Pentax MG- Problems

zippo · 03-07-2010, 05:23 PM

Ok well if this is in the wrong fourm mods please move it.

I Picked this camera up on ebay for a heck of a deal. I have never shot one picture with the camera, and I would like to try and fix it before i send it back.

Now there are a few peoblems with the camera. For one the Mirror will not stay down. I dont know how to even operate it to where it will go up and down.... And the second this is I cant get the leaver that you use to lad the next shot to move. It will 'Unhook' but it wont go any farther. I have pushed down on the shutter button and nothing happens. I have brand new batts in it and every thing... But this is leaving me scratch my head. Any advice?

**Just1MoreDave** · 03-07-2010, 08:02 PM

Here's a link to a site with a PDF of the manual:

Pentax MG instruction manual, user manual, free PDF manual, camera manual

But if the mirror is up, your camera is broken in some way. The only time the mirror should flip up is when the camera is taking a photo. It may be stuck up, glued by the foam light seal in front of the focus screen. Or the camera is not completing its cycle after taking a photo. The second problem sounds more likely in your case.

You might try setting the mode dial to the mechanical shutter speed setting, 1/100 with a lightning bolt. That would take all the "auto" and electrical stuff out of the loop. The camera might start working and you know there's an electrical issue. I think the problem is actually mechanical, and you can fix it by removing the bottom plate, figuring out which gears are supposed to move, and encouraging them to complete their cycle. But I don't have any photos or specific descriptions of the parts involved. There is some information here, especially about "wind lock":

Favorite Classics > Pentax ME Super Ramblings > Three Common Failure Problems

I was able to fix an MG myself using this information, I can't guarantee it'll work for you.

03-07-2010, 05:23 PM	#1
zippo Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Sebring FL Posts: 2	Pentax MG- Problems Ok well if this is in the wrong fourm mods please move it. I Picked this camera up on ebay for a heck of a deal. I have never shot one picture with the camera, and I would like to try and fix it before i send it back. Now there are a few peoblems with the camera. For one the Mirror will not stay down. I dont know how to even operate it to where it will go up and down.... And the second this is I cant get the leaver that you use to lad the next shot to move. It will 'Unhook' but it wont go any farther. I have pushed down on the shutter button and nothing happens. I have brand new batts in it and every thing... But this is leaving me scratch my head. Any advice?

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03-07-2010, 08:02 PM	#2
Just1MoreDave Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Aurora, CO Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,340	Here's a link to a site with a PDF of the manual: Pentax MG instruction manual, user manual, free PDF manual, camera manual But if the mirror is up, your camera is broken in some way. The only time the mirror should flip up is when the camera is taking a photo. It may be stuck up, glued by the foam light seal in front of the focus screen. Or the camera is not completing its cycle after taking a photo. The second problem sounds more likely in your case. You might try setting the mode dial to the mechanical shutter speed setting, 1/100 with a lightning bolt. That would take all the "auto" and electrical stuff out of the loop. The camera might start working and you know there's an electrical issue. I think the problem is actually mechanical, and you can fix it by removing the bottom plate, figuring out which gears are supposed to move, and encouraging them to complete their cycle. But I don't have any photos or specific descriptions of the parts involved. There is some information here, especially about "wind lock": Favorite Classics > Pentax ME Super Ramblings > Three Common Failure Problems I was able to fix an MG myself using this information, I can't guarantee it'll work for you.