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Post by sevesteen on Mar 4, 2015 19:07:25 GMT -5
I've got an Asahi Pentax S1a with a sticky mirror and diaphragm release lever (not sure that's the right terminology, the gizmo that pushes the pin to stop down the lens during exposure) I've managed to get the mirror down by poking at the linkages, but it pops back up and stays when the shutter is fired. While the foam could use replacement I'm near certain that isn't the cause of the mirror not returning--poking the linkage slightly will move the mirror enough to see that the top edge is free, but if I don't push a bit past that the mirror returns to the up position. It also isn't lens based--the lens that it came with is a Super Lentar preset with no pin, and it does the same without the lens. Additionally the shutter sticks, either the trailing curtain doesn't even begin to close at slow speeds, or it doesn't close completely at higher ones. It does shut properly when I wind it. Not sure I want to tackle shutter issues yet, but I would like to get the mirror to work right just to keep the viewfinder clear when fiddling with the camera.
I've got zero camera repair experience, but I can do some precision work, I taught myself to CLA old mechanical watches when I was collecting those.
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Post by lesdmess on Mar 4, 2015 19:26:55 GMT -5
Your profile doesn't say where in the world you are but if you are in the USA and you want your Pentax back in factory working order than Eric is considered the Pentax guy -> Pentax Camera Service. If you do want to try to repair it, I believe there is a Pentax SV repair manual floating around. If not there is a Spotmatic manual at Roberts Tech Service Manuals. |
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Post by dennis0311 on Mar 4, 2015 19:38:18 GMT -5
I did download a Pentax K1000 repair manual for my Pentax, freeproductmanual.com. Don't know if this could be any help.
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Post by sevesteen on Mar 4, 2015 21:20:02 GMT -5
Your profile doesn't say where in the world you are but if you are in the USA and you want your Pentax back in factory working order than Eric is considered the Pentax guy -> Pentax Camera Service. If you do want to try to repair it, I believe there is a Pentax SV repair manual floating around. If not there is a Spotmatic manual at Roberts Tech Service Manuals. I would be more likely to attempt repair myself. Unless this camera is far more valuable than I think it is, or repair costs far less than I would expect I doubt the costs would be worthwhile for this camera. (That same situation is why I learned to fix watches myself) A Google search led me to a repair of similar symptoms on a Spotmatic, but the parts were considerably different when I took my bottom plate off. |
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Post by philbirch on Mar 5, 2015 14:41:51 GMT -5
Sometimes when the mirror foam is kaput the mirror goes up further than it was intended to do and locks the mechanism. This is the case on old SRT minoltas and could well be the case here. To test it I suggest you put a small piece of rolled up paper in place of the foam and fire the shutter. If the mirror pops down again than thats your cure. You can get the foam easily enough, many companies sell sheets of light proof foam - the seals are likely to be rotten too. Dave (LLoydy) uses 'funky foam'. That appears to work well. At least it works well on the Canon A1 I bought from him.
But with the shutter and aperture pin problems ultimately a repair may cost more than the camera is actually worth, and unless it has a sentimental attachment, you would be better looking for a 'new' one.
Nothing to lose attempting to repair it.
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Post by sevesteen on Mar 5, 2015 19:11:37 GMT -5
I already tried firing with a bit of rolled up lens tissue in the way, still got stuck. Although Eric the Pentax Guy is a lot less expensive than I expected, I think I'm going to hold off on doing anything to it for a bit--I'll practice on something less interesting first before I decide if I do it myself or send it to Eric.
I need the camera equivalent of the one-jewel mechanical watch movements--nearly worthless, but same techniques to CLA as a fine movement.
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Post by dennis0311 on Mar 5, 2015 20:13:53 GMT -5
sevesteen: I would agree to send it to Eric the Pentax Guy. If you paid a good amount for the camera that's what I would do. The mirror would stay up on my Minolta SRT 101. I oiled the gear that controls the mirror with gun oil.
(NOT RECOMMENDED BY SOME) Two or three drops and mine works great. Shot 3 rolls of film no issues so far. Be very careful because you could get oil in the wrong areas. I got my Minolta for cheap so I took the risk. I know this can be a hard judgment call. Also if it has other issues send it out for the CLA.
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Post by dennis0311 on Mar 5, 2015 20:18:28 GMT -5
sevesteen: I have a Pentax K1000 and like you not a camera repair person. I might risk a repair if its simple. Sometimes my shutter button will not spring back up. Also my film advance needs a little help sometimes. After reading about Eric the Pentax Guy I might send mine there for a CLA.
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Post by sevesteen on Mar 11, 2015 20:06:29 GMT -5
The problem seems to be taken care of via Ebay--Picked up an H1a body with a clip on mirror. Visual inspection shows everything appearing to work, and the meter at least moves with an alkaline battery. I've got zinc air batteries on the way.
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