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. 😀
@Erik : Thanks for sharing the info. I’m sure that’s great news for those living in the US.
I bought one of these on ebay yesterday (I got the last one, sorry) and the seller sent me a message containing a video link that shoes clearly how to assemble the shutter.
Heres the link for those that need it
http://otonanokagaku.net/magazine/vol25/mov_make.html
Good Luck
Anyone knows how to advance the film for the the Gakkenflex?
@Ta : Turn the knob 180 degrees to advance a single frame. There is some mark on the ring surrounding the knob, and you can use that as an indicator.
@Eric : Congrats! 😉
Thank you ndroo
Where can i get one of these?
(Bearing in mind im in England :D)
@Joe http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=150387731811&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT#ht_2381wt_939
@John
Thanks! Ive been wantingone for ages.
You’ve made my day
@Joe glad to help , tell me how it goes , I am hoping to buy one myself , when I have the pennies .
i got my Gakkenflex! thanks for your english version guide.
@summerson1124 : Congrats on your Gakkenflex. Glad the guide was of help.
Where can i get the gakken? How much in S$ ar? Damn poison lah,seems cooler than BBF leh.
@jaks : I think it costs about S$56 from ThirtySix at Sunshine Plaza.
Hi ndroo!
Thanks for these details – I don’t know if I’m the only one, but it seems I have a mildly faulty B-part. When I slot the B-part into the ‘spool’, it seems to fit wayy too snugly and it’s not springing back properly because the part fits the spool too well – trying to rotate the thing takes a bit of effort and this is all without the screw even in! Do you happen to know what I could do?
Not sure if that makes sense (I hope it does) – I’m going to be so gutted if the shutter doesn’t work correctly. Everything else I’m fine with, but the fact that B-part isn’t springing back is making me worry!
@Maggie : How about trying to sandpaper (with fine ones) a little bit on the spool? It could be holding on too tight and thus restricting the movement? Guess you try sandpaper it a bit at a time until everything moves smoothly. Don’t worry … I’m sure it can be solved.
Hi, if I turn the advance know a full circle, am I skipping a frame? Should I only turn it a half circle to advance to the next frame?
Ooops! That should be “knob” not “know”
@David : Sorry for the late reply. I’ve just came back from a short trip. You need to turn the knob half a circle to advance to the next frame.
Help!!
I cant get the shutter working, it just half opens and then shuts when I release the shutter button. I’ve tried without the screw and with the screw in tight and it makes no difference….
@Rob : Don’t panic. Haha. Does the part A push part B all the way until the shutter opens … or does it snap back halfway thru?
@Rob : Make sure the A and B are aligned. Otherwise they might lose ‘contact’ midway.
Problem solved, I needed to streatch the spring holding the shutter blade out a little, I did this by accident, but it was a nice suprse when it worked 🙂 Works perfectly now 🙂
Thanks for the help anyway 😀
@Rob : Congrats! Hahaha! Time to go out shooting. Talking about that … I’ve yet to even finish my first roll on the Gakkenflex! Haha!
Okay, I’m nt sure if anyone has this problem,
But like you know the piece of plastic you fit into the first “cover” on top of the cam, isn’t it like.. a way bit too tinted for anything to be seen??!?
@v : It should be correct. It is not like the Blackbird, Fly where everything is clear. The focusing screen is matt and you’ve to put your eye near to be able to see the view.
Hehe, okay, thank you 🙂 I spent like 5 mins trying to peel off something from the plastic >< OOPS!
@v : Phew. Glad you didn’t rip out anything. LOL
thanks for guiding me thur this. managed to get it done thru some trial and error
hi there!
this is my first time using a TLR and i am totally lost at what to do.. the gakkenflex is assembled (shutter working perfectly and all), im using fujifilm xtra 400.. how do i know whether a picture has been taken? i tried snapping photos, advancing the film, then unlatching the hook at the back of the camera to view the film, but nothing appears? am i supposed to send it to be developed before i could actually see anything? sorry for the funny questions.. i really appreciate some help here.. thanks!!!
@deon : I hope you are just joking. Really. Oh please do not open the camera back before you finish shooting the roll (and rewinding it)!!! You will cause the film to be exposed and then you won’t get anything (on those frames where you opened the back). Stop. Don’t do that. You need to know about shooting with film aka analogue photography before you attempt to shoot with the Gakkenflex. Unlike digital cameras, there is no way you can preview the photos until you get the roll of film developed at the lab. It is not only for TLRs but for all film cameras. If you want instant results, you will have to look into Instax cameras instead.
