Pentax S1a mirror stuck in up position when lens attached

Keith_Lightning · 06-27-2022, 01:33 PM

I have recently found and am trying to use my grandads old Pentax S1a film camera. For some reason when the lens is attached, at shutter speeds of less than 1/60, the mirror stays stuck in the up position.

Having messed about with it this only happens when the aperture pin is in the correct position infront of the plate at the bottom of the camera. When the pin is to the side the camera works just fine at all shutter speeds.

The aperture pin is unfortunately not entirely straight and I think this is what is causing the mirror to stick. I am unsure as to what to do about this and don't particularly like the idea of cutting off the aperture pin or trying to bend it back into place.

If anyone has any ideas on what I could do I would be very thankful

---------- Post added 06-27-22 at 01:53 PM ----------

Originally posted by Keith_Lightning

I have recently found and am trying to use my grandads old Pentax S1a film camera. For some reason when the lens is attached, at shutter speeds of less than 1/60, the mirror stays stuck in the up position.

Having messed about with it this only happens when the aperture pin is in the correct position infront of the plate at the bottom of the camera. When the pin is to the side the camera works just fine at all shutter speeds.

The aperture pin is unfortunately not entirely straight and I think this is what is causing the mirror to stick. I am unsure as to what to do about this and don't particularly like the idea of cutting off the aperture pin or trying to bend it back into place.

If anyone has any ideas on what I could do I would be very thankful

The lens is the Takumar 55mm f/2

**stanwi3** · 06-27-2022, 02:18 PM

WOW, this is a tough one.
I would think it is repairable by a professional. I might recommend the Asahi Photo at the following link:
Asahi Photo – Pentax Repair and Service

Good luck : )

**TwoUptons** · 06-27-2022, 02:45 PM

Does the aperture pin work the lens fine if you actuate it by hand?

The problem could be with the lens, not the camera...

Do you have a different lens you could try on it?

-Eric

Not a Number · 06-27-2022, 06:22 PM

That lens would probably be less expensive to replace than to repair professionally. DIY repair may not be to difficult to remove the pin and straighten it. A pin bent like could indicate the lens was dropped and there maybe more damage. The f/2 lens were the budget lenses and are fairly numerous.

Eyewanders · 06-27-2022, 08:46 PM

Originally posted by Keith_Lightning

I have recently found and am trying to use my grandads old Pentax S1a film camera. For some reason when the lens is attached, at shutter speeds of less than 1/60, the mirror stays stuck in the up position.

Having messed about with it this only happens when the aperture pin is in the correct position infront of the plate at the bottom of the camera. When the pin is to the side the camera works just fine at all shutter speeds.

The aperture pin is unfortunately not entirely straight and I think this is what is causing the mirror to stick. I am unsure as to what to do about this and don't particularly like the idea of cutting off the aperture pin or trying to bend it back into place.

If anyone has any ideas on what I could do I would be very thankful

---------- Post added 06-27-22 at 01:53 PM ----------

The lens is the Takumar 55mm f/2

I've had both an S1a and SV sorted out and CLA'd by Eric Hendrickson in the past. The S series and their Super Takumars are not complicated; they were some of the least expensive items I've sent him to have worked on and both arrived back good as gold.

Jonathan Mac · 06-28-2022, 01:58 AM

Takumar 55mm f/2s (and f/1.8s - same lens just a little faster) are easy to find and cheap. I'd recommend getting another one and trying it out.

Keith_Lightning · 06-29-2022, 10:41 AM

Originally posted by TwoUptons

Does the aperture pin work the lens fine if you actuate it by hand?

The problem could be with the lens, not the camera...

Do you have a different lens you could try on it?

-Eric

It does but it occasionally gets a bit stuck - I have only ever used it on manual mode though if that helps

Not a Number · 06-29-2022, 11:00 AM

Do you have any other Takumar lenses you could test the body with?

Keith_Lightning · 06-29-2022, 11:06 AM

Originally posted by Not a Number

Do you have any other Takumar lenses you could test the body with?

annoyingly no

I am currently in the process of looking for another one on eBay - thanks everyone for the advice!

