Pentax ESII strange mirror lock up problem

enxdtw · 09-02-2019, 05:51 AM

Hi,

I've got a Pentax Spotmatic F and a ESII mainly because the lenses are excellent

. My Spotty F works fine but my ESII has a strange mirror lock up problem. Whenever I wind on the next frame using the frame advance lever the mirror raises and stays there blocking the viewfinder until the shutter button is pushed at which time it falls after the picture is taken, like a weird mirror lockup that I cant get rid off. Does anyone have any ideas?

Cheers

David

Aaron28 · 09-02-2019, 07:45 PM

recently had a similar issue with an ES.....a link to the thread which also contains a few other links and of course the helpful comments
mine is functioning very well now after the recommended 'lube' job.....still need to run film but functions with confidence!

pentax ES sticky mirror when lens is set to auto - PentaxForums.com

**arnold** · 09-02-2019, 09:10 PM

Originally posted by enxdtw

Hi,

I've got a Pentax Spotmatic F and a ESII mainly because the lenses are excellent

. My Spotty F works fine but my ESII has a strange mirror lock up problem. Whenever I wind on the next frame using the frame advance lever the mirror raises and stays there blocking the viewfinder until the shutter button is pushed at which time it falls after the picture is taken, like a weird mirror lockup that I cant get rid off. Does anyone have any ideas?

Cheers

David

I had this problem with a K1000. I understand it stems from the link that controls the shutter-mirror sequence. Old disintegrating foam can affect the mechanism. It may clear itself, because mine was intermittent.

enxdtw · 09-03-2019, 12:24 AM

Miy mirror problem is also intermittent. I will have to investigate if going from auto to manual changes anything.

enxdtw · 09-03-2019, 09:34 AM

Thank's that's a helpful pointer. I took the bottom of the camera off to see if anything is amiss and noticed a small white plastic washer and small metal disk lose in the body. I think these parts somehow are related to the tripod mount (at the end of the screw somehow) but can't work out how they fit. The Spotmatic F has a totally different (and much more sensible) tripod mount. It could be that there are some more small parts to do with the tripod mount somewhere in the camera body blocking things. I will give it a thorough shake.

dsmithhfx · 09-03-2019, 11:08 AM

I've had this problem (mirror lockup) with a couple of spotmatics, here's the method I used to clear it:
How to Fix a Ceased/"stuck" Mirror on a Pentax ES Spotmatic: 8 Steps

I used 3-in-1 oil and have had to redo it a couple of times on one body, once you know how it's a 5-minute fix.

enxdtw · 09-03-2019, 11:35 PM

Nothing changes the mirror up situation and it is really fixed in position mechanically not temporarily stuck by gunge. Seems to happen 2/3rds of the time when the camera is wound on. The manual shutter also seems to fire at 1/1000 even when set to 1/50, but the automatic shutter works ok. Strange.

09-02-2019, 05:51 AM	#1
enxdtw Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2019 Photos: Gallery Posts: 34	Pentax ESII strange mirror lock up problem Hi, I've got a Pentax Spotmatic F and a ESII mainly because the lenses are excellent . My Spotty F works fine but my ESII has a strange mirror lock up problem. Whenever I wind on the next frame using the frame advance lever the mirror raises and stays there blocking the viewfinder until the shutter button is pushed at which time it falls after the picture is taken, like a weird mirror lockup that I cant get rid off. Does anyone have any ideas? Cheers David

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09-02-2019, 07:45 PM	#2
Aaron28 Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Huntsville, Al Posts: 7,131	recently had a similar issue with an ES.....a link to the thread which also contains a few other links and of course the helpful comments mine is functioning very well now after the recommended 'lube' job.....still need to run film but functions with confidence! pentax ES sticky mirror when lens is set to auto - PentaxForums.com

09-02-2019, 09:10 PM	#3
arnold Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Queensland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,299	Originally posted by enxdtw Hi, I've got a Pentax Spotmatic F and a ESII mainly because the lenses are excellent . My Spotty F works fine but my ESII has a strange mirror lock up problem. Whenever I wind on the next frame using the frame advance lever the mirror raises and stays there blocking the viewfinder until the shutter button is pushed at which time it falls after the picture is taken, like a weird mirror lockup that I cant get rid off. Does anyone have any ideas? Cheers David I had this problem with a K1000. I understand it stems from the link that controls the shutter-mirror sequence. Old disintegrating foam can affect the mechanism. It may clear itself, because mine was intermittent.

09-03-2019, 12:24 AM	#4
enxdtw Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2019 Photos: Gallery Posts: 34 Original Poster	Miy mirror problem is also intermittent. I will have to investigate if going from auto to manual changes anything.

09-03-2019, 09:34 AM	#5
enxdtw Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2019 Photos: Gallery Posts: 34 Original Poster	Thank's that's a helpful pointer. I took the bottom of the camera off to see if anything is amiss and noticed a small white plastic washer and small metal disk lose in the body. I think these parts somehow are related to the tripod mount (at the end of the screw somehow) but can't work out how they fit. The Spotmatic F has a totally different (and much more sensible) tripod mount. It could be that there are some more small parts to do with the tripod mount somewhere in the camera body blocking things. I will give it a thorough shake.

09-03-2019, 11:08 AM	#6
dsmithhfx Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Toronto Posts: 5,155	I've had this problem (mirror lockup) with a couple of spotmatics, here's the method I used to clear it: How to Fix a Ceased/"stuck" Mirror on a Pentax ES Spotmatic: 8 Steps I used 3-in-1 oil and have had to redo it a couple of times on one body, once you know how it's a 5-minute fix.

09-03-2019, 11:35 PM	#7
enxdtw Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2019 Photos: Gallery Posts: 34 Original Poster	Nothing changes the mirror up situation and it is really fixed in position mechanically not temporarily stuck by gunge. Seems to happen 2/3rds of the time when the camera is wound on. The manual shutter also seems to fire at 1/1000 even when set to 1/50, but the automatic shutter works ok. Strange.