Fixing Cameras

Last week, on the way to the local Town Fair, I ambled into a garage sale and discovered an Olympus 35 RC and a Sunpak Auto 200 flash, for the total of $5. The camera came complete with manual, spare lens cap and what looks like a spare camera back

The flash is in perfect working order, which is fantastic. However it's appearance in my life came a little late (2 days after the purchase of a Vivitar 283 Thyristor, the classic flash of the 70s and 80s. The Vivitar will still get a work out, though, as it is directional and has a higher level of control.

And so begins my first camera 'fix up' job.
The Olympus needs a little bit of TLC. I'll be ordering a new light seal kit, as the foam is deteriorating (a common issue with a 40 year old camera). Fortunately, kits are easy to come by online and cost around $10AU. The tricky part, comes with ensuring no sticky foam falls onto the lens. Seeings as the camera only cost $3, I won't be too upset if things go pear shaped.

The self timer also jams, which wouldn't be a major concern, except that it seems to find itself jammed without being touched, at inconvient times. Like when you want to take a photo.

I'm also pleased to announce that the Fed 3 arrived today, all seems to be in working order - and I've found an English translated manual, so I can figure out what some of the knobs and buttons do. It smells like the Soviet Union and new leatherette. Relatively unpleasant, but somehow full of adventure, excitement and vokda fuelled mischief.