How to access the socket on a Bolex EBM?

[Kevin Roy]

Hi all,

I'm trying to figure out how difficult it is to access the socket on a Bolex EBM, and I'm hoping someone with hands-on experience can guide me through it. Hopefully access is pretty obvious, so far it's not proving to be. I have a modest level of mechanical aptitude, comfortable with basic disassembly and careful work. 

My goal is fairly simple: I just want to get in there to check the socket and tighten it in the housing. It's loose and I suspect the strain of pretty heavy use of the external battery connector may have broken a wire. But it does need tightening for certain. It seems like there ought to be a straightforward way to do this without an elaborate teardown. Is there a simple access procedure that doesn't require going too deep into the camera?

Any guidance — step-by-step tips, things to watch out for, or tools needed — would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

[Dom Jaeger]

1 hour ago, Kevin Roy said:

It seems like there ought to be a straightforward way to do this without an elaborate teardown. Is there a simple access procedure that doesn't require going too deep into the camera?

Unfortunately no, it’s not straightforward. To access the back of that connector requires removal of the mechanism. Which means removing the viewfinder and the front, and desoldering all the wires under the control plate. Then removing the mechanism.
On reassembly you need to remake the light seal around the front and around the compartment, and you may need to slightly readjust the front prism in the viewfinder tube to align the masks. 

 

[Kevin Roy]

OK. Good to know. Thank you, Dom.

Then I suppose the next obvious question is, are there recommendations for a tech who can deliver timely work to high standards, in the U.S.? And I a proponent of "while you're in there, might as well." Power updates, upgrades etc. In my research I'm seeing some interesting V-Mount battery options. The Bescor battery rig with the On/Off switch is functional but kind of a PITA. And I'm sure it's never been serviced, either.    

Please feel free to message me with cautions and concerns as well.