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. 😀
@robbie : It doesn’t have to be real tight. Anyway … we’ll continue this on MSN and feedback here if there are any tips that might benefit others.
@robbie : Glad to hear that you’ve got it fixed. For those interested to know … robbie’s problem was the screw (labelled ‘C’) couldn’t be tightened. By adding in a little piece of paper before inserting the screw helped solve the problem. Yay!
@deon: Thanks for the info!
Hey I found the absolute cheapest Gakkenflex purchase to be shipped to the US- got it for a total of $40.00 on ebay- seller Handmadefun.
http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260556516918
Thought people should know.
@Courtney : Thanks for sharing. That’s a pretty good price.
Hello! I hope it’s ok for me to ask… I have a problem with the shutter too :/ I think part labelled A and B connect properly…? The problem is that when B opens to push open the shutter, it gets stuck and doesn’t close. ‘m on (sort of) bulb mode until i release the trigger a little.
Does the shutter screw need to be tightened a lot? No matter how much i try to tighten that screw, it doesn’t go any further. Was this the same problem Robbie had? Any ideas? I’m pretty exhuasted since it’s probably my 4th time trying re-do this… :/ Thanks!
@Tristan : If B pushes the shutter open and gets stuck, there is a possibility that the screw is too tight. Try loosen it a little. As for the screw on the shutter ‘disc/plate’, if it can’t be tightened … maybe you can put a little piece of paper in the hole (where the screw goes in) before inserting the screw. That might help tighten it. If this screw is too loose, it might cause the shutter to not snap back too.
Just called Kino Main store and ordered 2. It’s much cheaper than what’s the other forums are selling and since I am in no hurry to get them, I might as well go for the cheaper and reliable way.
For those interested, please call to make reservation.
Tel: (65) 6737-5021
ISBN:9784056055948
Quote them the ISBN, its easier than pronouncing the mouthful of japanese words.
@hogsforce : Cool to hear that. Yeah Kino’s price is good. ThirtySix sells them at a price not much different from them too. As for those sold in the forums … some are mad! I saw some going for S$99!!! Hahaha! OMG!
Thank you! Yeah, the shutter blade was the problem. It was too loose so i added a little piece of paper and used a blade to cut around the screw. Works perfectly now. I have to say, this probably took me more than 7 hours to fix… Now for some real testing!
@ndroo: exactly! I can get 2 for the same price of 1 they selling. Coincidentally, today Straits Times talking about toycams and stuff.
@Hogsforce. the ISBN number is for Gakkenflex right? They said it belongs to the Japanese books/mag section leh. Wierd.
@Jaks: Yes, it’s a Jap Magazine… 🙂
@Tristan : Congrats on getting it fixed.
@hogsforce : Yeah! I wonder what those guys are thinking by selling them at such a price. I read the Straits Times article. Cool.
Great news all..
They are in stock. Just collected mine from Kino. Saw a few people collecting also.
@hogsforce
So do you mean the Gakken is now instock? How much are they and at which outlet?
@Jaks
yup! 😀
got mine for SGD$53.50 at Kino Main Store
Kino can start an entire section just to sell this cam now. LOL.
Hello. I just got my Gakkenflex. Got a roll of film to test and after one shot, the photo/film counter (you know the indicator) just wouldn’t move even though I tried (very lightly) to turn the upper wheel. Any help for my problem? Thanks in advance!
@Kid : Try pressing the back cover a little while turning the knob. See of the film counter moves. If it still doesn’t … maybe something wasn’t right during installation and … you might need to open it up to check. Since you have film in it … I’d suggest finish shooting the roll first. You can just keep shooting and advancing until you can’t advance it no more (ie. end of the roll).
Okay! Thanks. But how can I know whether the film is ready for an advance shot? Just estimate? Or approximate how long do I need to turn the wheel? And for the counter for a perfect assembled Gakkenflex, does it need to be tight?
Sorry for the long inquiry. 1st time user :>
OH! I tried pushing the back cover while turning the wheel and it works! Thank you so much for your help!! :>
@Kid : There is an indicator near the knob. You will need to first align the lines (on the knob and the one below it), then turn haf a circle every time you want to advance a frame.
