Fujica GER repair...or is that the way it's supposed to work?

[br1078lum]

So I've got this little Fujica GER that I am trying to get the winding mech to quit jamming, and I have no idea as to what the normal operation of this camera is.  I can see what it is doing (after getting the top off and removing the film counter), but don't know if it is doing it because there are no batteries to power things up.

It is a fully automatic shutter/aperture rangefinder, and I would like to be able to shoot it sometime.  But is it worth it?

What is happening is:

1) The Shutter Button presses on a Transfer Bar

2) The Transfer Bar transmits the downward motion to other linkages lower in the camera, actuating the shutter, flash, and what have you.

3) It also is supposed to release the little Red/Green flag arrangement that indicates the film has been wound to the next frame.

4) If the flag arrangement is not released, the winder is then locked up.

It appears that the Transfer Bar is not travelling far enough to release the flag, and I can't tell if this is due to some other lever blocking it.  I tried to 'adjust' the Transfer Bar, but was not successful. 

Is this a common problem with this camera?  Does it need the batteries to operate correctly?

Any help will be highly appreciated, as I cannot locate a repair manual.

PF

[br1078lum]

It's Alive!!!!

I got to thinking (which is done better after getting some sleep, and something to eat), and it occured to me that there was no other action going on lower in the camera when I pressed the shutter release.  So I rigged up a couple of Zinc Oxides (675) to some jumper cables connected to the terminals in the battery well, and that little Fujica makes the sweetest sounds now.  The shutter operates, lights come on and go off, and the transfer bar travels the proper distance now to reset the flag arrangement and winder.

A little window cleaning, some reassembly, and it should be good to go.  All I'll need is to make some adapters for the batteries.

The lesson to be learned from all this is that I need to do a power-up check before tearing down the next camera.  Unless it doesn't take batteries.

Now, if anyone has used this camera, or it's sibling the GE, let me know what you think of the camera in general.  Do you like the fact it is a fully automatic operation?  Is the lens any good?  Have you had any problems with your camera?

I've only seen one other GER on sale, and that was on eBay.  It didn't fetch too much as I recall, but then he had it listed under point-and-shoot, and it is in actuallity a rangefinder.  And there aren't many references to it either, just scattered comments here and there.  But I look forward to shooting it.

PF

[Julio1fer]

Seems you are blazing new trails with that GER!

You probably already know this, but most of these automatic RF cameras can be operated perfectly well by using same-size alkaline batteries (or silver oxide) instead of the intended mercury cell,  and just dialing the ISO down one or two stops.

Many also have an easy adjustment that would allow you to correct exposure for the voltage of other batteries.

I'm not familiar with that model, so I'm sorry but I can't offer any further advice. Please share some pictures of the camera and the results!
 

[LarryD]

Or hearing aid batteries.

[br1078lum]

Julio, I will gladly post the teardown/rebuild after first of the month arrives.  My Flickr account is maxed out this month, so I have to wait till then to put up more photos, and to get the 'Pro' version so I don't have to worry about any limits.

I have a supply of the proper voltage batteries (Zinc Oxide) in 675 and 625 size so I don't have to mess with voltage variances, just have to make sure they aren't too loose in the battery well.

I really like the compact size cameras.  I have four now, not counting the hulk of a Yashica ME that donated a part to it's brother.  I also have a Canon QL-17 that I thought was one of the G III series until it came in the mail, then realised it's as big as my Yashica G's.  But that's okay because they can share filters.

What I would really love to get though is the Yashica GX, but that will have to wait a while.

PF