Self Timer Stuck

gloco · 12-29-2018, 09:36 AM

I have this Asachi Pentax Spotmatic F passed on to be my father. The camera has a problem which is the battery does not work so I cannot use automodus but it works well manually. I found out it can be fixed. Basically the battery does not work because of a little fault, it doesn't give the electricity. Now I have a question regarding the self timer. I pressed the self timer downwards and when i press the little button it doesn't move. Is the self timer also reliant on a battery or is it simply stuck? Please see attached pic

Attached Images

**sergysergy** · 12-29-2018, 11:03 AM

the timer doesn't rely on the battery so it might be stuck

**blumoon722** · 12-29-2018, 11:50 AM

I would try a couple of drops of lighter fluid on the button and even under the timer switch.
You could also try flicking the timer switch down and letting it spring up. Keep doing it for awhile. It might free it up.
Another thing you could try is heating it up a bit with a hair dryer.

nickthetasmaniac · 12-29-2018, 11:52 AM

G’day and welcome to the forums 😊 That’s a wonderful Spotmatic you have inherited!

Originally posted by gloco

I have this Asachi Pentax Spotmatic F passed on to be my father. The camera has a problem which is the battery does not work so I cannot use automodus but it works well manually.

The Spotmatic F is a fully manual camera and does not have any auto modes. Even if the battery works all it does is power the light meter - you will still need to manually change the aperture and shutter speed.

Quote:

Now I have a question regarding the self timer. I pressed the self timer downwards and when i press the little button it doesn't move. Is the self timer also reliant on a battery or is it simply stuck? Please see attached pic

The self timer is mechanical, so it doesn’t need batteries. On older cameras that haven’t been used in a while it’s common for self-timers to get gummed up and fail through lack of use...

gloco · 12-29-2018, 03:42 PM

Originally posted by nickthetasmaniac

G’day and welcome to the forums 😊 That’s a wonderful Spotmatic you have inherited!

The Spotmatic F is a fully manual camera and does not have any auto modes. Even if the battery works all it does is power the light meter - you will still need to manually change the aperture and shutter speed.

The self timer is mechanical, so it doesn’t need batteries. On older cameras that haven’t been used in a while it’s common for self-timers to get gummed up and fail through lack of use...

Thank you very much. As you can see I am a novice but I am trying to learn

I got it unstuck in the meanwhile. I used a little lube as mentioned and pressed the start button and the timer went back to its place. However now when I press the timer down again it immediately comes back again without me pressing the start button. Shouldn't it stay down until I press the start button? I am attaching a little video I uploaded on youtube.

You Tube

**blumoon722** · 12-29-2018, 04:43 PM

Did the little silver button pop back up after the first test in the video?
Or did you accidently push it down when you reset the timer?

Xmas · 12-30-2018, 03:29 AM

Originally posted by gloco

Thank you very much. As you can see I am a novice but I am trying to learn

I got it unstuck in the meanwhile. I used a little lube as mentioned and pressed the start button and the timer went back to its place. However now when I press the timer down again it immediately comes back again without me pressing the start button. Shouldn't it stay down until I press the start button? I am attaching a little video I uploaded on youtube.
Self timer test - YouTube

The camera will work ok without an operational self timer!

I’d wait until it needs a service and then report it as a problem!

Lots use a K1000 cause it does not have a self timer to go wrong!

gloco · 12-30-2018, 03:35 AM

Originally posted by blumoon722

Did the little silver button pop back up after the first test in the video?
Or did you accidently push it down when you reset the timer?

It pops up. From my understanding the self timer should stay down and cocked until i press that little button. Not sure whats wrong with it.

gloco · 12-30-2018, 03:38 AM

Originally posted by Xmas

The camera will work ok without an operational self timer!

I’d wait until it needs a service and then report it as a problem!

Lots use a K1000 cause it does not have a self timer to go wrong!

Thank you very much. Maybe I will take it to a technician to have a look.

nickthetasmaniac · 12-30-2018, 03:57 AM

Originally posted by gloco

Thank you very much. Maybe I will take it to a technician to have a look.

