Hello everyone,
I'm having some beaulieu cameras, with all share the same defect - autoexposure does not work, as soon as I press the shutter, the apertue closes to the samllest aperture, regardless of the light.
Since 3 cameras (2x 4008, 1x 5008) show the same defect, I presume that this is a not so exotic malfunction, and there's some remedy? Perhaps someone here can point me a way how to fix this? I'm believing the 30 year old cds cells don't wotk anymore, but just my theory.
Can this be fixed with standard and available material, including tools and parts, or is it only feasible with special material? I'm not afraid of opening the cameras, and fiddling aroud with it's insides, but of course if it's no use trying.. Unortunately, I cannot simply send it in somewhere, since my budget is very very limited..
The second question is about the internal filter, they're all quite dirty, it seems. is there a way to clean them without damaging, or even replace them with something newer? I guess even for proper cleaning I need to open the camera?
And, last not least - I've read here that colimation of the lens is an issue. Does taking off the lens, e.g. for cleaning, require a new colimation?
Thank you very much for your help!
jean
beaulieu, autoexposure repair & filter cleaning possible
Moderator: Andreas Wideroe
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Bjorn Andersson
- Posts: 130
- Joined: Wed May 08, 2002 9:26 am
- Location: Stockholm, Sweden
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Hi Jean,
It seems like you have some problems with the powersuply to your cameras.
What kind of battery do you use, original or home brew.
If you have original battery and they are "dead", I can change/modify your 4008 250mAh battery to 500mAh, in your old batteryhousing, if it´s possibly to open it without damage it, same for 5008 batterys. 500mAh can be changed to 1Ah cells.
I don´t recommend you to try to make your own repair without having original spares and knowledges. I have seen TO many attempt, which has ended up in a big mess, during my nearly 30 years with service for Beaulieu.
You can´t change or clean the filter, without remove it. The cameras has to be dismantled nearly totaly, this is something you not even shall think about.
If you only remowe the lens for cleaning the shuttermirror, groundglass and rear lens. You don´t have to worry about any collimatorcontrol.
Bjorn Andersson
Beaulieu/Sweden
It seems like you have some problems with the powersuply to your cameras.
What kind of battery do you use, original or home brew.
If you have original battery and they are "dead", I can change/modify your 4008 250mAh battery to 500mAh, in your old batteryhousing, if it´s possibly to open it without damage it, same for 5008 batterys. 500mAh can be changed to 1Ah cells.
I don´t recommend you to try to make your own repair without having original spares and knowledges. I have seen TO many attempt, which has ended up in a big mess, during my nearly 30 years with service for Beaulieu.
You can´t change or clean the filter, without remove it. The cameras has to be dismantled nearly totaly, this is something you not even shall think about.
If you only remowe the lens for cleaning the shuttermirror, groundglass and rear lens. You don´t have to worry about any collimatorcontrol.
Bjorn Andersson
Beaulieu/Sweden
Hi Bjorn,
I've been using a homebrew battery for the 5008, given the huge battery it was no probem to fit fresh aaa cells. I fully charged them, and measured the voltage - everything seems ok, the camera runs fine, bun aperture always closes down to the smallest..
With the 4008, I have one wchich seems to be ok, though I did not use it for filming yet, so I might still be in for a surprise. The other two look horrible, and have dead batteries. I've tried both with the (apparently) working battery from the good one, both run - and close aperture to smallest immediately when in auto mode. That's why my initial guess pointed towards the lightmeter.
Thanks for your advice for not opening the camera, and the impossible filter repair. While I fixed easily some little annoyances in a nizo, I did not want to mess around with a beaulieu without knowing what I'm up to. I was less timid with the battery housings, though
I think you saved me a lot of hassle, and a trashed camera!
Just a last question - what specs must the power supply have for the exposure meter to work properly? Is there a way to test the exposure meter without opening the camera, or risk of damage?
Last not least, thanks a lot for sharing your experience and knowledge here. I really appreciate you supporting us! I felt somehow alone when I ventured into the world of beaulieu, until I discovered this forum. Thanks!!
jean
I've been using a homebrew battery for the 5008, given the huge battery it was no probem to fit fresh aaa cells. I fully charged them, and measured the voltage - everything seems ok, the camera runs fine, bun aperture always closes down to the smallest..
With the 4008, I have one wchich seems to be ok, though I did not use it for filming yet, so I might still be in for a surprise. The other two look horrible, and have dead batteries. I've tried both with the (apparently) working battery from the good one, both run - and close aperture to smallest immediately when in auto mode. That's why my initial guess pointed towards the lightmeter.
Thanks for your advice for not opening the camera, and the impossible filter repair. While I fixed easily some little annoyances in a nizo, I did not want to mess around with a beaulieu without knowing what I'm up to. I was less timid with the battery housings, though
I think you saved me a lot of hassle, and a trashed camera!Just a last question - what specs must the power supply have for the exposure meter to work properly? Is there a way to test the exposure meter without opening the camera, or risk of damage?
Last not least, thanks a lot for sharing your experience and knowledge here. I really appreciate you supporting us! I felt somehow alone when I ventured into the world of beaulieu, until I discovered this forum. Thanks!!
jean