Vivitar v3800n Camera Frame Counter Replacement

Introduction

Over time the frame counter in the camera will become loose. When this happens the user will not be able to tell what frame they are on when taking photographs. This leads to wasting film or ripping the film off the canister. This guide will show how to adhere a loose frame counter so the user can go back to shooting photographs.

Tools

• Super Glue (1)
• Phillips #00 Screwdriver (1)
• 2.5 mm Flathead Screwdriver (1)

Step 1: Frame Counter Preparation

Image Description: A Vivitar v3800n camera is shown. Then, close-ups of the camera's top and back, highlighting screw locations with red circles, and showing screwdrivers being used.

• Unscrew the front screws on the camera with a Philips screwdriver.
• Unscrew the back screws on the camera with a Philips screwdriver.

Step 2: Film Advance Lever Removal

Image Description: Close-up of the film advance lever area, showing a screw being removed with a Philips screwdriver. The back of the camera with the plastic cover partially removed, revealing a metal lever. The plastic cover removed.

• Remove the film advance lever by unscrewing the bottom screw with a Philips screwdriver.
• Remove the plastic cover to uncover the metal lever.

Step 3: Metal Lever Component Removal

Image Description: Close-up of the film advance lever mechanism, showing a flathead screwdriver being used to remove a screw.

• Remove the screw holding the metal component of the lever with a flathead screwdriver.
• Once the screw has been taken off, remove the metal lever.
• [Information] This is a reverse threaded screw. Twist clockwise to remove it.

Step 4: Speed Dial Removal

Image Description: Close-up of the speed dial area on the camera, with a red circle highlighting the dial. A flathead screwdriver being inserted into a notch on the speed dial. The speed dial being removed by hand.

• Set the speed dial to Bulb mode and the ISO to the lowest setting before taking it off. This makes sure you are at the correct settings when it is placed back together.
• Carefully put a flathead screwdriver into a notch in the middle of the dial on the center piece and turn it counter-clockwise.
• Once loosened, remove the speed dial with your hands.
• [Information] Be careful when removing the speed dial! There are several small parts that may fall out.

Step 5: Film Rewind Crank Removal

Image Description: The camera back is open. A screwdriver is inserted into the film rewind crank notch. The crank is being turned counter-clockwise.

• Open the camera back by pulling up on the film rewind crank.
• Once open, push the rewind crank back down and insert a screwdriver into the notch.
• With one hand holding the screwdriver in the notch, wind the crank counter-clockwise to remove it.

Step 6: Washer Removal

Image Description: Close-up of the camera's bottom, showing a flathead screwdriver removing a washer near the film advance lever. A washer being removed from underneath the film advance lever.

• With a flathead screwdriver, twist the metal washer counter-clockwise to remove it.
• Remove the washer underneath the advance lever in the same way.
• [Information] Keep these pieces separate. They look similar but are not interchangeable.

Step 7: Top Cover and Eyepiece Removal

Image Description: The camera body with the top cover removed, showing internal components. Close-up of the top internal area, showing the shutter release button and viewfinder eyepiece components. The shutter release button and viewfinder eyepiece components removed.

• Remove top of camera.
• Set aside the shutter release button and the viewfinder eyepiece.
• [Information] The shutter release button and the viewfinder eyepiece are loose so they may fall out during removal.

Step 8: Frame Counter Replacement

Image Description: Close-up of the area where the frame counter is located, showing the loose frame counter. Applying glue to the mounting area with a toothpick. The frame counter being placed back into position, aligning with a notch.

• Remove the loose frame counter.
• Apply a small amount of glue to the area and wait approximately 5 minutes for it to dry.
• Put the frame counter back into place, lining up "26" to the indicated notch.
• [Tip] Use a toothpick to apply the glue to ensure you don't glue down any moving parts.

Step 9: Reinstall Shutter Release and Viewfinder

Image Description: The shutter release button components being placed back into the camera body. The viewfinder eyepiece being slid back into place.

• Place the shutter release button pieces into the indicated spot. The larger piece goes in first, then the smaller piece fits into that one.
• Put the view finder back into place by sliding it in as shown.

Step 10: Reattach Top Cover

Image Description: The camera body being turned upside down, with the top cover ready to be placed back on. The top cover being placed onto the camera body.

• Turn the camera upside down and place the top back on.
• [Information] Make sure wires do not get crushed between parts.

Step 11: Secure Top Cover

Image Description: The back of the camera with screws being inserted using a Philips screwdriver. The front of the camera with screws being inserted using a Philips screwdriver.

• Screw in two screws on the back of the camera.
• Screw in the other two screws on the front of the camera.

Step 12: Shutter Speed Dial Reassembly (Part 1)

Image Description: The disassembled parts of the shutter speed dial laid out. Holding the dial components together with a finger while assembling. Placing the spring into the dial. Placing the lens load indicator on top of the spring.

• Reassemble the 5 pieces of the shutter speed dial.
• [Information] Hold the rest of the dial together with your finger while performing these steps.
• Place the spring into the dial.
• Place the lens load indicator on top of the spring.

Step 13: Shutter Speed Dial Reassembly (Part 2)

Image Description: The assembled dial components from Step 12. Placing the top of the speed dial onto the lens load indicator. Placing the gold piece into its designated area.

• [Information] Refer to the first image in Step 12.
• Place the top of the speed dial onto the lens load indicator.
• Place the gold piece into the indicated area.

Step 14: Reattach Shutter Speed Dial

Image Description: The assembled speed dial with spring compressed, ready to be placed on the camera. The speed dial being placed onto the camera body. A flathead screwdriver being used to tighten the dial.

• Keeping the spring compressed, carefully place the dial on top of the camera that matches the settings you set during step 4.
• [Information] Make sure all the pieces stay together!
• Tighten the dial by placing a flathead screwdriver into the notch and turning clockwise.

Step 15: Reattach Film Rewind Crank

Image Description: A washer being placed underneath the film rewind crank. A flathead screwdriver being used to tighten the washer. The camera back opened, with a screwdriver in the rewind crank notch. The rewind crank being placed onto the peg and turned clockwise.

• Place the correct washer back underneath the rewind crank and tighten with a flathead screwdriver.
• Open the back of the camera and place the screwdriver into the notch.
• With one hand holding the screwdriver, place the rewind crank onto the peg and turn clockwise until tight.

Step 16: Reattach Film Advance Lever

Image Description: A washer being placed underneath the advance lever. A flathead screwdriver tightening the washer. The advance lever being placed on top of the washer and screwed in.

• Place the washer on the spot underneath the advance lever and tighten with a flathead screwdriver.
• Place the advance lever on top of the washer and screw it into place using the flathead screwdriver until tight.
• [Information] This is the reverse threaded screw mentioned earlier.

Step 17: Final Reassembly

Image Description: The plastic cover being placed onto the advance lever. A Philips screwdriver being used to secure the plastic cover.

• Place the plastic cover onto the advance lever and use a Philips screwdriver to place it together.

You're done! Go take some great photos!