ZX-L after a generation

godavari · 02-20-2021, 05:53 PM

Hello All, I have tried to resurrect my previously working "ZX-L" after more than 15 years. Got two fresh sets of CR-2 batteries and fresh roles of film. Upon replacing with new batteries "most" of the controls seem to work except actuation of shutter release. It makes a feeble machine whirring noise when shutter release button is completely depressed (auto focus works. tried with old and relatively new lenses). Another control that does not work is the date/time LCD. Anything else I could do to get it back to taking pictures? Thanks.

Aaron28 · 02-20-2021, 06:09 PM

hate to say it and hopefully i am wrong but that whirring is likely the gear gave it up

**nitehntr** · 02-20-2021, 06:16 PM

Originally posted by godavari

Hello All, I have tried to resurrect my previously working "ZX-L" after more than 15 years. Got two fresh sets of CR-2 batteries and fresh roles of film. Upon replacing with new batteries "most" of the controls seem to work except actuation of shutter release. It makes a feeble machine whirring noise when shutter release button is completely depressed (auto focus works. tried with old and relatively new lenses). Another control that does not work is the date/time LCD. Anything else I could do to get it back to taking pictures? Thanks.

sounds like a stripped gear it might have seized up while sitting then stripped when it tried to function again

disconnekt · 02-20-2021, 07:33 PM

If you want/plan to get it repaired, you can get the replacement gear here:

ipernity

**TwoUptons** · 02-21-2021, 08:43 AM

It does sound like the mirror gear. Literally. That’s the sound the camera makes when it dies.

The data back uses a different battery, so replacing that is easy and only requires a tiny screwdriver. The backs of the MX/ZX family are also interchangeable, so if you find a different body without the date function, they’re easy to swap.

-Eric

02-20-2021, 05:53 PM	#1
godavari Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: San Jose, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 230	ZX-L after a generation Hello All, I have tried to resurrect my previously working "ZX-L" after more than 15 years. Got two fresh sets of CR-2 batteries and fresh roles of film. Upon replacing with new batteries "most" of the controls seem to work except actuation of shutter release. It makes a feeble machine whirring noise when shutter release button is completely depressed (auto focus works. tried with old and relatively new lenses). Another control that does not work is the date/time LCD. Anything else I could do to get it back to taking pictures? Thanks.

02-20-2021, 06:16 PM	#3
nitehntr Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Rivesville West Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 238	Originally posted by godavari Hello All, I have tried to resurrect my previously working "ZX-L" after more than 15 years. Got two fresh sets of CR-2 batteries and fresh roles of film. Upon replacing with new batteries "most" of the controls seem to work except actuation of shutter release. It makes a feeble machine whirring noise when shutter release button is completely depressed (auto focus works. tried with old and relatively new lenses). Another control that does not work is the date/time LCD. Anything else I could do to get it back to taking pictures? Thanks. sounds like a stripped gear it might have seized up while sitting then stripped when it tried to function again Last edited by nitehntr; 02-21-2021 at 04:06 AM.

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02-20-2021, 06:09 PM	#2
Aaron28 Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Huntsville, Al Posts: 7,131	hate to say it and hopefully i am wrong but that whirring is likely the gear gave it up

02-20-2021, 07:33 PM	#4
disconnekt Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: SoCal/I.E. Photos: Albums Posts: 1,702	If you want/plan to get it repaired, you can get the replacement gear here: ipernity

02-21-2021, 08:43 AM	#5
TwoUptons Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2015 Photos: Albums Posts: 4,227	It does sound like the mirror gear. Literally. That’s the sound the camera makes when it dies. The data back uses a different battery, so replacing that is easy and only requires a tiny screwdriver. The backs of the MX/ZX family are also interchangeable, so if you find a different body without the date function, they’re easy to swap. -Eric