ZX-10 shutter problem (probably a motor or somthing but i need insight)

Alexpow · 01-11-2018, 11:14 AM

I started doing small repairs on film cameras about 2 years ago and thought i should start doing more in-depth repairs.

My friend gave me her ZX-10 and told me that all of a sudden it quit working and that it makes a weird buzz/wining sound every time shed half or full press the shutter. I said I'd try and see what happend and so i looked at manuals and innards and what not but i found nothing.

To be exact. Whenever you half or full press the shutter button it makes that sound and sometimes the mirror and shutter blades will move the tiniest bit. After pressing the button about 30 times it clicks and then you can take a picture BUT it doesn't listen to the shutter speed thats set it just stay open about 1/30.

So i dont know whats up. Anyone else know?

6BQ5 · 01-11-2018, 12:49 PM

Here's what I think could be going on.

There's a plastic gear inside the body that turns to cycle the shutter and mirror. Often times that plastic gear breaks and is unable to spin properly. Replacing that gear is possible. I think someone here found a suitable gear made of brass metal. However, the gear is worth more than the camera is many cases. It may be better to simply find a working ZX-10 on eBay or something instead.

I've had a few busted ZX-30 bodies that suffered from this.

D1N0 · 01-11-2018, 01:25 PM

Same thing happened to my ZX-7 I've got three working SFX(n)s though. Butt ugly but they don't break.

stevebrot · 01-11-2018, 04:43 PM

Originally posted by 6BQ5

I've had a few busted ZX-30 bodies that suffered from this.

Theory is that the only ZX/MZ-series bodies that do not suffer from plastic gear issues are those that are going to and those which have a metal gear.* There is an extensive thread on the subject with posts over several years that detail the problem, the fix and options for DIY.

MZ5n mirror blocked, service manual? - PentaxForums.com

Replacement gears have been sourced:

MZ5n mirror blocked, etc., post #92

...and the main thread has a couple sets of instructions on how to do the repair.

Steve

* some models such as the MZ-S were simply made that way and some others have a mixture of plastic and brass.

01-11-2018, 11:14 AM	#1
Alexpow New Member Join Date: Jan 2018 Posts: 1	ZX-10 shutter problem (probably a motor or somthing but i need insight) I started doing small repairs on film cameras about 2 years ago and thought i should start doing more in-depth repairs. My friend gave me her ZX-10 and told me that all of a sudden it quit working and that it makes a weird buzz/wining sound every time shed half or full press the shutter. I said I'd try and see what happend and so i looked at manuals and innards and what not but i found nothing. To be exact. Whenever you half or full press the shutter button it makes that sound and sometimes the mirror and shutter blades will move the tiniest bit. After pressing the button about 30 times it clicks and then you can take a picture BUT it doesn't listen to the shutter speed thats set it just stay open about 1/30. So i dont know whats up. Anyone else know?

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01-11-2018, 12:49 PM	#2
6BQ5 Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Nevada, USA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,348	Here's what I think could be going on. There's a plastic gear inside the body that turns to cycle the shutter and mirror. Often times that plastic gear breaks and is unable to spin properly. Replacing that gear is possible. I think someone here found a suitable gear made of brass metal. However, the gear is worth more than the camera is many cases. It may be better to simply find a working ZX-10 on eBay or something instead. I've had a few busted ZX-30 bodies that suffered from this.

01-11-2018, 01:25 PM	#3
D1N0 Pentaxian Join Date: May 2012 Location: --- Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,802	Same thing happened to my ZX-7 I've got three working SFX(n)s though. Butt ugly but they don't break.

01-11-2018, 04:43 PM	#4
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by 6BQ5 I've had a few busted ZX-30 bodies that suffered from this. Theory is that the only ZX/MZ-series bodies that do not suffer from plastic gear issues are those that are going to and those which have a metal gear.* There is an extensive thread on the subject with posts over several years that detail the problem, the fix and options for DIY. MZ5n mirror blocked, service manual? - PentaxForums.com Replacement gears have been sourced: MZ5n mirror blocked, etc., post #92 ...and the main thread has a couple sets of instructions on how to do the repair. Steve * some models such as the MZ-S were simply made that way and some others have a mixture of plastic and brass.