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cali92rs · 08-15-2011, 08:51 PM

So my grandfather gave me a zx-5, which has been unused for god knows how long. My question is, what should I do regarding maintenance before I fire off a few rolls? The mirror looks dirty, so I want to clean that and I know it needs new batteries, but nothing else comes to mind

sagiboy · 08-15-2011, 09:38 PM

If it powers on, meters fine and shutter looks good...spend couple of bucks on a roll and test it.....Good luck...

JohnX · 08-16-2011, 03:55 AM

Be very careful with the mirror. Use a blower to remove dust, etc, but be aware that the silvering is on the top of the glass and is easily scratched.

Other than that, check foam seals around the camera back and the mirror.

frank · 08-16-2011, 08:01 AM

If it hasn't been used for a long time, it's very likely that the mirror would stuck on the very first shot. Then you'd need to get it fixed (by changing the mirror flipping motor). Sorry that's what's gonna happen to most MZ/ZX series camears (except MZ-S).

Good luck.

violini · 08-16-2011, 08:01 AM

I use a camel hair brush, blow the hair with air or brush it on your skin to produce charge, then lightly go over the focus screen and mirror. There is no light seal on the camera back. Test the auto focus and then fire the shutter several times (without film) to make sure the mirror works. The only problem you can expect is the plastic gear on the mirror motor shaft may break resulting in mirror locked up. If the camera passes the test, then load the film.

cali92rs · 08-16-2011, 08:50 AM

Awesome, thanks for the tips

I haven't shot film since my high school photography class, so I am looking forward to it!

cali92rs · 08-16-2011, 04:13 PM

Yay, the mirror seems to be flipping correctly, for now (knocks on wood). Gotta load up some film now

Sluggo · 08-16-2011, 07:18 PM

Also keep in mind that a dirty mirror, while being a possible annoyance while composing shots, has no effect whatever on the pictures. Just have some fun, and see how the test roll comes out before worrying about the fine points.

It's always great fun checking out an SLR.

08-15-2011, 08:51 PM	#1
cali92rs Veteran Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Long Beach, CA Posts: 3,354	ZX-5 maintenance So my grandfather gave me a zx-5, which has been unused for god knows how long. My question is, what should I do regarding maintenance before I fire off a few rolls? The mirror looks dirty, so I want to clean that and I know it needs new batteries, but nothing else comes to mind

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08-15-2011, 09:38 PM	#2
sagiboy Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: LI Posts: 230	If it powers on, meters fine and shutter looks good...spend couple of bucks on a roll and test it.....Good luck...

08-16-2011, 03:55 AM	#3
JohnX Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: London Posts: 1,116	Be *very* careful with the mirror. Use a blower to remove dust, etc, but be aware that the silvering is on the top of the glass and is easily scratched. Other than that, check foam seals around the camera back and the mirror.

08-16-2011, 08:01 AM	#4
frank Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Singapore Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,202	If it hasn't been used for a long time, it's very likely that the mirror would stuck on the very first shot. Then you'd need to get it fixed (by changing the mirror flipping motor). Sorry that's what's gonna happen to most MZ/ZX series camears (except MZ-S). Good luck.

08-16-2011, 08:01 AM	#5
violini Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Winnipeg MB Photos: Gallery Posts: 350	I use a camel hair brush, blow the hair with air or brush it on your skin to produce charge, then lightly go over the focus screen and mirror. There is no light seal on the camera back. Test the auto focus and then fire the shutter several times (without film) to make sure the mirror works. The only problem you can expect is the plastic gear on the mirror motor shaft may break resulting in mirror locked up. If the camera passes the test, then load the film.

08-16-2011, 08:50 AM	#6
cali92rs Veteran Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Long Beach, CA Posts: 3,354 Original Poster	Awesome, thanks for the tips I haven't shot film since my high school photography class, so I am looking forward to it!

08-16-2011, 04:13 PM	#7
cali92rs Veteran Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Long Beach, CA Posts: 3,354 Original Poster	Yay, the mirror seems to be flipping correctly, for now (knocks on wood). Gotta load up some film now

08-16-2011, 07:18 PM	#8
Sluggo Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Ames, Iowa Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 774	Also keep in mind that a dirty mirror, while being a possible annoyance while composing shots, has no effect whatever on the pictures. Just have some fun, and see how the test roll comes out before worrying about the fine points. It's always great fun checking out an SLR.

ZX-5 maintenance

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