4 replies to this topic

[jxhorton]

My FE2 'was' working fine but recently I have been having an issue with the shutter getting stuck and the mirror being locked in the up position. Judging by the number of YouTube videos I see addressing this problem it seems to be a fairly common issue with the FE2 and FM2.  The common solution is to remove the bottom plate and check the little lever that can get stuck on the rewind cam. I started to get in there to check and found that one of the three little screws that hold the bottom plate in place is refusing to move.  These are very tiny screws and I am afraid to give it too much force.  The problem is knowing what 'too much' is. In other applications I might use pounding, heat, penetrating oils, etc, but I expect any of those methods would do more harm than good, At the very least, I would have stripped out the cross point head on the screw. 

Are there any non-destructive suggestions? Two of the three screws came out very easily, as I expected.

 

thanks,

 

-Jim

[Merco_61]

First of all, make sure that your screwdriver has a JIS tip, not Phillips. Next, soak the screw with a drop or two of acetone, unless your FE2 is black enamel. There is probably some kind of threadlocker there. Applying heat with a soldering iron might work if you don’t want to risk using chemicals.

[jxhorton]

Thanks for the reply, Peter.  Yes, I am using  a JIS cross point screwdriver.  I tried a drop of acetone without any result.  If heat doesn't to the trick, I may just take it in to the shop.

 

-Jim

[tonyzoc]

More than likely any fix you do yourself will be short lived, so you're better of sending it out for a CLA. FM2 and FE2 still fetch a higher price and I can only see it getting higher in the future. Its worth spending $125 +/- for a cla.

Sent from my ONEPLUS A6013 using Tapatalk

[jxhorton]

To follow up, I decided to take my FE2 in for a CLA and got it back today.  They adjusted it, cleaned it and put in new light seals.  The real test will be running a roll of film through it, but I expect it all to be good and ready for another 40 years. 

 

thanks for the feedback and the nudge to just take it in for a proper service.

 

-Jim