! Are the pics sharp and lens perform well with respect to colour reproduction. Thanks
Need to adjust mine horizontally and vertically. Do you know which screws to do so ? Thanks
I just picked up a Like New one, put a roll through it with no issues
Products used? For cleaning so well?
Hello, what is the name of the first tool you used?
Hi, i was wondering if you could help me. i’ve got a Canon EOS 500 and the rubber grip sort of “flakes”. i’ll be handling it and end up covered in little black bits. Do you know any fixes for this? Thanks.
Hi I was wondering if you could help me I have an old Minolta camera and I have issues with the aperture any help would be great 👍
What solution are you using to clean the cameras. Also what’s the solution you used to soak the winder?. Thanks
I use different chemicals for different tasks. Most often for metal parts I’ll use Isopropyl alcohol, which is the same solution I used on the winder. It’s pretty good for metal parts but I’d use it sparingly on plastics if at all.
Occasionally if there is something that’s very sticky or if there is sticker residue or glue that needs cleaning off I’ll use lighter fluid as it tends to melt a number of glues quite well.
The yellow glass inside the viewfinder has a hard time overlaying through the viewfinder. It appears very dim. Is there anything I can use to clean or fix it?
I’m afraid not, to the best of my knowledge the less you touch and clean it the better.
I'm so glad I found this vid before going by cleaning it and wrecking it in the process.
As I only decided after seeing this to clean the camera internals (bar the dreadful yellow coating) ,I workaround I found around the dim viewfinder years ago is sticking a tiny diamond-shaped piece of sticking paper OUTSIDE the VF, as per the photo below, so that the contrast for the similarly shaped one inside is increased and I can easily focus by finding its shadow aligned with the one inside. (I hope I somehow made this clear, instead of complicating it even more).
i.imgur.com/sGCfTLh.jpg
At 10:40, what do you use to wach
Hi there! The parts are being washed in Isopropyl Alcohol. I use this for any metal parts that need a good scrub and any grease or biologicals removing from them.
I have the same camera with strange problem - my aperture moves in opposite direction! When camera is idle, it's fully open, and when i press shutter, it closes down. Meter works fine, aperture blades also move freely. Only when shown 2.7 they close down fully, and 22 is wide open. Is it possible that aperture blades are put in wrong order inside the lens? Can't think of anything, under the top cover everything seems like in your video.
What is the thickness of the felt?
Most of the X series from Minolta used felt but later changed to 1.5MM open cell foam so that’s what I’ve used on this one.
What do you use for light seal?
I use sticky backed foam sheets that I cut to size. Usually 1mm or 1.5mm thick is about right depending on the camera.
@TInyGravitas thanks! I'm holding my grandfather's AL-F right now.
I wish you luck on your adventure. They are wonderful cameras when properly looked after :)
you know one thing about japanese screw. i'm bout to clean my yashica electro 35 and one of philips screw is so hard to come of, when i twist my screwdriver i see that it didn't rotating, i thought i ruined that screw, but when i check my screw driver, it twisted. indeed that's a cheap set screwdriver but still crazy to me..
That’s crazy strong. I’ve only ever had a couple of camera screws strip during repairs, but very few. They do make them well!
How much is that if restored? Just an idea please? What's the year model? Thanks
In good condition and fully working this particular type can fetch between £30 and £100 or so. Although it does depend on a lot of factors!
Lovely. Subscribed.
Would you please be so kind as to write down in the description the fluids used for each step (assuming there are more than one?).
This would make an already great vid even more useful, to us non-initiated into the 'arcane' art of restoration.
" Touchy "
1:40 what is the name of this tool?
I believe it's usually labeled as a lens spanner or lens wrench depending on who you talk to. I know Neewer do one. The one I have is a bit fally apart, but I think there are some good ones out there.
The hand of yashica fx7 does not move
What’s with the creepy black gloves, it’s a camera, not a greasy machine!
It’s to protect the camera from me, not the other way around 👌