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Vintage Film Camera Restoration Project

Yaroslav
Employer

Yaroslav

> 10 projects
Project parameters
Type of cooperationOne-time project
Prepaymentwithout prepayment
Payment methodsCash, Bank transfer
Acceptance of requestsfrom until Sep 25, 2026
Project description
Looking for an experienced technician to restore a vintage film camera that has been sitting unused for years. The rangefinder mechanism sticks intermittently and the shutter curtain shows signs of wear along both edges, with pinhole light leaks visible when held up to a bright window. I need the shutter curtain replaced with new cloth or metal blades matched to the original tension specification, plus a full light seal job — all foam seals around the film door, mirror bumper, and pressure plate channel need to be stripped out and replaced with fresh material cut to the correct thickness. The lens should be disassembled for cleaning: there is haze on the rear element and what looks like early fungus growth near the aperture blades, so I want the elements cleaned, the aperture blades degreased and re-lubricated with the right viscosity oil, and the focusing helicoid re-greased so it turns smoothly without grinding. Please also calibrate the rangefinder patch alignment so focus is accurate at both close and infinity distances, and check shutter speed accuracy across the full range with a tester before delivery. Cosmetically, the body has brassing and a few dents on the top plate — I would like a light refinishing pass on the leatherette and metal, nothing that erases the character but restores a clean, presentable finish. Please provide a written breakdown of parts needed, an estimated timeline with milestones for teardown, cleaning, reassembly, and final calibration, and photos at each stage. Prior experience with mechanical film cameras of this era is required, and I would appreciate references or examples of similar completed restorations before we begin.
Project author: Yaroslav

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