Sticky Shutter Curtain! Any Suggestions?

builttospill · 07-21-2010, 01:49 PM

The shutter curtain on my S3 is sticking. It doesn't stick when it's nice and hot and I've been using it for a while, but it's doing it quite often. When the curtain doesn't close all the way the mirror remains up. I can push gently on the curtain and the mirror will return to it's original position and the curtain and shutter close. Any suggestions on DIY service/repair?

Here's what it's supposed to look like:

and here's what it looks like when it sticks:

stevebrot · 07-21-2010, 01:58 PM

Shutter service/repair is a fine art and requires a high level of skill. I would suggest sending it to Eric Hendrickson in Tennessee. His prices are fair and his skills are the best. Here is the link:

Pentax Camera Service

The estimates are free and if you opt to not repair, Eric will send the camera back to you at no charge including shipping. What a guy, eh?

Steve

builttospill · 07-21-2010, 02:02 PM

Originally posted by stevebrot

Shutter service/repair is a fine art and requires a high level of skill...

I was saving Eric as a last resort. But you make a good point, maybe I should just send it to him so I don't mess anything else up.

Banjo · 07-21-2010, 07:43 PM

Originally posted by builttospill

I was saving Eric as a last resort. ...

Scale of charges:

Repairs: $100-00/hour.

Repairs to your DIY repairs: $200-00/hour.

stevebrot · 07-21-2010, 08:02 PM

Originally posted by Banjo

Scale of charges:

Repairs: $100-00/hour.

Repairs to your DIY repairs: $200-00/hour.

Eric's repairs are about $70-$100 including full CLA and return shipping. So the deal is even sweeter.

Steve

Wheatfield · 07-21-2010, 09:48 PM

Try storing it prism down in a warm place for a while.

builttospill · 07-28-2010, 07:11 AM

Originally posted by Wheatfield

Try storing it prism down in a warm place for a while.

I placed the camera in my car with the windows up for the last 2 1/2 days in approximately 100 degree (37 C) weather outside. No luck, unfortunately.

Blue · 07-29-2010, 06:31 AM

Originally posted by builttospill

I placed the camera in my car with the windows up for the last 2 1/2 days in approximately 100 degree (37 C) weather outside. No luck, unfortunately.

He said a warm place, not an oven.

Seriously, that thing probably needs a good cla with the lube being key for your problems.

Blue · 07-29-2010, 06:32 AM

Originally posted by stevebrot

Eric's repairs are about $70-$100 including full CLA and return shipping. So the deal is even sweeter.

Steve

That may end being on the high side for Eric. Eric is good enough that he doesn't have to gouge. He has incredible institutional knowledge and a million hours of experience on manual focus Pentax gear.

dandaniel · 08-01-2010, 03:02 PM

Unless you really want to learn about repairing shutters, and unless you are willing to destroy some cameras in the process, I'd suggest that you just send it to Eric and get it over with. It's something worth learning, but it *will* cost you, time, tools, a camera or two... Or you pay someone and get on with using the camera for the next decade or more.

snapwell · 08-07-2010, 07:37 AM

Yesterday I looked to see if I could pull the top plate of my S2 (which was behaving exactly as you described.) I decided that I would need a real service manual first, so I pulled the bottom plate instead.
Put 3 drops of Ronson LIghter Fluid on the 1st curtain adjuster; all speeds are now to spec and absolutely no trace of slowness in the 1st curtain.

Bob Palmieri

builttospill · 08-09-2010, 09:34 AM

Thanks Bob, that's neat you were able to fix your S2. I had taken the front plates off and lubed the shutter curtain rail, but hadn't done the bottom plate. After removing it now, it was pretty dry. I put a couple drops of oil on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd curtain pinion shafts and snapped the shutter a few times with no problems.

I figured it wasn't quite done yet, so I put it back in the "oven" upside down to let the lube do its thing. I'll put a roll of film through it later today if there's still no sticking.

Blue · 08-09-2010, 09:54 AM

I hope you guys realize that in the realm of cameras, a drop is a LOT!

builttospill · 08-09-2010, 10:20 AM

Yes, I read in the service manual about how many drops to put at each location. I didn't have a dropper, so I used my small screwdriver tip dipped in the oil to place the lubricant right where it needed to go.

builttospill · 08-11-2010, 08:29 AM

Well it must've worked. The camera is doing great now. Thanks for all your suggestions.

