Pentax ME stuck shutter HELP PLEASE

Puffin · 06-14-2019, 07:01 AM

I have purchased a used Pentax ME. When I got it home the shutter worked a couple of times (with no film in the camera) then the shutter stuck closed.
I've attempted to gently move the plastic shutter from bothe sides with the lens off but no joy.
The little shutter release button lever, inside the camera body moves and the shutter opens then when I release the spring loaded lever the shutter closes. When I put the lens back on the shutter stays closed.
The lever to advance the film feels like it's not attached to anything.
The button to take a picture doesn't work.
I have tried using the 'Auto setting and the 100X setting.
It's not set to the 'lock' setting.
Any help is gratefully accepted.

**blumoon722** · 06-14-2019, 08:09 AM

Have you tried setting it to 125X ?

Puffin · 06-14-2019, 08:49 AM

The setting on my ME are: L (for lock)
Auto
100X
and 'B'.
No 125 setting.

**Apet-Sure** · 06-14-2019, 10:20 AM

Originally posted by Puffin

The lever to advance the film feels like it's not attached to anything.

With no film in the camera it will have very little resistance.

I own an ME Super I bought new in the '70s. It's shutter no longer fires also. As I understand it, there is foam on the back of the mirror that was intended as a light seal. Over time this foam deteriorates and turns into goo. That prevents the mirror from flipping up, which prevents the shutter from firing. With the lens off, you may try to gently move the mirror with a toothpick or some such thing. That may confirm that you are a victim of 'sticky mirror'.

I never bothered to get mine serviced, but I just can't bring myself to throw this very nice camera away. I only shot maybe six rolls of film with it, and it's in mint condition. Maybe someone in the Marketplace would be interested in it for parts/repair?

**gofour3** · 06-14-2019, 11:32 AM

Originally posted by Apet-Sure

As I understand it, there is foam on the back of the mirror that was intended as a light seal.

That would be my guess as to what happened to the OP's ME.

Phil.

---------- Post added 14-06-19 at 11:33 ----------

Originally posted by Puffin

Any help is gratefully accepted.

Welcome to the forum!

Probably the mirror foam, I would suggest getting it CLAed.

Phil.

**scc** · 06-15-2019, 10:58 AM

The ME has an electronic shutter, it won’t work without batteries.
Check the batteries.

**Just1MoreDave** · 06-16-2019, 08:54 PM

Originally posted by Puffin

The setting on my ME are: L (for lock)
Auto
100X
and 'B'.
No 125 setting.

Try 100x. That should be a completely mechanical shutter, working even if you have bad batteries or some other electrical problem. B is also mechanical. That might allow you to decide if it's related to foam seals or something else.

The ME Super has a 125x setting which does the same thing, so the suggestion was on the right track, just wrong model.

06-14-2019, 07:01 AM	#1
Puffin New Member Join Date: Jun 2019 Posts: 2	Pentax ME stuck shutter HELP PLEASE I have purchased a used Pentax ME. When I got it home the shutter worked a couple of times (with no film in the camera) then the shutter stuck closed. I've attempted to gently move the plastic shutter from bothe sides with the lens off but no joy. The little shutter release button lever, inside the camera body moves and the shutter opens then when I release the spring loaded lever the shutter closes. When I put the lens back on the shutter stays closed. The lever to advance the film feels like it's not attached to anything. The button to take a picture doesn't work. I have tried using the 'Auto setting and the 100X setting. It's not set to the 'lock' setting. Any help is gratefully accepted.

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06-14-2019, 08:09 AM	#2
blumoon722 Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2015 Posts: 424	Have you tried setting it to 125X ?

06-14-2019, 08:49 AM	#3
Puffin New Member Join Date: Jun 2019 Posts: 2 Original Poster	The setting on my ME are: L (for lock) Auto 100X and 'B'. No 125 setting.

06-14-2019, 10:20 AM	#4
Apet-Sure Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Goldsboro North Carolina Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,872	Originally posted by Puffin The lever to advance the film feels like it's not attached to anything. With no film in the camera it will have very little resistance. I own an ME Super I bought new in the '70s. It's shutter no longer fires also. As I understand it, there is foam on the back of the mirror that was intended as a light seal. Over time this foam deteriorates and turns into goo. That prevents the mirror from flipping up, which prevents the shutter from firing. With the lens off, you may try to gently move the mirror with a toothpick or some such thing. That may confirm that you are a victim of 'sticky mirror'. I never bothered to get mine serviced, but I just can't bring myself to throw this very nice camera away. I only shot maybe six rolls of film with it, and it's in mint condition. Maybe someone in the Marketplace would be interested in it for parts/repair?

06-14-2019, 11:32 AM	#5
gofour3 Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 8,093	Originally posted by Apet-Sure As I understand it, there is foam on the back of the mirror that was intended as a light seal. That would be my guess as to what happened to the OP's ME. Phil. ---------- Post added 14-06-19 at 11:33 ---------- Originally posted by Puffin Any help is gratefully accepted. Welcome to the forum! Probably the mirror foam, I would suggest getting it CLAed. Phil.

06-15-2019, 10:58 AM	#6
scc Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2012 Posts: 165	The ME has an electronic shutter, it won’t work without batteries. Check the batteries.

06-16-2019, 08:54 PM	#7
Just1MoreDave Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Aurora, CO Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,340	Originally posted by Puffin The setting on my ME are: L (for lock) Auto 100X and 'B'. No 125 setting. Try 100x. That should be a completely mechanical shutter, working even if you have bad batteries or some other electrical problem. B is also mechanical. That might allow you to decide if it's related to foam seals or something else. The ME Super has a 125x setting which does the same thing, so the suggestion was on the right track, just wrong model.