How do I fix my camera?

JamesReid · 04-08-2010, 01:38 PM

The doors on my MZ50/ZX50 behind the mirror no longer open but the film still advances. I looked it up and there is apparently a nylon gear that is worn. I found out that it costs between $150 and $300 to repair.

Is it easy to repair? Is this even the right problem? Is it worth repairing it?

Adam · 04-08-2010, 02:03 PM

Thread moved to the Film SLR section.

Peter Zack · 04-08-2010, 02:08 PM

Who gave you the quote? We alsways recommend Eric Home Fair prices and great work. Maybe send him an email to ask about the issue.

JamesReid · 04-08-2010, 03:57 PM

There was no real quote. The price range is from looking up the issue and is what other people have paid to have it fixed at various places.

Peter Zack · 04-08-2010, 05:20 PM

Get in touch with Eric. He's a good guy and everyone is happy with his work.

unixrevolution · 04-08-2010, 06:51 PM

Originally posted by Peter Zack

Get in touch with Eric. He's a good guy and everyone is happy with his work.

Does Eric even do AF cameras? I thought he only did Super Program and earlier.

he did a bang-up job on my Asahi SV

Wheatfield · 04-08-2010, 07:27 PM

How much will it cost to just buy another camera?
I'm thinking that is the route you should go. The MZ film cameras aren't all that well built anyway.

Ratmagiclady · 04-08-2010, 07:34 PM

Another example of that camera (Or a different model) would likely indeed be cheaper. If you're attached to that particular one, then, maybe a repair would be possible, but they didn't tend to be 'built to be fixed.'

If a nylon gear is gone, (I see no particular reason to doubt this) you might well expect to find a working camera before you found a good nylon gear.

(But, of course, Eric may be able to help. Cause he's that cool.

)

Pentaxie · 04-08-2010, 08:40 PM

Originally posted by Wheatfield

How much will it cost to just buy another camera?
I'm thinking that is the route you should go. The MZ film cameras aren't all that well built anyway.

I believe a film SLR is cheap at the moment since the digital camera has swept the amera market todate.
One can find a bargain through ebay or those shops selling used items like photography equipment.
I was told a medium format camera (using film) can be bought cheaply too.

ddhytz · 04-08-2010, 09:58 PM

Originally posted by Pentaxie

I believe a film SLR is cheap at the moment since the digital camera has swept the amera market todate.
One can find a bargain through ebay or those shops selling used items like photography equipment.
I was told a medium format camera (using film) can be bought cheaply too.

Not really, film cameras could be expensive. For example have a look at Rolleiflex 2.8F, hasselblad 503cx, etc. even Pentax LX, They are not cheap.

Ratmagiclady · 04-08-2010, 10:04 PM

Originally posted by ddhytz

Not really, film cameras could be expensive. For example have a look at Rolleiflex 2.8F, hasselblad 503cx, etc. even Pentax LX, They are not cheap.

Well, you can have *a* film camera that cheaply, not *any* film camera that cheaply. While there may be fewer people shooting that film today, those that do still want, oh, I dunno, Hassies and the best Rolleis. Go figure.

Now, if you'd like a Mamiya..... Bronica...? Not so hard.

I never owned my own medium format stuff when I was using it for *pay.* Now? Can have.

edumad · 04-09-2010, 01:24 AM

You can buy a film camera for far less than that nowadays. That repair price seems high, but you are still better off buying a new used camera.
Unless it has sentimental value that is...

JamesReid · 04-09-2010, 03:24 PM

There's no real sentimental value. I bought it when I was at college 12 years ago and about 2 months ago it stopped working. All I really want is to get it back in working order. Other that this, I've never had any issues with it. Now though, I'm looking at getting a K20D. Film cameras are just hard to find these days.

little laker · 04-09-2010, 05:04 PM

In the last 8 months I've bought 3 almost perfect 35mm Pentax SLR's for less than $100.00. I can't imagine spending much to fix them, if something goes wrong

Swift1 · 04-10-2010, 02:48 PM

I just got a quote from Eric to fix a ZX-5n that is having the same problem.
He does fix them but I think it is definetly less expensive to buy a working one.
Especially the ZX/MZ 30/50 bodies.
KEH is selling an EX+ ZX-30 for $27

Swift1

04-08-2010, 01:38 PM	#1
JamesReid New Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Seattle Posts: 7	How do I fix my camera? The doors on my MZ50/ZX50 behind the mirror no longer open but the film still advances. I looked it up and there is apparently a nylon gear that is worn. I found out that it costs between $150 and $300 to repair. Is it easy to repair? Is this even the right problem? Is it worth repairing it?

