MX possible fault

chromo · 03-25-2014, 04:35 AM

So i picked up this Pentax MX cheap but I wonder what could be causing the issue or is it something I've missed.
It's the shutter speed I'm referring to. If I set it to 1/15th sec or faster the shutter seems to work fine. Set it to 1/8th or lower and the shutter stays open. "B" operates as it should.

Thoughts ??

**RKKS08** · 03-25-2014, 05:32 AM

That's definitely a case for CLA.
But it won't be exactly cheap, and another MX from a seller who guarantees all functions may be cheaper.
Even if the fault is caused by dried out lubrication, or dirty guides where the shutter cloths run in.

EDIT:
I think the cloth of the shutter of the MX can be replaced.
But if the mechanics are worn out after probably 35 years of usage, this wouldn't make sense.

**arnold** · 03-25-2014, 06:23 AM

Possibly the slow speed 'retarder' clockwork is sticky. Send it to Eric for a CLA

wombat2go · 03-25-2014, 06:25 AM

MX owners should "exercise" the camera periodically.
Run the clockwork on the 1 second setting.

**RKKS08** · 03-25-2014, 06:31 AM

Originally posted by wombat2go

MX owners should "exercise" the camera periodically.

And that is true for all the mechanical or partly mechanical parts of all cameras, as shutters, self-timers, lens apertures.

---------- Post added 25-03-14 at 14:35 ----------

Originally posted by arnold

Send it to Eric for a CLA

Sending items to the US for repair (and get it back!) could be complicated from down under.
Have you tried it? I know Pentaxians in Germany are reluctant to do it.

wombat2go · 03-25-2014, 06:39 AM

Originally posted by RKKS08

And that is true for all the mechanical

Oh Yes,
I took the top off my Ilex 3X recently , A huge shutter , it is a beautiful example of "American iron" engineering.
I checked its calibration and i know it will still be working for another 100 years.

**arnold** · 03-25-2014, 06:42 AM

Originally posted by RKKS08

Sending items to the US for repair (and get it back!) could be complicated from down under.
Have you tried it? I know Pentaxians in Germany are reluctant to do it.

Yes, I sent an SV over to Eric. Return post is about $70, and the service about $100 on average.

chromo · 03-25-2014, 03:07 PM

Also this camera has damage to the material on the outside.
You know, the leather look stuff they put on the body, what's it called ? so I can look for it and buy some.

stevebrot · 03-26-2014, 08:47 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by chromo

Also this camera has damage to the material on the outside.
You know, the leather look stuff they put on the body, what's it called ? so I can look for it and buy some.

cameraleather.com

Steve

chromo · 03-26-2014, 03:52 PM

Originally posted by stevebrot

cameraleather.com

Steve

Thank you excellent link and surprisingly cheap too.

The shutter has been fixed now too. Just a little lube in the right place done the job.

stevebrot · 03-26-2014, 04:28 PM

Originally posted by chromo

Thank you excellent link and surprisingly cheap too.

The shutter has been fixed now too. Just a little lube in the right place done the job.

My pleasure.

Steve

craigrdaniels · 05-29-2014, 05:32 AM

Originally posted by chromo

Thank you excellent link and surprisingly cheap too.

The shutter has been fixed now too. Just a little lube in the right place done the job.

Hi,

I saw you recently repaired your Pentax MX slow speed mechanism with a bit of lube. My MX has developed the same problem and I was wondering what part you had to lube to get it to work? I can see which is the slow speed mechanism, but I can't tell what part does what.

Perhaps this URL will help https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/54246_541945385832813_36229136_o.jpg

03-25-2014, 04:35 AM	#1
chromo Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: North Coast NSW Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 581	MX possible fault So i picked up this Pentax MX cheap but I wonder what could be causing the issue or is it something I've missed. It's the shutter speed I'm referring to. If I set it to 1/15th sec or faster the shutter seems to work fine. Set it to 1/8th or lower and the shutter stays open. "B" operates as it should. Thoughts ??

03-25-2014, 05:32 AM	#2
RKKS08 Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Frankfurt am Main Posts: 1,241	That's definitely a case for CLA. But it won't be exactly cheap, and another MX from a seller who guarantees all functions may be cheaper. Even if the fault is caused by dried out lubrication, or dirty guides where the shutter cloths run in. EDIT: I think the cloth of the shutter of the MX can be replaced. But if the mechanics are worn out after probably 35 years of usage, this wouldn't make sense. Last edited by RKKS08; 03-25-2014 at 05:39 AM.

03-25-2014, 06:31 AM	#5
RKKS08 Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Frankfurt am Main Posts: 1,241	Originally posted by wombat2go MX owners should "exercise" the camera periodically. And that is true for all the mechanical or partly mechanical parts of all cameras, as shutters, self-timers, lens apertures. ---------- Post added 25-03-14 at 14:35 ---------- Originally posted by arnold Send it to Eric for a CLA Sending items to the US for repair (and get it back!) could be complicated from down under. Have you tried it? I know Pentaxians in Germany are reluctant to do it. Last edited by RKKS08; 03-25-2014 at 06:37 AM.

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03-25-2014, 06:23 AM	#3
arnold Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Queensland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,299	Possibly the slow speed 'retarder' clockwork is sticky. Send it to Eric for a CLA

03-25-2014, 06:25 AM	#4
wombat2go Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Michigan Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,207	MX owners should "exercise" the camera periodically. Run the clockwork on the 1 second setting.

03-25-2014, 06:39 AM	#6
wombat2go Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Michigan Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,207	Originally posted by RKKS08 And that is true for all the mechanical Oh Yes, I took the top off my Ilex 3X recently , A huge shutter , it is a beautiful example of "American iron" engineering. I checked its calibration and i know it will still be working for another 100 years.

03-25-2014, 06:42 AM	#7
arnold Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Queensland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,299	Originally posted by RKKS08 Sending items to the US for repair (and get it back!) could be complicated from down under. Have you tried it? I know Pentaxians in Germany are reluctant to do it. Yes, I sent an SV over to Eric. Return post is about $70, and the service about $100 on average.

03-25-2014, 03:07 PM	#8
chromo Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: North Coast NSW Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 581 Original Poster	Also this camera has damage to the material on the outside. You know, the leather look stuff they put on the body, what's it called ? so I can look for it and buy some.

03-26-2014, 08:47 AM - 1 Like	#9
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by chromo Also this camera has damage to the material on the outside. You know, the leather look stuff they put on the body, what's it called ? so I can look for it and buy some. cameraleather.com Steve

03-26-2014, 03:52 PM	#10
chromo Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: North Coast NSW Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 581 Original Poster	Originally posted by stevebrot cameraleather.com Steve Thank you excellent link and surprisingly cheap too. The shutter has been fixed now too. Just a little lube in the right place done the job.

03-26-2014, 04:28 PM	#11
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by chromo Thank you excellent link and surprisingly cheap too. The shutter has been fixed now too. Just a little lube in the right place done the job. My pleasure. Steve

05-29-2014, 05:32 AM	#12
craigrdaniels New Member Join Date: May 2014 Posts: 1	Originally posted by chromo Thank you excellent link and surprisingly cheap too. The shutter has been fixed now too. Just a little lube in the right place done the job. Hi, I saw you recently repaired your Pentax MX slow speed mechanism with a bit of lube. My MX has developed the same problem and I was wondering what part you had to lube to get it to work? I can see which is the slow speed mechanism, but I can't tell what part does what. Perhaps this URL will help https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/54246_541945385832813_36229136_o.jpg