Others Gakkenflex : Fun!
Others

Gakkenflex : Fun!

12/11/2009

Finally got my Gakkenflex assembled and ready to go. It was really fun putting the little parts together but not being able to read Japanese (in the instructions) did make me pause a couple of times to look hard before proceeding. Some of the parts/steps were a little confusing (for me). So I decided to note those down and maybe share with everyone here … in case anyone is interested. 😀

All ready to start … after Fitzand goes to bed 😀

The final product … ready to go!

The first thing to note is that the package comes with 3 different types of screws. You can sort them out before proceeding. When you look at the instructions … do note the screws to be used in the diagrams. I’m not sure if using the wrong ones will cause any headache later but then … it’s better to be safe than sorry.

The flat head type

The … ermm … ‘flying saucer’ shape ones

The rounded head type

One thing that got me a little confused was the mirror assembly. You will find a piece of mirror and a piece of white paper of the same size and shape. The white paper is actually a double sided tape. What you need to do is just to first peel off one side of the double sided tape to reveal the stick part. Then stick it on the plastic part (the one below A & B in the diagram). Align it nicely. Now carefully remove the other side of the double sided tape to reveal the other sticky side. Remove the protection sheet from one side of the glass and carefully place the mirror onto the double sided tape. This will hold it in place.

Once that is done, you can peel off the protection sheet from the other side of the mirror that’s facing upwards. You can use some sticky tape to ‘pull up’ the protection sheet (as in the diagram) or be lazy like me … just use your fingernail to remove the sheet. It comes of very easily. 😀 So what got me confused in this step? Hahaha. It didn’t really confuse me but I had a hard time peeling of the backing from the double sided tape because it was so darn thin and I have big fat fingers.

Next is the shutter mechanism. I know some got stuck at this stage but if you look carefully … it is pretty simple. From the diagram, it seems that it is trying to tell us to leave a 1mm gap when installing that screw (below diagram, marked with red arrow). I was wondering why we have to do this …

That was until I came to the next step (below). You need to ensure the part (marked A) is aligned with the part marked B. By tightening/loosening the screw (marked C), you can then make sure the two parts (A & B) are aligned. This is very important as later when you trigger the shutter … part A will push part B to open up the shutter.

There are two springs that look pretty identical but of different sizes in there. If you are confused, just look carefully at them and match them to the diagram. Apart from the sizes, the C-shaped part of the spring for both of them are different.

The other things in setting up the camera is pretty easy. The last thing that you might wanna take note is when installing the ‘flap’ that’s on top of the camera. Sorry I don’t know the exact name of this thingie but it is highlighted in the diagram below. Note the red arrow? You will find a protruding plastic tab on one side of the flap. Make sure that part is located to the rear of the camera … otherwise you will have problem closing the top flaps. If you made a mistake, don’t worry. Just carefully remove the part and redo again.

That’s about all. Not sure if these are of any help at all but … ermm … just sharing a few things that I thought might help. 😀

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683 Comments

  7. Handy guide! Will forward this to the gf. I got it as a gift for her! Are you looking forward to the next magazine?

  8. @Mike : The one with the mini electric guitar? Oh yea! Damn. Looks so cool. Damn. I need $!!!!

  11. @wynth : Are you local (Singapore)? If you are, ThirtySix at Sunshine Plaza has them. New stocks coming in soon. If not … you can try getting it online through their online store at 8storeytree.com

  13. yup i’m local! thanks! I will head down there soon to take a look! 🙂

  14. @wynth : You might wanna check with them about availability before you head down there. I heard the first batch was sold out. 😀

  15. It will be a while before I get mine but this is sure useful, Thanks ndroo.
    By the way, if you have a chance can you show me what it’s like looking through the viewfinder please?
    I want to TTV with it.

    Thank you

  16. @Ta : I’ll try take a couple of pics TTV perhaps during the weekend. The viewfinder is pretty dark so it’s quite hard to see indoors. Hahaha. Could be my old fuzzy eyeballs though. The viewfinder lacks the curvy thingie that makes TTV photos look unique but maybe there will be some cool results too.

  19. no. lol

    the problem is, i dont see how the shutter can be push open with the diagram indicated. both are aligned, A is working fine but the problem comes from B.

    the more i try to figure it out the more confuse i gt. LOL

    Help!

  20. @shunzi : If you look at the diagram, A will push B and then B will swing over and push that little ‘hump’ on that piece of long-ish plate (aka shutter). That’s how the shutter will open & close. Which part are you stuck at?

  21. @ndroo – but the shutter could only ‘open’ by swinging to the left side right? if B are push the hump, shdnt it be swinging to the right instead?

  22. @shunzi : I think part B actually opens up the shutter on its way back to original position (ie. when part B swings back to position). I’ve got mine all assembled and can’t take a look to confirm. Hahaha. I fixed mine in a state of semi-coma last night and can’t remember very clearly. 😛

  23. oh gawd. guess i’m stuck there for now XD.

    maybe i should seek help from 36. demand them for the ‘after-sales-service’ ! ahah

  25. WOOOOO!! saw this and ended up fixing mine until so late.

    useful pointers! helped me out quite abit 🙂

  27. @sumlom : Glad these helped (even just a little bit). Now time to go use the cam. 😀

    @mijonju : Cool. Saw the photos. No b&w mode? Duh! Maybe that will save me some $ then.

  31. @noreen : OMG! Oh damn! Mijonju just told me that the Harinezumi 2 does have the black & white mode! Press OK 3 times and it is there!!!

  34. @Ta : Give us some time. We are looking for one without security guards, alarm & CCTV.

    @noreen : You should be able to get few of these toys with your kidney. Can I have one (the cam, not kidney)?

  35. HEY EVERYONE!!　there is black and white!!! it was my misTAKE!!!
    there is even a black and white video MODE!

  36. By the way, what is the damage for one of this killers? (Just need to know how many banks…………)

  37. @ndroo: the springs i was talking bout.. where it says spring D, you actually put spring C. and spring C you put spring D. if you match the shapes then you’re on the right track (like how you decribed), but if you match with the visual list (they provide on the first page of instructions) then surely get confused, cos the parts dont fit.

    same goes for spring A and spring B.

    (at least that was the problem i had…..)

  44. Ndroo where can I get one of these? It looks like a pretty fun challenge to put together.. .looking forward to see pics from it!

  45. @Nic : You should be able to get them from Japanese bookshops like Kino (if they are available there). Otherwise, maybe you can get in touch with 8storeytree and see if they can bring in some and send them to you. It is big fun putting it all together. I’ve yet to finish my test roll. Hahaha.

  49. I just got mine today. Thanks so much Michel.
    John, Michel(Mijonju) provides great service!

    I can’t wait to assemble it when I get home this evening…

  50. Hey everyone – if you’re in seattle or the NW area of USA, they’ve got a stack of Gakken down at Uwajamya in the I.D. I was gonna buy but, um… need to work a bit more first heh heh….

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