Minolta XE-5 Notes (22)
Minolta XE-5
Japanese 35mm SLR. Introduced in 1975.
While checking the infinity focus of this XE-5 i discovered that its standard lens (55mm 1:1.7) .did focus quite a bit past Infinity !
So under the auto-collimator infinity focus is perfect around 20 meters on the lens distance scale.
My first thought was a bad lens, but another standard lens from my XD7, a 45mm 1:2, which I knew was perfect did show a similar deviation on the XE-5. Grrrrrrr.................
So, as the lens is ruled out, it must be a problem of the camera itself.
As I have not that much experience with servicing Minolta 35mm SLR's I tried asking on several places if somebody knew more about such deviations and about shimming the bayonet mount of one. Alas without any answer yet :-(
Still no answers after days so I decided to have a look for myself.
According to the XE-1 service manual (pdf, page 42) Shims could have been possible. They are shown in 4 different thicknesses, parts number 054-1081-81 till 054-1081-87.
from 0.02t till 0.1t. Not clear is for me what that "t" stands for but as I did measure the deviation not necessary at the moment.
Needless to say that these part numbers are not available for sale anymore and anywhere :-(
After searching in vain for any professional type of Shims i decided to make DIY ones.
I used a 0.07mm thick copper foil which i still had lying around. It is often used by machine builders to fine tune mechanical things.
A stainless steel type foil would even be better.
I did glue these DIY Shims to the back of the Bayonet Mount with minute amounts of Cyanoacrylate glue.
Warning :
Keep that glue away from optics while it dries as its vapor could settle down on them !!
.
.
.
WARNING :
This image is intended as a reference for the more experienced camera service man. If you have no experience in camera repair please do yourself a favor and send your camera to a professional service shop. It would be a pity to lose a vintage camera in a failed repair attempt !
Minolta XE-5 Notes (22)
Minolta XE-5
Japanese 35mm SLR. Introduced in 1975.
While checking the infinity focus of this XE-5 i discovered that its standard lens (55mm 1:1.7) .did focus quite a bit past Infinity !
So under the auto-collimator infinity focus is perfect around 20 meters on the lens distance scale.
My first thought was a bad lens, but another standard lens from my XD7, a 45mm 1:2, which I knew was perfect did show a similar deviation on the XE-5. Grrrrrrr.................
So, as the lens is ruled out, it must be a problem of the camera itself.
As I have not that much experience with servicing Minolta 35mm SLR's I tried asking on several places if somebody knew more about such deviations and about shimming the bayonet mount of one. Alas without any answer yet :-(
Still no answers after days so I decided to have a look for myself.
According to the XE-1 service manual (pdf, page 42) Shims could have been possible. They are shown in 4 different thicknesses, parts number 054-1081-81 till 054-1081-87.
from 0.02t till 0.1t. Not clear is for me what that "t" stands for but as I did measure the deviation not necessary at the moment.
Needless to say that these part numbers are not available for sale anymore and anywhere :-(
After searching in vain for any professional type of Shims i decided to make DIY ones.
I used a 0.07mm thick copper foil which i still had lying around. It is often used by machine builders to fine tune mechanical things.
A stainless steel type foil would even be better.
I did glue these DIY Shims to the back of the Bayonet Mount with minute amounts of Cyanoacrylate glue.
Warning :
Keep that glue away from optics while it dries as its vapor could settle down on them !!
.
.
.
WARNING :
This image is intended as a reference for the more experienced camera service man. If you have no experience in camera repair please do yourself a favor and send your camera to a professional service shop. It would be a pity to lose a vintage camera in a failed repair attempt !