Pentax ESII mirror locked+slow shutter speeds not firing

AnalogLuis · 01-24-2021, 01:53 PM

Hi! I'm about to buy a Pentax ESII that needs repair and the ad says that the mirror sometimes gets stucked + the slow shutter speeds don't work. Any idea what could it be? Thanks a lot!

stevebrot · 01-24-2021, 02:12 PM - **1 Like**

Welcome to the Pentax Forums!

My Spotmatic F had similar symptoms when I got it and both were remedied as part of a routine CLA (Clean Lube Adjust) by a local camera repair.

Steve

Procrastinator · 01-25-2021, 02:11 PM - **1 Like**

Could be that the shutter is sluggish and not tripping the mirror. Pretty common in an old Spotmatic. Slow Speed escapement being gummed up also common. Plan to invest in a professional CLA.

AnalogLuis · 01-25-2021, 05:11 PM

Originally posted by stevebrot

Welcome to the Pentax Forums!

My Spotmatic F had similar symptoms when I got it and both were remedied as part of a routine CLA (Clean Lube Adjust) by a local camera repair.

Steve

Thanks guys, I was pretty worried I had to do something with the electronics and end up being a paperwight. She's on the way home. As soon as I have it CLA'd I'll update.
Luis

AnalogLuis · 01-28-2021, 09:20 AM

Well, shipment arrived home today. The camera looks mint condition. Tested a Few shots and yes, mirror stays up sometimes at high SS's and when shooting slow SS's never resturns tu its standard position. Electronics work, lighmeter seems just fine, maybe it underexposes for what I've tested with other lightmeter. I'll take it to get it CLA'd this weekend.
ps: Didn0t know the lightmeter only works in Auto mode. Overall, I'm happy with this camera, it's quite elegant.
Luis

womble · 01-28-2021, 03:10 PM

I have an ES and an ESII and although they are a bit basic compared to SLRs from even ten years later, I've always really liked mine. The ESII was a non-functioning "spares or repairs" buy that I had repaired, the ES has always worked (and I keep meaning to change the seals).

Enjoy, they are lovely cameras.

K.

AnalogLuis · 02-05-2021, 11:51 AM - **1 Like**

The ES II is back home. All it needed was a CLA ($70) and now I think she has to be in a museum. Everything works as it should, shutter and electronics. Thanks for the help my friends!

womble · 02-05-2021, 01:06 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by AnalogLuis

The ES II is back home. All it needed was a CLA ($70) and now I think she has to be in a museum. Everything works as it should, shutter and electronics. Thanks for the help my friends!

Yay. Great news. I'm very fond of my ESII and am heartened to hear this.

K.

01-24-2021, 01:53 PM	#1
AnalogLuis New Member Join Date: Jan 2021 Posts: 9	Pentax ESII mirror locked+slow shutter speeds not firing Hi! I'm about to buy a Pentax ESII that needs repair and the ad says that the mirror sometimes gets stucked + the slow shutter speeds don't work. Any idea what could it be? Thanks a lot!

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01-24-2021, 02:12 PM - 1 Like	#2
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Welcome to the Pentax Forums! My Spotmatic F had similar symptoms when I got it and both were remedied as part of a routine CLA (Clean Lube Adjust) by a local camera repair. Steve

01-25-2021, 02:11 PM - 1 Like	#3
Procrastinator New Member Join Date: Dec 2020 Location: DFW Texas Posts: 18	Could be that the shutter is sluggish and not tripping the mirror. Pretty common in an old Spotmatic. Slow Speed escapement being gummed up also common. Plan to invest in a professional CLA.

01-25-2021, 05:11 PM	#4
AnalogLuis New Member Join Date: Jan 2021 Posts: 9 Original Poster	Originally posted by stevebrot Welcome to the Pentax Forums! My Spotmatic F had similar symptoms when I got it and both were remedied as part of a routine CLA (Clean Lube Adjust) by a local camera repair. Steve Thanks guys, I was pretty worried I had to do something with the electronics and end up being a paperwight. She's on the way home. As soon as I have it CLA'd I'll update. Luis

01-28-2021, 09:20 AM	#5
AnalogLuis New Member Join Date: Jan 2021 Posts: 9 Original Poster	Well, shipment arrived home today. The camera looks mint condition. Tested a Few shots and yes, mirror stays up sometimes at high SS's and when shooting slow SS's never resturns tu its standard position. Electronics work, lighmeter seems just fine, maybe it underexposes for what I've tested with other lightmeter. I'll take it to get it CLA'd this weekend. ps: Didn0t know the lightmeter only works in Auto mode. Overall, I'm happy with this camera, it's quite elegant. Luis

01-28-2021, 03:10 PM	#6
womble Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Hertfordshire Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,324	I have an ES and an ESII and although they are a bit basic compared to SLRs from even ten years later, I've always really liked mine. The ESII was a non-functioning "spares or repairs" buy that I had repaired, the ES has always worked (and I keep meaning to change the seals). Enjoy, they are lovely cameras. K.

02-05-2021, 11:51 AM - 1 Like	#7
AnalogLuis New Member Join Date: Jan 2021 Posts: 9 Original Poster	The ES II is back home. All it needed was a CLA ($70) and now I think she has to be in a museum. Everything works as it should, shutter and electronics. Thanks for the help my friends!

02-05-2021, 01:06 PM - 1 Like	#8
womble Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Hertfordshire Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,324	Originally posted by AnalogLuis The ES II is back home. All it needed was a CLA ($70) and now I think she has to be in a museum. Everything works as it should, shutter and electronics. Thanks for the help my friends! Yay. Great news. I'm very fond of my ESII and am heartened to hear this. K.