@Kid : Cool. If that’s the case, I think I read somewhere that you can try loosen (or is it tighten) the screw at the knob a little. Don’t quote me on that …. because I can’t remember. Hahaha. Mine is behaving that way too … but I haven’t got the time to try fix it.
OKAY! Thanks again!
So 1 frame = half a circle right?
@Kid : Yeah … half a circle.
Okay! Thanks a lot! :>
@Kid : No worries. My pleasure. Have fun.
hihi, sorry abit not related but anyone have assembered gakken mook #planetarium? I am totally struck on the globe part which i do not understand the jap instruction. Anyone can advised?
@Deb : You can drop by ThirtySix and check with Jimmy. I think he has got one of those assembled. 😛 Don’t say that I told you this … or he might kick my butt. 😛
haha thank you!!! i hope he will be willing to help as i dun buy it from there..
Hi,
Where did u buy the Gakkenflex from ? From Kinokuniya ?
@Rachel : Most of us either get it from Kino or ThirtySix.
How much is it ? Is it still selling at Kino ? because I heard this was a january issue.
@Rachel : I think it costs S$50+. Should still be available because I read that some guys bought it from Kino lately. Even if it is not in stock, you can place order with them.
ooo ok thanks gotta head down soon to Kino.;D
Hey do u provide customization service for gakkenflex.. I cant seem to find the materials for customizing…
@Rachel : I’ve yet to finish any customization on this camera. I did try (a little) but it seems my ideas were a little too ‘wild’ and not feasible. Apart from painting it, other customization on it might require quite some effort because most parts are pretty fragile.
Hi. I just went to develop my test roll. Is it normal for only a few images can be successfully developed? For a 36 film roll, I only got 14 pictures.
Is there a problem?
oh ok… by the way i just bought the gakkenflex and hell im having a hard time assembling. The shutter cant work properlyy… I was wondering if I could hand my camera for u to assemble ?? hmmm.. i really dunno and dun wanna end up wasting my money if i cant assemble it successfully,rwarrr
@Rachel : Sorry to hear that. You can pass it to me and I’ll try my best to get it done. Perhaps gimme a night or two … and I’ll see if I can get it working fine. Just SMS me at 98ANDREW to arrange.
@Kid : Sorry for the late reply. I somehow missed your question. What happened to the rest of the photos? Under/over exposed? For such ‘toy’ cameras, you need to have proper lighting (especially when Gakkenflex doesn’t have bulb mode). Screwing up shots is ermmm … nothing surprising if you ain’t too familiar with using it (yet). Look at the surviving shots and roughly base on that kind of lighting the next time you use the camera. If you really need to take shots when lighting ain’t too good … try double exposures.
Your hp is really 98ANDREW ? caps Or lower caps ?
@Rachel : I’ve replied your email. 😉
How to purchase this camera? I’m live in China.
@max : You can get it online from here http://mijonju.ocnk.biz/product/12
@kid: its normal. my first roll got 10over pics. 2nd roll only 3 pics. LOL
mostly were underexposed badly. dont even both trying indoor shots if there’s little lighting. into my 3rd roll and all outdoor shots, yet to develop it though. *keeping fingers crossed*
@ndroo – it’s okay! i think should be underexposed. okay! thanks a lot for the help! 🙂
@hogsforce – woah. okay. it’s kinda like risky right, using the Gakkenflex. i’m gonna buy another roll soon and try it out again. 🙂 thanks too for the comment! appreciate it lots.
Thanks for making a site with these little hints. Would have been totally lost otherwise!!
One question: did anyone else have two screws left over? It seems to work fine, but I’ve got two left.
@Jackzilla : Thanks for dropping by. Those hints & stuffs are just to share with everyone, hoping we can all have more fun and keep film alive. As for the Gakken, I had the same problem! Hahaha! What I did later was try match each and every screw in the diagram with those on the camera. Later on … I realised that I left out two of them. Try doing that and if after matching every one … then it might be a case of them packing extra screws in the packaging.