OMG. no, i wasn’t joking. =(
this is the first time in my entire seventeen years of life i am trying out a film camera.
i bought the book 4 days ago from kino, struggled for 4 hours, totally damaged one of the springs connected to the shutter flap (attempted to twist it back with pliers but it broke instead), threw the “cloudy screen paper” away (thinking it was the ‘protection sheet of the mirror’)……. and bought another set from kino again.
i feel like an idiot after seeing your reply at what i just screwed up (again). T_______T
i don’t think anyone would actually do what i have done.. AHHHHH~~~!
but, i will not give up!
thank you so much for your instantaneous replies ndroo!! =D
Hey, I had one of this, haven’t start building it yet, but i was wondering not of the building part, but loading the film..
I can’t read japanese, and so far i know is that each frame you shoot, you got to wind the film till the film indicator turns half way or 180 degrees. I guess that’s pretty clear..
but what about loading the film?? Should i hook the film on the spool right at the 1st sprocket holes at the side of the film?? or what? then after loading the film into the spool, i’m suppose to close back the back cover, then, Should i start shooting? or do i have to wind the spool for some rounds again before starting to shoot??
@deon : OMG! Looks like you’ve spent a bomb on the 2 cams! Don’t worry. Have you finished the entire roll? Otherwise, just advance a couple of frames and continue shooting. At least the remaining ones won’t be screwed. So what did you do to the damaged camera? If you are thinking of throwing it away, maybe you can sell it to me for a little bit of $. I’d love to salvage parts for some experiments in the future. Anyway … you can read up more about these film stuffs before you waste more $ on film. Really.
@Sam : Once you ‘hook’ the film to the spool, you have to turn it a couple of rounds before you can start taking photos. The begining part (film leader) ain’t supposed to be exposed … well it is actually exposed (read : gone case) while you were loading it into the cam. So perhaps you can turn a full round (360 degrees) before you start shooting.
@ndroo: not yet.. i’d advance the film and continue shooting! =) yeh, about $95 for two after 10% membership discount from kino.. saw someone selling it (still available) at clubsnap for $99, so that’s a little bit of consolation for me, hahaha. my friend intends to fix the other camera, (he claims the spring can be bought, and to replace the thrown-away “cloudy screen paper” with tracing paper and some plastic thingy.. hopefully? do you think that’ll work?
@deon : The S$99 one is way too expensive. Madness. Yeah I think the spring can be quite easily replaced. As for the matt sheet, you can try the tracing paper method. Might work fine.
i just built this camera…but I am wondering if anyone have the same problem as me or can answer my question. My top board (the one which that matte plastic fits) doesnt seem to fit onto the top of the camera. I am not sure if i am meant to force it in or there is a problem with my camera.
@mag : If I remember correctly, you have to carefully slide it in and not force it … otherwise it might break. Try look carefully and you might be able to see how it can fit nicely.
@ndroo: i tried, but it seems that theres a little problem with the fitting. But due to the reflector in the inside of the camera, i guess it won;t affect the film.
@mag : So now are you able to place the piece of thing in fine? Try focusing and see if it does work. If it does, most probably it won’t affect the results.
@ndroo: the back of that part (the part which link to that lock) is ok, but the front is sitting loosely on the top of the camera which give a gap between the camera and the part, but focusing is alright.
@deon: is it still available at kino? which outlet did you go to? thanks! really interested in the camera!
@deon: no time to fix the gakkenflex yet.. =(
@noow: liang court.
not sure if there’s still stocks left, you could call to enquire.
the number is 63371300 for liang court, 67375021 for ngee ann.
anyways, kino (ngee ann) has the 大人の科学マガジン Vol.09 Planetarium Kit if it interests anyone here.
i finished assembling mine and it’s pretty awesome.
link is http://kinokuniyacbjbpromotions.blogspot.com/2010/01/vol09-planetarium-kit-available-at.html
@deon : Thanks for the info
Hi,
i just assembled my gakkenflex, but i doubt i did the shutter part correcty since i can’t hear click sound
when i press the shutter but it springs back, just no click sound, how would i know if it’s working right?
please help, hope to hear from you asap.
@robbie : Did you test out the shutter part before you covered the camera (full assembly)? You should do that and from there, you can see if the shutter does open. The click isn’t that loud, so you should try checking if the shutter opens (since you said that it springs back). Open the back of the camera, point the camera at some bright light, press the shutter button. Look from the back (where the shutter is). Is there a quick flash of light coming in? Ermm … not really a flash of light, but when you press the shutter, you should be able to see the shutter opening & closing (real fast) from the back (with the back cover open).
i’m re-assembling it now, do you have a ym account?
@robbie : Nope. You can add me to MSN Messenger though. Add ndrooATpacific.net.sg (replace AT with @)
the screw C can’t be tightened no matter how hard i try to push and screw with the screw driver, maybe it has something to do with A and B not pushing and pulling each other back correctly, is there something i can do to correct this?
🙁 🙁 ;(