07-21-2010, 01:49 PM	#1
builttospill Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Utah, Idaho Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,398	Sticky Shutter Curtain! Any Suggestions? The shutter curtain on my S3 is sticking. It doesn't stick when it's nice and hot and I've been using it for a while, but it's doing it quite often. When the curtain doesn't close all the way the mirror remains up. I can push gently on the curtain and the mirror will return to it's original position and the curtain and shutter close. Any suggestions on DIY service/repair? Here's what it's supposed to look like: and here's what it looks like when it sticks:

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07-21-2010, 01:58 PM	#2
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Shutter service/repair is a fine art and requires a high level of skill. I would suggest sending it to Eric Hendrickson in Tennessee. His prices are fair and his skills are the best. Here is the link: Pentax Camera Service The estimates are free and if you opt to not repair, Eric will send the camera back to you at no charge including shipping. What a guy, eh? Steve

07-21-2010, 02:02 PM	#3
builttospill Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Utah, Idaho Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,398 Original Poster	Originally posted by stevebrot Shutter service/repair is a fine art and requires a high level of skill... I was saving Eric as a last resort. But you make a good point, maybe I should just send it to him so I don't mess anything else up.

07-21-2010, 07:43 PM	#4
Banjo Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Australia Posts: 207	Originally posted by builttospill I was saving Eric as a last resort. ... Scale of charges: Repairs: $100-00/hour. Repairs to your DIY repairs: $200-00/hour.

07-21-2010, 08:02 PM	#5
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by Banjo Scale of charges: Repairs: $100-00/hour. Repairs to your DIY repairs: $200-00/hour. Eric's repairs are about $70-$100 including full CLA and return shipping. So the deal is even sweeter. Steve

07-21-2010, 09:48 PM	#6
Wheatfield Moderator Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: The wheatfields of Canada Posts: 15,981	Try storing it prism down in a warm place for a while.

07-28-2010, 07:11 AM	#7
builttospill Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Utah, Idaho Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,398 Original Poster	Originally posted by Wheatfield Try storing it prism down in a warm place for a while. I placed the camera in my car with the windows up for the last 2 1/2 days in approximately 100 degree (37 C) weather outside. No luck, unfortunately.

07-29-2010, 06:31 AM	#8
Blue Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,377	Originally posted by builttospill I placed the camera in my car with the windows up for the last 2 1/2 days in approximately 100 degree (37 C) weather outside. No luck, unfortunately. He said a warm place, not an oven. Seriously, that thing probably needs a good cla with the lube being key for your problems.

07-29-2010, 06:32 AM	#9
Blue Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,377	Originally posted by stevebrot Eric's repairs are about $70-$100 including full CLA and return shipping. So the deal is even sweeter. Steve That may end being on the high side for Eric. Eric is good enough that he doesn't have to gouge. He has incredible institutional knowledge and a million hours of experience on manual focus Pentax gear.

08-01-2010, 03:02 PM	#10
dandaniel Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: San Francisco, California USA Posts: 48	Unless you really want to learn about repairing shutters, and unless you are willing to destroy some cameras in the process, I'd suggest that you just send it to Eric and get it over with. It's something worth learning, but it will cost you, time, tools, a camera or two... Or you pay someone and get on with using the camera for the next decade or more.

08-07-2010, 07:37 AM	#11
snapwell New Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: chicago, illinois, USA Posts: 23	Yesterday I looked to see if I could pull the top plate of my S2 (which was behaving exactly as you described.) I decided that I would need a real service manual first, so I pulled the bottom plate instead. Put 3 drops of Ronson LIghter Fluid on the 1st curtain adjuster; all speeds are now to spec and absolutely no trace of slowness in the 1st curtain. Bob Palmieri

08-09-2010, 09:34 AM	#12
builttospill Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Utah, Idaho Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,398 Original Poster	Thanks Bob, that's neat you were able to fix your S2. I had taken the front plates off and lubed the shutter curtain rail, but hadn't done the bottom plate. After removing it now, it was pretty dry. I put a couple drops of oil on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd curtain pinion shafts and snapped the shutter a few times with no problems. I figured it wasn't quite done yet, so I put it back in the "oven" upside down to let the lube do its thing. I'll put a roll of film through it later today if there's still no sticking.

08-09-2010, 09:54 AM	#13
Blue Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,377	I hope you guys realize that in the realm of cameras, a drop is a LOT!

08-09-2010, 10:20 AM	#14
builttospill Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Utah, Idaho Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,398 Original Poster	Yes, I read in the service manual about how many drops to put at each location. I didn't have a dropper, so I used my small screwdriver tip dipped in the oil to place the lubricant right where it needed to go.

08-11-2010, 08:29 AM	#15
builttospill Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Utah, Idaho Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,398 Original Poster	Well it must've worked. The camera is doing great now. Thanks for all your suggestions.