Spotmatic ES11....Problem?

**pickles** · 02-11-2012, 06:10 PM

Bought a pristine black ES11 on Ebay some time ago, didn't use it for a while, then put 4 new SR44 batteries in it, & took a 24 exp film with it...all worked well....exposure & focus was perfect.
Then, put another film in, & over a period of a few months, took another dozen shots.....everything seemed to be working OK....until a few days ago, when the exposure "needle" wouldn't move, & also when pressing the battery tester, the needle didn't move either.
The batteries have probably been in the camera for nearly a year, but like I said, during that time, it's only taken around 36 shots.....so are there any opinions about what has gone wrong?
Couldn't get SR44 batteries yesterday, but some have been ordered for me, and when I get 'em I'll put them in & see what happens.
In the meantime though, surely the batteries wouldn't go flat just by simply sitting in the camera would they.....unless there was a "short" or something?
I'm not worried about sending it to Eric for a CLA, but obviously don't want to send it, if I don't need to!
All was working well......until the meter just....stopped working!
So guys, what do you think?
Cheers, Pickles.

redrockcoulee · 02-11-2012, 06:43 PM

If I remember correctly back to my Spotmatic days those batteries last about one year. Do you have a multimeter or battery tester?

**pickles** · 02-11-2012, 08:04 PM

Originally posted by redrockcoulee

If I remember correctly back to my Spotmatic days those batteries last about one year. Do you have a multimeter or battery tester?

No I don't.
Yes, you're right about the "one year", but surely that would be normal usage with multiple films etc.....I've only put a film & a half through it!?
Cheers, Pickles.

p. rex · 02-11-2012, 10:47 PM

Sounds strange. Mine did the exact same thing after I let it sit for a while -- I put new batteries in, to no effect. A trip to Eric fixed the problem -- the invoice said "Repaired electronics, auto timing circuit and auto speeds." So, not sure exactly what's up, but if new batteries don't fix it, it's probably something wrong in the electronics.

If you haven't dealt with Eric before, don't hesitate to do so -- he really is that good. When I sent him my ESII, it was dirty and tired-looking, with a dusty finder, dirty mirror, and decaying seals. Now it's damn near perfect. For the ultimate screw-mount Pentax, I think it's worth it.

noblepa · 02-12-2012, 01:20 PM

I haven't looked at my ES-II in a while and I don't remember if it is one that has an on/off meter switch or not. I think it is like the Spotmatic F in that respect. The meter is always on.

Because of this, a lens cap is imperative. That is the only way to turn the meter off, short of removing the batteries.

Did you store the camera with a lens cap or body cap? If not, this will drain the battery.

p. rex · 02-12-2012, 01:24 PM

Noblepa, the ESII's meter only operates when the shutter button is half-pressed.

**pickles** · 02-15-2012, 11:45 PM

Bought new batteries....no change.....no meter activity at all......so she's all packed up.....and in the post to Eric.
Cheers, Pickles.

02-11-2012, 06:10 PM	#1
pickles Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: melbourne Posts: 934	Spotmatic ES11....Problem? Bought a pristine black ES11 on Ebay some time ago, didn't use it for a while, then put 4 new SR44 batteries in it, & took a 24 exp film with it...all worked well....exposure & focus was perfect. Then, put another film in, & over a period of a few months, took another dozen shots.....everything seemed to be working OK....until a few days ago, when the exposure "needle" wouldn't move, & also when pressing the battery tester, the needle didn't move either. The batteries have probably been in the camera for nearly a year, but like I said, during that time, it's only taken around 36 shots.....so are there any opinions about what has gone wrong? Couldn't get SR44 batteries yesterday, but some have been ordered for me, and when I get 'em I'll put them in & see what happens. In the meantime though, surely the batteries wouldn't go flat just by simply sitting in the camera would they.....unless there was a "short" or something? I'm not worried about sending it to Eric for a CLA, but obviously don't want to send it, if I don't need to! All was working well......until the meter just....stopped working! So guys, what do you think? Cheers, Pickles.

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02-11-2012, 06:43 PM	#2
redrockcoulee Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Medicine Hat Posts: 2,135	If I remember correctly back to my Spotmatic days those batteries last about one year. Do you have a multimeter or battery tester?

02-11-2012, 08:04 PM	#3
pickles Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: melbourne Posts: 934 Original Poster	Originally posted by redrockcoulee If I remember correctly back to my Spotmatic days those batteries last about one year. Do you have a multimeter or battery tester? No I don't. Yes, you're right about the "one year", but surely that would be normal usage with multiple films etc.....I've only put a film & a half through it!? Cheers, Pickles.

02-11-2012, 10:47 PM	#4
p. rex New Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 12	Sounds strange. Mine did the exact same thing after I let it sit for a while -- I put new batteries in, to no effect. A trip to Eric fixed the problem -- the invoice said "Repaired electronics, auto timing circuit and auto speeds." So, not sure exactly what's up, but if new batteries don't fix it, it's probably something wrong in the electronics. If you haven't dealt with Eric before, don't hesitate to do so -- he really is that good. When I sent him my ESII, it was dirty and tired-looking, with a dusty finder, dirty mirror, and decaying seals. Now it's damn near perfect. For the ultimate screw-mount Pentax, I think it's worth it.

02-12-2012, 01:20 PM	#5
noblepa Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Bay Village, Ohio USA Posts: 1,047	I haven't looked at my ES-II in a while and I don't remember if it is one that has an on/off meter switch or not. I think it is like the Spotmatic F in that respect. The meter is always on. Because of this, a lens cap is imperative. That is the only way to turn the meter off, short of removing the batteries. Did you store the camera with a lens cap or body cap? If not, this will drain the battery.

02-12-2012, 01:24 PM	#6
p. rex New Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 12	Noblepa, the ESII's meter only operates when the shutter button is half-pressed.

02-15-2012, 11:45 PM	#7
pickles Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: melbourne Posts: 934 Original Poster	Bought new batteries....no change.....no meter activity at all......so she's all packed up.....and in the post to Eric. Cheers, Pickles.