Pentax MZ-7 mirror motor compatibility

lonerider41life · 05-24-2018, 11:48 AM

Hello,
Last day I bought two Pentax SLR cameras: Pentax MZ-5N and Pentax MZ-7, only bodies.
Pentax MZ-5N is fully functional (only flash spring broken - known issue and some scratches in viewfinder eye)
The second one, Pentax MZ-7, have a locked mirror up and some pictograms on LCD when power on. I unscrew some covers and unlock mirror and aperture lever, screw back and power on, set on AUTO PICT, focusing on something and triggered one. At the second trigger, the mirror remain locked up. No film in camera.
I never found discussion about mirror motor compatibility between two cameras and I want to move motor from MZ-5N to MZ-7 and make the last one fully functional.
Could anyone tell me if these motors are compatible? Thank you.

George.

**twilhelm** · 05-24-2018, 12:00 PM

They should be identical, I believe all the MZ series use the same motor. Be forewarned though, it’s not actually the motor, but the plastic gear on the motor which fails. The gear will split and will spin on the shaft. There is still a company in Germany which has made brass gears that match. I found a link to the company searching threads on the issue here. They do ship worldwide.

lonerider41life · 05-24-2018, 12:18 PM

Thank you for answer. I read about plastic gear failure and I want to move entire motor, whit its gear...

Not a Number · 05-24-2018, 02:14 PM - **1 Like**

You can order a compatible replacement pinion gear:

Failed MZ-M: Plastic Gear Issue? - PentaxForums.com

Eyewanders · 05-29-2018, 10:56 AM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by lonerider41life

Thank you for answer. I read about plastic gear failure and I want to move entire motor, whit its gear...

If you're already planning performing surgery at that level, I would replace the gear at the same time with metal. Otherwise it is only a matter of time before you have to go into it all over again.

---------- Post added 05-29-18 at 10:58 AM ----------

Originally posted by Not a Number

You can order a compatible replacement pinion gear:

Failed MZ-M: Plastic Gear Issue? - PentaxForums.com

I ordered the gear for my MZ-3 about 2 or 3 years ago but never performed the swap as the MZ-3 continues to work fine. This reminds me... I really need to figure out what I have done with that gear and label it properly so it doesn't take me 2 weeks to find it when needed!

05-24-2018, 11:48 AM	#1
lonerider41life Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: Alba Iulia, AB Posts: 41	Pentax MZ-7 mirror motor compatibility Hello, Last day I bought two Pentax SLR cameras: Pentax MZ-5N and Pentax MZ-7, only bodies. Pentax MZ-5N is fully functional (only flash spring broken - known issue and some scratches in viewfinder eye) The second one, Pentax MZ-7, have a locked mirror up and some pictograms on LCD when power on. I unscrew some covers and unlock mirror and aperture lever, screw back and power on, set on AUTO PICT, focusing on something and triggered one. At the second trigger, the mirror remain locked up. No film in camera. I never found discussion about mirror motor compatibility between two cameras and I want to move motor from MZ-5N to MZ-7 and make the last one fully functional. Could anyone tell me if these motors are compatible? Thank you. George.

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05-24-2018, 12:00 PM	#2
twilhelm Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Florida Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,369	They should be identical, I believe all the MZ series use the same motor. Be forewarned though, it’s not actually the motor, but the plastic gear on the motor which fails. The gear will split and will spin on the shaft. There is still a company in Germany which has made brass gears that match. I found a link to the company searching threads on the issue here. They do ship worldwide.

05-24-2018, 12:18 PM	#3
lonerider41life Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: Alba Iulia, AB Posts: 41 Original Poster	Thank you for answer. I read about plastic gear failure and I want to move entire motor, whit its gear...

05-24-2018, 02:14 PM - 1 Like	#4
Not a Number Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Venice, CA Posts: 10,526	You can order a compatible replacement pinion gear: Failed MZ-M: Plastic Gear Issue? - PentaxForums.com

05-29-2018, 10:56 AM - 2 Likes	#5
Eyewanders Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Land of the Salish Sea Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,343	Originally posted by lonerider41life Thank you for answer. I read about plastic gear failure and I want to move entire motor, whit its gear... If you're already planning performing surgery at that level, I would replace the gear at the same time with metal. Otherwise it is only a matter of time before you have to go into it all over again. ---------- Post added 05-29-18 at 10:58 AM ---------- Originally posted by Not a Number You can order a compatible replacement pinion gear: Failed MZ-M: Plastic Gear Issue? - PentaxForums.com I ordered the gear for my MZ-3 about 2 or 3 years ago but never performed the swap as the MZ-3 continues to work fine. This reminds me... I really need to figure out what I have done with that gear and label it properly so it doesn't take me 2 weeks to find it when needed!