Where are you located? If it’s a camera with sentimental value it might be worth sending it off for a full service (CLA - clean, lube, adjust) - then it should work smoothly for years to come

gloco · 12-30-2018, 04:04 AM

Originally posted by nickthetasmaniac

Where are you located? If it’s a camera with sentimental value it might be worth sending it off for a full service (CLA - clean, lube, adjust) - then it should work smoothly for years to come

Athens, Greece. I think there is plenty of shops around here. Yes it's a lovely camera and I really want to use it

12-29-2018, 09:36 AM	#1
gloco New Member Join Date: Dec 2018 Posts: 5	Self Timer Stuck I have this Asachi Pentax Spotmatic F passed on to be my father. The camera has a problem which is the battery does not work so I cannot use automodus but it works well manually. I found out it can be fixed. Basically the battery does not work because of a little fault, it doesn't give the electricity. Now I have a question regarding the self timer. I pressed the self timer downwards and when i press the little button it doesn't move. Is the self timer also reliant on a battery or is it simply stuck? Please see attached pic Attached Images

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12-29-2018, 11:03 AM	#2
sergysergy Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2011 Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,171	the timer doesn't rely on the battery so it might be stuck

12-29-2018, 11:50 AM	#3
blumoon722 Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2015 Posts: 424	I would try a couple of drops of lighter fluid on the button and even under the timer switch. You could also try flicking the timer switch down and letting it spring up. Keep doing it for awhile. It might free it up. Another thing you could try is heating it up a bit with a hair dryer.

12-29-2018, 11:52 AM	#4
nickthetasmaniac Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 2,361	G’day and welcome to the forums 😊 That’s a wonderful Spotmatic you have inherited! Originally posted by gloco I have this Asachi Pentax Spotmatic F passed on to be my father. The camera has a problem which is the battery does not work so I cannot use automodus but it works well manually. The Spotmatic F is a fully manual camera and does not have any auto modes. Even if the battery works all it does is power the light meter - you will still need to manually change the aperture and shutter speed. Quote: Now I have a question regarding the self timer. I pressed the self timer downwards and when i press the little button it doesn't move. Is the self timer also reliant on a battery or is it simply stuck? Please see attached pic The self timer is mechanical, so it doesn’t need batteries. On older cameras that haven’t been used in a while it’s common for self-timers to get gummed up and fail through lack of use...

12-29-2018, 04:43 PM	#6
blumoon722 Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2015 Posts: 424	Did the little silver button pop back up after the first test in the video? Or did you accidently push it down when you reset the timer?

12-30-2018, 03:29 AM	#7
Xmas Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Posts: 617	Originally posted by gloco Thank you very much. As you can see I am a novice but I am trying to learn I got it unstuck in the meanwhile. I used a little lube as mentioned and pressed the start button and the timer went back to its place. However now when I press the timer down again it immediately comes back again without me pressing the start button. Shouldn't it stay down until I press the start button? I am attaching a little video I uploaded on youtube. Self timer test - YouTube The camera will work ok without an operational self timer! I’d wait until it needs a service and then report it as a problem! Lots use a K1000 cause it does not have a self timer to go wrong!

12-30-2018, 03:35 AM	#8
gloco New Member Join Date: Dec 2018 Posts: 5 Original Poster	Originally posted by blumoon722 Did the little silver button pop back up after the first test in the video? Or did you accidently push it down when you reset the timer? It pops up. From my understanding the self timer should stay down and cocked until i press that little button. Not sure whats wrong with it.

12-30-2018, 03:38 AM	#9
gloco New Member Join Date: Dec 2018 Posts: 5 Original Poster	Originally posted by Xmas The camera will work ok without an operational self timer! I’d wait until it needs a service and then report it as a problem! Lots use a K1000 cause it does not have a self timer to go wrong! Thank you very much. Maybe I will take it to a technician to have a look.

12-30-2018, 03:57 AM	#10
nickthetasmaniac Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 2,361	Originally posted by gloco Thank you very much. Maybe I will take it to a technician to have a look. Where are you located? If it’s a camera with sentimental value it might be worth sending it off for a full service (CLA - clean, lube, adjust) - then it should work smoothly for years to come

12-30-2018, 04:04 AM	#11
gloco New Member Join Date: Dec 2018 Posts: 5 Original Poster	Originally posted by nickthetasmaniac Where are you located? If it’s a camera with sentimental value it might be worth sending it off for a full service (CLA - clean, lube, adjust) - then it should work smoothly for years to come Athens, Greece. I think there is plenty of shops around here. Yes it's a lovely camera and I really want to use it