Greetings -

I've got a Toyo 45AII field camera. The focus locking mechanism does not engage as securely as it should. The problem is somewhat dependent on how much the bed is extended - it seems to hold better with more bellows racked out, as when using a longer lens or focusing closer in, than it does when I'm using a shorter lens and I'm using little extension.

The mechanism is a little lever that, as far as I can tell, simply clamps down on the rail to prevent the focus from changing. I am wondering if this is a user-adjustable function - it seems that if I could just "tighten" the mechanism that would do it. I can not see an obvious way to adjust/tighten the mechanism, short of doing major surgery on the camera.

Does anyone have any experience with this? I'd appreciate any suggestions. It's not a disabling problem, just not convenient as I want to lock things down as completely as possible for shooting stability. I have not really had any problems with the focus shifting inadvertently, just want to be sure to avoid the problem.

It's a fairly new camera - I'm in the USA and it was purchased through Robert White (a very fine dealer!) so trying to do any warranty-related repair is rather cumbersome, considering shipping back to England, etc.

Thanks much...regards, Bill

-- Bill Stone (william.stone@juno.com), February 21, 2002

Answers

I've got a 45A (supposedly the same design as the AII, but different cosmetics). Anyway, the focussing lock is thoroughly tight so you are seeing abnormal behavior. I don't know if there is an adjustment. Suggest you e-mail Robert White and ask him.

-- Charlie Strack (charlie_strack@sti.com), February 21, 2002.

I have not experienced any similar problems with the focus lock on my 45AX. You may want to check out the Toyo forum at http://63.236.31.8/webx?14@193.a4ccaiB5bG6^1@.ee70686

-- Jim Billups (jim@jimbillups.com), February 21, 2002.

Sorry Bill,

I see you already posted that question on the Toyo site :)

-- Jim Billups (jim@jimbillups.com), February 21, 2002.

I bought a used 45A and found lock a little loose. I did adjust it, though as I recall it involved removing the bottom plate - which wasn't too hard, but I think it was glued around the edges (I may eb wrong - I'll have to dig it out and look) - the camera was already a little worn, so that didn't bother me - not sure if I'd do it on a new camera though.

Also, I think it was a fairly coarse adjustment - just a little nut or screw - pretty simple.

Tim A

-- Tim Atherton (tim@kairosphoto.com), February 21, 2002.

I just finished disassembling/cleaning/lubricating/re-assmebling a used Toyo 45A. My front focus lock was a tad loose, too. Tightening that lock is no big deal. You do have to remove the plastic bottom of the camera. There are 3 set screws hidden under the ring of leather that surrounds the tripod screw. You have to carefully pry up the leather ring (it is glued down), then remove the 3 set screws. The rest of the plastic bottom is just held down with rubber cement. Carefully pry it up too. Once you have the bottom cover off, the friction lock adjustment is obvious.

(Don't try this on a Copal shutter, though...)

Doug

-- Douglas Gould (assistdelrey@earthlink.net), February 21, 2002.

Bill, call RW, see if they will happily accomodate you. If yes, just get it fixed with them. You may never need to have to fix it again after that, and the effort will be worth the time.

-- Andre Noble (andrenoble@yahoo.com), February 21, 2002.