06-27-2022, 01:33 PM	#1
Keith_Lightning New Member Join Date: Jun 2022 Posts: 3	Pentax S1a mirror stuck in up position when lens attached I have recently found and am trying to use my grandads old Pentax S1a film camera. For some reason when the lens is attached, at shutter speeds of less than 1/60, the mirror stays stuck in the up position. Having messed about with it this only happens when the aperture pin is in the correct position infront of the plate at the bottom of the camera. When the pin is to the side the camera works just fine at all shutter speeds. The aperture pin is unfortunately not entirely straight and I think this is what is causing the mirror to stick. I am unsure as to what to do about this and don't particularly like the idea of cutting off the aperture pin or trying to bend it back into place. If anyone has any ideas on what I could do I would be very thankful ---------- Post added 06-27-22 at 01:53 PM ---------- Originally posted by Keith_Lightning I have recently found and am trying to use my grandads old Pentax S1a film camera. For some reason when the lens is attached, at shutter speeds of less than 1/60, the mirror stays stuck in the up position. Having messed about with it this only happens when the aperture pin is in the correct position infront of the plate at the bottom of the camera. When the pin is to the side the camera works just fine at all shutter speeds. The aperture pin is unfortunately not entirely straight and I think this is what is causing the mirror to stick. I am unsure as to what to do about this and don't particularly like the idea of cutting off the aperture pin or trying to bend it back into place. If anyone has any ideas on what I could do I would be very thankful The lens is the Takumar 55mm f/2

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06-27-2022, 02:18 PM	#2
stanwi3 Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: Wisconsin Photos: Albums Posts: 322	WOW, this is a tough one. I would think it is repairable by a professional. I might recommend the Asahi Photo at the following link: Asahi Photo – Pentax Repair and Service Good luck : )

06-27-2022, 02:45 PM	#3
TwoUptons Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2015 Photos: Albums Posts: 4,214	Does the aperture pin work the lens fine if you actuate it by hand? The problem could be with the lens, not the camera... Do you have a different lens you could try on it? -Eric

06-27-2022, 06:22 PM	#4
Not a Number Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Venice, CA Posts: 10,526	That lens would probably be less expensive to replace than to repair professionally. DIY repair may not be to difficult to remove the pin and straighten it. A pin bent like could indicate the lens was dropped and there maybe more damage. The f/2 lens were the budget lenses and are fairly numerous.

06-27-2022, 08:46 PM	#5
Eyewanders Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Land of the Salish Sea Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,343	Originally posted by Keith_Lightning I have recently found and am trying to use my grandads old Pentax S1a film camera. For some reason when the lens is attached, at shutter speeds of less than 1/60, the mirror stays stuck in the up position. Having messed about with it this only happens when the aperture pin is in the correct position infront of the plate at the bottom of the camera. When the pin is to the side the camera works just fine at all shutter speeds. The aperture pin is unfortunately not entirely straight and I think this is what is causing the mirror to stick. I am unsure as to what to do about this and don't particularly like the idea of cutting off the aperture pin or trying to bend it back into place. If anyone has any ideas on what I could do I would be very thankful ---------- Post added 06-27-22 at 01:53 PM ---------- The lens is the Takumar 55mm f/2 I've had both an S1a and SV sorted out and CLA'd by Eric Hendrickson in the past. The S series and their Super Takumars are not complicated; they were some of the least expensive items I've sent him to have worked on and both arrived back good as gold.

06-28-2022, 01:58 AM	#6
Jonathan Mac Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Madrid, Spain Posts: 10,897	Takumar 55mm f/2s (and f/1.8s - same lens just a little faster) are easy to find and cheap. I'd recommend getting another one and trying it out.

06-29-2022, 10:41 AM	#7
Keith_Lightning New Member Join Date: Jun 2022 Posts: 3 Original Poster	Originally posted by TwoUptons Does the aperture pin work the lens fine if you actuate it by hand? The problem could be with the lens, not the camera... Do you have a different lens you could try on it? -Eric It does but it occasionally gets a bit stuck - I have only ever used it on manual mode though if that helps

06-29-2022, 11:00 AM	#8
Not a Number Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Venice, CA Posts: 10,526	Do you have any other Takumar lenses you could test the body with?

06-29-2022, 11:06 AM	#9
Keith_Lightning New Member Join Date: Jun 2022 Posts: 3 Original Poster	Originally posted by Not a Number Do you have any other Takumar lenses you could test the body with? annoyingly no I am currently in the process of looking for another one on eBay - thanks everyone for the advice!