How to Disassemble a Super 8 Camera
Disassembling a Super 8mm can be fun, informative, and most of all it can save you time and money. With old Super 8mm cameras gathering dust in attics and thrift stores all around the world, now is the perfect time to learn basic maintenance and save yourself thousands of dollars worth of camera repairs. Disassembling a Super 8mm camera is not dangerous or impossible, but you must be very careful to ensure you don't hurt your camera and can reassemble your parts into a working camera.
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Things You'll Need
- Phillips screwdriver
- Flat-head screwdriver
- Jewelers screwdrivers
- Needle-nose pliers
- Canned air
- Wire cutters
- Jars or cups to organize small pieces
Instructions
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Remove Body
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1
Using your screwdrivers, carefully unscrew the screws holding the camera frame together and remove the main body of the camera. Place the screws in one of your cups or jars and use paper to note they are the body screws so you can reassemble the camera afterward. Clean the body of any excess dirt or dust and set aside.
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2
Open the lens housing using your smaller set of jewelers screwdrivers. The lens elements are very delicate, so be as gentle as possible. Again, put all of these screws in a separate, labeled container
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3
Remove batteries from the battery compartment. Unscrew any remaining screws or bolts that are holding the battery compartment to the body of the camera. Follow the wires from the battery compartment to the camera motor and remove them by unscrewing their connections.
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4
Disassemble the film transport mechanism. This is a series of gears and bearings connected to the motor and usually located behind the lens. Using your jewelers screwdrivers, remove the gears one by one, placing them into another separate and labeled container.
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5
To remove the motor, find it in the handle or base of the camera and remove it using the appropriate-sized screwdriver. Locate any additional wires running from the motor and disconnect them before removing the motor.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Keep your workspace as organized as possible to ensure you know where all parts are if you are trying to reassemble your camera.
Use your canned air liberally. It works wonders cleaning those very small, hard-to-reach spots.
Never cut a wire or use force to remove a piece. This may permanently damage your camera.
Scratching the lens elements will ruin your camera, so be careful.
References
- Photo Credit bell howell image by Rich Johnson from Fotolia.com