04-08-2010, 02:03 PM	#2
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,597	Thread moved to the Film SLR section. Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Is it possible to fix my in-camera flash?(k10d)	Akiou	Troubleshooting and Beginner Help	7	01-17-2010 09:25 AM
Any fix for this?	photolady95	Photo Critique	20	06-26-2009 07:23 PM
Can I fix this with PP	MaKettle	Digital Processing, Software, and Printing	8	04-29-2009 06:18 AM
how to fix my F 50 f/1.7	Bas.K	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	6	05-15-2008 05:54 AM
Please help me fix this camera..my mother in law dropped it...	shaolin95	General Talk	13	04-08-2008 07:44 AM

04-08-2010, 02:08 PM	#3
Peter Zack Pentaxian Moderator Emeritus Join Date: May 2007 Location: Edmonton Alberta, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 10,643	Who gave you the quote? We alsways recommend Eric Home Fair prices and great work. Maybe send him an email to ask about the issue.

04-08-2010, 03:57 PM	#4
JamesReid New Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Seattle Posts: 7 Original Poster	There was no real quote. The price range is from looking up the issue and is what other people have paid to have it fixed at various places.

04-08-2010, 05:20 PM	#5
Peter Zack Pentaxian Moderator Emeritus Join Date: May 2007 Location: Edmonton Alberta, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 10,643	Get in touch with Eric. He's a good guy and everyone is happy with his work.

04-08-2010, 06:51 PM	#6
unixrevolution Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Waldorf, MD Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,861	Originally posted by Peter Zack Get in touch with Eric. He's a good guy and everyone is happy with his work. Does Eric even do AF cameras? I thought he only did Super Program and earlier. he did a bang-up job on my Asahi SV

04-08-2010, 07:27 PM	#7
Wheatfield Moderator Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: The wheatfields of Canada Posts: 15,986	How much will it cost to just buy another camera? I'm thinking that is the route you should go. The MZ film cameras aren't all that well built anyway.

04-08-2010, 07:34 PM	#8
Ratmagiclady Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: GA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 13,563	Another example of that camera (Or a different model) would likely indeed be cheaper. If you're attached to that particular one, then, maybe a repair would be possible, but they didn't tend to be 'built to be fixed.' If a nylon gear is gone, (I see no particular reason to doubt this) you might well expect to find a working camera before you found a good nylon gear. (But, of course, Eric may be able to help. Cause he's that cool. )

04-08-2010, 08:40 PM	#9
Pentaxie Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Kuala Lumpur Malaysia Photos: Gallery Posts: 429	Originally posted by Wheatfield How much will it cost to just buy another camera? I'm thinking that is the route you should go. The MZ film cameras aren't all that well built anyway. I believe a film SLR is cheap at the moment since the digital camera has swept the amera market todate. One can find a bargain through ebay or those shops selling used items like photography equipment. I was told a medium format camera (using film) can be bought cheaply too.

04-08-2010, 09:58 PM	#10
ddhytz Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Melbourne Posts: 602	Originally posted by Pentaxie I believe a film SLR is cheap at the moment since the digital camera has swept the amera market todate. One can find a bargain through ebay or those shops selling used items like photography equipment. I was told a medium format camera (using film) can be bought cheaply too. Not really, film cameras could be expensive. For example have a look at Rolleiflex 2.8F, hasselblad 503cx, etc. even Pentax LX, They are not cheap.

04-08-2010, 10:04 PM	#11
Ratmagiclady Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: GA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 13,563	Originally posted by ddhytz Not really, film cameras could be expensive. For example have a look at Rolleiflex 2.8F, hasselblad 503cx, etc. even Pentax LX, They are not cheap. Well, you can have a film camera that cheaply, not any film camera that cheaply. While there may be fewer people shooting that film today, those that do still want, oh, I dunno, Hassies and the best Rolleis. Go figure. Now, if you'd like a Mamiya..... Bronica...? Not so hard. I never owned my own medium format stuff when I was using it for pay. Now? Can have.

04-09-2010, 01:24 AM	#12
edumad Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: UK Posts: 167	You can buy a film camera for far less than that nowadays. That repair price seems high, but you are still better off buying a new used camera. Unless it has sentimental value that is...

04-09-2010, 03:24 PM	#13
JamesReid New Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Seattle Posts: 7 Original Poster	There's no real sentimental value. I bought it when I was at college 12 years ago and about 2 months ago it stopped working. All I really want is to get it back in working order. Other that this, I've never had any issues with it. Now though, I'm looking at getting a K20D. Film cameras are just hard to find these days.

04-09-2010, 05:04 PM	#14
little laker Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,697	In the last 8 months I've bought 3 almost perfect 35mm Pentax SLR's for less than $100.00. I can't imagine spending much to fix them, if something goes wrong

04-10-2010, 02:48 PM	#15
Swift1 Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Oregon Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,079	I just got a quote from Eric to fix a ZX-5n that is having the same problem. He does fix them but I think it is definetly less expensive to buy a working one. Especially the ZX/MZ 30/50 bodies. KEH is selling an EX+ ZX-30 for $27 Swift1