Locked up shutter on Yashica Electro TL

**babywriter** · 03-24-2018, 02:27 PM

Hey all - this is a long shot, but I thought I’d put it out there.

I’ve been putting a roll of film through a Yashica Electro TL that I picked up about six months ago. I bought it for the lens that was on it, so not a lot invested ... anyway, I was advancing the film today when the advance lever stopped about halfway. It appears the mechanical shutter has locked up at half-cock, and I can’t figure out how to free it up. (I pulled the film out, so it’s not that - I can see the shutter is stuck; it tries to move when I put pressure on the lever, but it won’t.)

Any ideas? Just thought I’d ask before I give up and junk it.

TaoMaas · 03-25-2018, 06:24 AM

Have you tried pushing the film rewind button on the bottom of the camera? Sometimes the frame counter on film cameras can think they're at the end of a roll of film even when they're not. It can cause the film advance to stop working.

**babywriter** · 03-25-2018, 06:33 AM

Originally posted by TaoMaas

Have you tried pushing the film rewind button on the bottom of the camera? Sometimes the frame counter on film cameras can think they're at the end of a roll of film even when they're not. It can cause the film advance to stop working.

No luck there, unfortunately. Thanks for the idea though.

TaoMaas · 03-25-2018, 06:37 AM

Dang. The only other thing I can think of that might be an easy fix is that sometimes cameras can tear out a sprocket hole. The little piece of film can sometimes lodge in the track of the shutter and cause it to jam.

photoptimist · 03-25-2018, 09:00 AM

If you consider the camera to be junk and no one else offers better advice, then you have nothing left to lose in trying:

1. Percussive maintenance: slapping the camera against the palm of your hand or a book might jar-loose whatever is stuck. Banging the camera on the left, right, front, or top might fix it.

2. Remove the bottom plate and look for something jammed in the mechanism (easily removed to fix it) or evidence of a broken parts (harder to fix).

Good luck!

**babywriter** · 03-25-2018, 07:25 PM

A moment of silence for the Yashica. After trying percussive maintenance and taking off the bottom plate, I attempted to force the film winder and ended up with a film winder that works, but a shutter that doesn’t. Time to send the Yashica off to the great camera graveyard in the sky.

photoptimist · 03-26-2018, 06:32 AM

That's too bad.

But it does not have to go to the junk yard yet. I'm sure someone would gladly pay for shipping to get the camera as a source of spare parts.

**babywriter** · 03-26-2018, 08:37 AM

Originally posted by photoptimist

That's too bad.

But it does not have to go to the junk yard yet. I'm sure someone would gladly pay for shipping to get the camera as a source of spare parts.

Good thought!

Sunnyjim333 · 08-04-2022, 06:13 PM - **1 Like**

OMG. I had already tossed the camera body in the trash, I read the recomendation for "percusive maintenence" and "what is there to loose". I whacked it on my hand, there will be a bruise. The auto timer started whiring and the mirror came down. Film advances, the shutter fires, life is good. I drink to your health. Be well.

03-24-2018, 02:27 PM	#1
babywriter Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: central Iowa Photos: Gallery Posts: 969	Locked up shutter on Yashica Electro TL Hey all - this is a long shot, but I thought I’d put it out there. I’ve been putting a roll of film through a Yashica Electro TL that I picked up about six months ago. I bought it for the lens that was on it, so not a lot invested ... anyway, I was advancing the film today when the advance lever stopped about halfway. It appears the mechanical shutter has locked up at half-cock, and I can’t figure out how to free it up. (I pulled the film out, so it’s not that - I can see the shutter is stuck; it tries to move when I put pressure on the lever, but it won’t.) Any ideas? Just thought I’d ask before I give up and junk it.

08-04-2022, 06:13 PM - 1 Like	#9
Sunnyjim333 New Member Join Date: Apr 2017 Posts: 2	Percusive Maintenance OMG. I had already tossed the camera body in the trash, I read the recomendation for "percusive maintenence" and "what is there to loose". I whacked it on my hand, there will be a bruise. The auto timer started whiring and the mirror came down. Film advances, the shutter fires, life is good. I drink to your health. Be well.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Yashica TL Electro X	SolarBurn	Canon, Nikon, Sony, and Other Camera Brands	13	02-19-2014 07:10 PM
Help: Yashica TL Electro X	L&D	Canon, Nikon, Sony, and Other Camera Brands	14	01-03-2013 06:07 PM
For Sale - Sold: Spotmatic & Yashica TL Electro X (Eric CLA'd), Helios-44M, S-Tak 50/1.4 (World	deadwolfbones	Sold Items	22	11-12-2010 01:38 PM
For Sale - Sold: K1000, Yashica TL Electro-X, M42 Lenses inluding Industar-61	maxwell1295	Sold Items	11	04-16-2009 06:44 AM

03-25-2018, 06:24 AM	#2
TaoMaas Pentaxian Join Date: May 2007 Location: Oklahoma City Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,574	Have you tried pushing the film rewind button on the bottom of the camera? Sometimes the frame counter on film cameras can think they're at the end of a roll of film even when they're not. It can cause the film advance to stop working.

03-25-2018, 06:33 AM	#3
babywriter Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: central Iowa Photos: Gallery Posts: 969 Original Poster	Originally posted by TaoMaas Have you tried pushing the film rewind button on the bottom of the camera? Sometimes the frame counter on film cameras can think they're at the end of a roll of film even when they're not. It can cause the film advance to stop working. No luck there, unfortunately. Thanks for the idea though.

03-25-2018, 06:37 AM	#4
TaoMaas Pentaxian Join Date: May 2007 Location: Oklahoma City Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,574	Dang. The only other thing I can think of that might be an easy fix is that sometimes cameras can tear out a sprocket hole. The little piece of film can sometimes lodge in the track of the shutter and cause it to jam.

03-25-2018, 09:00 AM	#5
photoptimist Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2016 Photos: Albums Posts: 5,127	If you consider the camera to be junk and no one else offers better advice, then you have nothing left to lose in trying: 1. Percussive maintenance: slapping the camera against the palm of your hand or a book might jar-loose whatever is stuck. Banging the camera on the left, right, front, or top might fix it. 2. Remove the bottom plate and look for something jammed in the mechanism (easily removed to fix it) or evidence of a broken parts (harder to fix). Good luck!

03-25-2018, 07:25 PM	#6
babywriter Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: central Iowa Photos: Gallery Posts: 969 Original Poster	A moment of silence for the Yashica. After trying percussive maintenance and taking off the bottom plate, I attempted to force the film winder and ended up with a film winder that works, but a shutter that doesn’t. Time to send the Yashica off to the great camera graveyard in the sky.

03-26-2018, 06:32 AM	#7
photoptimist Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2016 Photos: Albums Posts: 5,127	That's too bad. But it does not have to go to the junk yard yet. I'm sure someone would gladly pay for shipping to get the camera as a source of spare parts.

03-26-2018, 08:37 AM	#8
babywriter Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: central Iowa Photos: Gallery Posts: 969 Original Poster	Originally posted by photoptimist That's too bad. But it does not have to go to the junk yard yet. I'm sure someone would gladly pay for shipping to get the camera as a source of spare parts. Good thought!