I open this topic so I can share this experience to others regarding how to restore an old China Made TLR camera. (Or can apply to any other tlr with similiar mechanism)

First of all, I got this camera from a friend of mine as he dont need it anymore. The camera was left for dust for many years. This is a ShangHai 4 TLR produced around 1960s.

This camera takes medium format 120 film in 6x6.

After i checked the camera, i found that this camera was in a very, Very bad condition:


1. both viewing and taking lens are very dirty. the viewing lens front element somehow looked blurry (or fogging???)
2. the viewfinder is very dirty and dark (i hardly saw any images even i point the camera to my TV)
3. the leather cover is missing
4. And, most important of all, the shutter is not working
5. when i shake the camera, i can hear something was loose inside (lolz)
6. the aperture leave seems working
7. the focus dial stuck

OK, first i open the four screw beside the viewfinder. Then i use the computer monitor cleaner and a clean cloth to clean the focus glass.
Now, u should be able to take a look at the mirror. Mine was very dusty.

To clean the mirror, u must be very careful. the mirror is coated with silver on top, DON'T wipe hard with clothes or SPRAY with any cleaning liquid as this might wipe off the coating as well. Carefully wipe with clean tissue of clothes.

After cleaning the viewfinder, saw the back element of viewing lens also got fungus. So i have to open the front cover.

This post has been edited by lizardlim: Jul 31 2014, 10:16 AM

If u want to access the lenses and shutter, u have to open the front cover. Just peel off the front leather, and u will saw 4 screws hidden under it. Since my front leather missing, I straight away unscrew the 4 screw, and unscrew the shutter button ring in reverse clockwise direction:


After that, take the front cover off. Now u will saw the shutter element, and the lens.

HOW TO TAKE OFF THE VIEWING LENS:
Check carefully, under the camera name plate, there is a small screw that locking the lens. Simply unscrew the screw in reverse clockwise, then unscrew the lens in reverse clockwise direction. Here is how it look like:



HOW TO TAKE OFF THE TAKING LENS:
this is easy, just unscrew the lens directly in reverse clockwise. take it out and do any cleaning u need.

This post has been edited by lizardlim: Jul 31 2014, 09:55 AM

After cleaning the view lens, I try to fix the dead shutter.

There is a gold colour copper plate and scres that lock the shutter. In the center of the plate, there is a copper screw ring. Unscrew the ring in reverse clockwise, then u will be able to take out the plate completely.

After checked carefully, I realised the shutter was stucked by the Slow Speed Mechanism (Marked as "A"), another problem is after the shutter is cocked, it won't fires because the "B" part was stucked.



I checked the shutter element, and cant find any other mechanical problems, so I suspect the problem is due to lack of oil. So, I apply a little (Take note, really little, if not the lubricate oil will move into the apperture and shutter leaf, and u will be painful for that. )

And then i try to cock the shutter again.... "CLICK" the shutter finally alive AGAIN!!! YESSS

This post has been edited by lizardlim: Jul 31 2014, 09:43 AM

Next, I try to fix the focus dial problem. I cant found any screws outside, so i peel off the leather again.



Unscrew the 5 screws the hold the plate and u will be able to access the side part of the TLR.





then apply a bit of lubricate oil also.

inside this chamber, i found many weird stuffs probably cause the dial to stuck.
i cleaned all unused rubbish and dust.

This post has been edited by lizardlim: Jul 31 2014, 09:53 AM

Now, the major problem are fiixed.
Its time to calibrate the focus:

VIEWING LENS FOCUS CALIBRATION:
1. set the focus dial to infinity
2. observe the viewfinder, then slowly turn the viewing lens until the infinity images all clear (do not overturn it, adjust till first time the infinity image is focused)

TAKING LENS CALIBRATION:
1. set focus to 1 meter
2. open the film chamber
3. stick a piece of white plastic bag at the film place
4. set the shutter to "B" mode
5. set the apperture to the largest
6. point camera to any 1 meter distance stuffs that a easy to read (Such as TV, monitor... etc)
7. fire and hold the shutter
8. check if the image formed on the plastic is focused or not, if focus successfully, then the focus distance is accurate.

below is how i do it:

After all done, now its time to give my camera a new look.

I bought some leather sticker, then cut out the shape according to the peel-off leather. then simply replace it.
Below is the final outcome:









FINALLY, hope this will help others to CLA or repair their own TLR camera. I will go buy some medium format film and try this beast.

Good job!

thanks fun_feng!　ｗｉｌｌ　ｐｏｓｔ　ｐｈｏｔｏｓ　ｔａｋｅｎ　ｂｙ　ｔｈｉｓ　ｃａｍｅｒａ　ｏｎｃｅ　ｒｅａｄｙ．