My MZ-7 has thrown a wobbler !!!!!!!

ARoosterwithaCamera · 01-11-2015, 05:37 PM

Hi to you all. My MZ-7 with a 28-80 has seized up and will not function at-all. I have scoured the user manual for clues as to the problem but I cannot see anything that would lead me to a resolve.
I had inserted new CR2 batteries and loaded a film with the intention of taking some candid shots around a nearby indoor shopping centre.
Everything went as usual and the film loaded and confirmation of it showed in the LCD panel. I focused and took the shot but the mirror appears to have locked in the up position.
I have nothing but a totally black view through the view-finder and it appears that the batteries are now all but drained of power.
When the power switch was in the On position the counter was showing 2 in the screen and in an attempt to salvage the film I activated the Film Rewind button but it was not having the desired effect and upon opening the back as a final straw I found that considerably more than two frames had been transported across.
I had even resorted to removing the batteries in the hope that it would reset - but nothing.

Is this a known issue with the MZ-7 and is it a camera that is worth the expense of a "Camera Surgeon" or do I perhaps seek another one or even a different and updated model?

Adam · 01-11-2015, 09:49 PM

I would try to manually reset the mirror. That might bring the camera back to life, assuming the circuitry isn't to blame.

robthebloke · 01-11-2015, 10:24 PM

Sounds a bit like the dreaded plastic gear failure, but in my experience the camera lights will all still function - you just can't take a shot.

Give Adams recommendation a go, but otherwise it may need a plastic gear replacing with a metal one.

titrisol · 03-20-2015, 06:18 AM

Unfortunately your camera is dead.
The MZ cameras were not bad, but the glass of that era is not good either.
With the old M or A generation lenses the pictures were brilliant

ARoosterwithaCamera · 03-23-2015, 05:36 AM

Originally posted by titrisol

Unfortunately your camera is dead.
The MZ cameras were not bad, but the glass of that era is not good either.
With the old M or A generation lenses the pictures were brilliant

Hi titrisol and to you all. Yes,the MZ-7 is well and truly dead but the burial will not be in the garden alongside of many years of deceased pets,it will be devoid of the Pentax SMC-FA 28-80 lens,the Pentax neck strap and batteries and sent out to scrap.

titrisol · 03-26-2015, 11:02 AM

Keep the neck strap!!!
it has a "pocket" for the remote that is super useful!

Originally posted by ARoosterwithaCamera

Hi titrisol and to you all. Yes,the MZ-7 is well and truly dead but the burial will not be in the garden alongside of many years of deceased pets,it will be devoid of the Pentax SMC-FA 28-80 lens,the Pentax neck strap and batteries and sent out to scrap.

01-11-2015, 05:37 PM	#1
ARoosterwithaCamera Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Posts: 38	My MZ-7 has thrown a wobbler !!!!!!! Hi to you all. My MZ-7 with a 28-80 has seized up and will not function at-all. I have scoured the user manual for clues as to the problem but I cannot see anything that would lead me to a resolve. I had inserted new CR2 batteries and loaded a film with the intention of taking some candid shots around a nearby indoor shopping centre. Everything went as usual and the film loaded and confirmation of it showed in the LCD panel. I focused and took the shot but the mirror appears to have locked in the up position. I have nothing but a totally black view through the view-finder and it appears that the batteries are now all but drained of power. When the power switch was in the On position the counter was showing 2 in the screen and in an attempt to salvage the film I activated the Film Rewind button but it was not having the desired effect and upon opening the back as a final straw I found that considerably more than two frames had been transported across. I had even resorted to removing the batteries in the hope that it would reset - but nothing. Is this a known issue with the MZ-7 and is it a camera that is worth the expense of a "Camera Surgeon" or do I perhaps seek another one or even a different and updated model?

01-11-2015, 09:49 PM	#2
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,594	I would try to manually reset the mirror. That might bring the camera back to life, assuming the circuitry isn't to blame. Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
How's the MZ-7/ MZ-6 for manual focus lens?	weijen	Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras	3	04-28-2014 05:47 PM
Pentax MZ-50 or MZ-7 ?	happyprince	Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras	3	05-12-2013 05:59 PM
Has anyone asked Eric to repair a mirror gear motor in a MZ / ZX body?	gabriel_bc	Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras	5	12-11-2012 03:08 PM
The difference between MZ-5, MZ-7 and MZ-10?	Raffwal	Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras	7	02-11-2012 05:03 PM
Thrown in a river with my Pentax K2000D	gladyscrum	Pentax DSLR Discussion	29	09-02-2010 10:20 AM

01-11-2015, 10:24 PM	#3
robthebloke Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Sydney Photos: Albums Posts: 844	Sounds a bit like the dreaded plastic gear failure, but in my experience the camera lights will all still function - you just can't take a shot. Give Adams recommendation a go, but otherwise it may need a plastic gear replacing with a metal one.

03-20-2015, 06:18 AM	#4
titrisol Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: In the most populated state... state of denial Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,851	Unfortunately your camera is dead. The MZ cameras were not bad, but the glass of that era is not good either. With the old M or A generation lenses the pictures were brilliant

03-23-2015, 05:36 AM	#5
ARoosterwithaCamera Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Posts: 38 Original Poster	Originally posted by titrisol Unfortunately your camera is dead. The MZ cameras were not bad, but the glass of that era is not good either. With the old M or A generation lenses the pictures were brilliant Hi titrisol and to you all. Yes,the MZ-7 is well and truly dead but the burial will not be in the garden alongside of many years of deceased pets,it will be devoid of the Pentax SMC-FA 28-80 lens,the Pentax neck strap and batteries and sent out to scrap.

03-26-2015, 11:02 AM	#6
titrisol Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: In the most populated state... state of denial Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,851	Keep the neck strap!!! it has a "pocket" for the remote that is super useful! Originally posted by ARoosterwithaCamera Hi titrisol and to you all. Yes,the MZ-7 is well and truly dead but the burial will not be in the garden alongside of many years of deceased pets,it will be devoid of the Pentax SMC-FA 28-80 lens,the Pentax neck strap and batteries and sent out to scrap.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
	Search this Thread: Advanced Search