Kinda Sticky Mirror Syndrome

Simian Summit · 08-30-2011, 07:24 PM - **1 Like**

I got an LX that sat for probably too long and unfortunately my excitement for it has been a little bit tempered. Like a good little boy I got it CLAed, and after the CLA it caught a case of sticky mirror syndrome, which my repair shop was good enough to take the camera back and clear up. However, now there's just one little extra issue. When the camera sits for a couple of hours there is a lag before the first shutter activation. Once the shutter is fired or the mirror lock up is used though, the camera is good to go. Has anyone experienced this? My repair shop is stumped.

frank · 08-30-2011, 08:02 PM

I guess your repair shop didn't do the CLA job properly (or thoroughly should I say). A full CLA requires the whole camera to be taken apart and cleaned/lubed inside and out, plus some proper adjustment. Even the famous Eric can't get the problem solved in one go sometimes...

Simian Summit · 08-31-2011, 03:36 AM

When I picked up the camera yesterday, the technician said that he had the whole mirror box apart and couldn't find the issue. Generally they do very nice work (although they don't have Eric's rep) and they are an authorized Pentax repair centre. So I assume that between the first CLA, the repair of the sticky mirror syndrome and their last diagnostic it was all apart at least once and cleaned.

**TomB_tx** · 08-31-2011, 03:50 AM

When mine was repaired they indicated the "mirror stop" had to be replaced to cure this - not the "bumper" at the top, but the "rest" that positions the mirror when down. That made sense, because the infinity focus in the viewscreen had also been off, indicating the mirror position was too far down. Sounds like the LX used a soft material in the stop to cushion the action, and it gets depressed and sticky.

builttospill · 08-31-2011, 12:56 PM

That's what my old LX does too. I have to fire the shutter a few times before it gets up to speed if I haven't used the camera in a while (about a month). The mirror stays up for the first shot or two, then works fine. It's never had a CLA though; one day I'll send it to Eric.

MysteryOnion · 08-31-2011, 11:04 PM

You might want to check to see if the two rubber part are correct. Put the LX in mirror lock up and inspect the round bumper as well as the tiny pad sitting on the arm.

Simian Summit · 09-05-2011, 08:22 PM

Thanks for the tips guys.

- MysteryOnion Thanks for the picture. I did check out my camera and it the rectangular pad was just changed when I had my sticky mirror syndrome issue I don't think that my round pad looks wet.

It looks like I may just have to live with this.

fearview · 09-06-2011, 02:44 AM

OOT please check this video

You Tube

is that describe exactly what we called as Sticky Mirror Syndrom?

.

08-30-2011, 07:24 PM - 1 Like	#1
Simian Summit Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Hamilton Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 146	Kinda Sticky Mirror Syndrome I got an LX that sat for probably too long and unfortunately my excitement for it has been a little bit tempered. Like a good little boy I got it CLAed, and after the CLA it caught a case of sticky mirror syndrome, which my repair shop was good enough to take the camera back and clear up. However, now there's just one little extra issue. When the camera sits for a couple of hours there is a lag before the first shutter activation. Once the shutter is fired or the mirror lock up is used though, the camera is good to go. Has anyone experienced this? My repair shop is stumped.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
LX sticky mirror fix	gouldrl	Troubleshooting and Beginner Help	16	11-27-2023 10:51 PM
Not Work-Safe Kinda NSFW, but not really.	Ed n Georgia	Post Your Photos!	8	11-03-2010 01:48 AM
Où faire réparer mon Sticky mirror (LX) à Paris (pas cher)?	Bringolf	Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras	6	10-17-2010 11:15 PM
Nature some kinda flower...	dcmsox2004	Post Your Photos!	2	05-21-2010 01:54 PM
first photo shoot ... kinda	pete_pf	Post Your Photos!	3	09-11-2009 07:43 PM

08-30-2011, 08:02 PM	#2
frank Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Singapore Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,202	I guess your repair shop didn't do the CLA job properly (or thoroughly should I say). A full CLA requires the whole camera to be taken apart and cleaned/lubed inside and out, plus some proper adjustment. Even the famous Eric can't get the problem solved in one go sometimes...

08-31-2011, 03:36 AM	#3
Simian Summit Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Hamilton Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 146 Original Poster	When I picked up the camera yesterday, the technician said that he had the whole mirror box apart and couldn't find the issue. Generally they do very nice work (although they don't have Eric's rep) and they are an authorized Pentax repair centre. So I assume that between the first CLA, the repair of the sticky mirror syndrome and their last diagnostic it was all apart at least once and cleaned.

08-31-2011, 03:50 AM	#4
TomB_tx Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Texas Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,446	When mine was repaired they indicated the "mirror stop" had to be replaced to cure this - not the "bumper" at the top, but the "rest" that positions the mirror when down. That made sense, because the infinity focus in the viewscreen had also been off, indicating the mirror position was too far down. Sounds like the LX used a soft material in the stop to cushion the action, and it gets depressed and sticky.

08-31-2011, 12:56 PM	#5
builttospill Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Utah, Idaho Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,398	That's what my old LX does too. I have to fire the shutter a few times before it gets up to speed if I haven't used the camera in a while (about a month). The mirror stays up for the first shot or two, then works fine. It's never had a CLA though; one day I'll send it to Eric.

08-31-2011, 11:04 PM	#6
MysteryOnion Giveaway winner! Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: beantown Photos: Albums Posts: 944	You might want to check to see if the two rubber part are correct. Put the LX in mirror lock up and inspect the round bumper as well as the tiny pad sitting on the arm.

09-05-2011, 08:22 PM	#7
Simian Summit Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Hamilton Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 146 Original Poster	Thanks for the tips guys. - MysteryOnion Thanks for the picture. I did check out my camera and it the rectangular pad was just changed when I had my sticky mirror syndrome issue I don't think that my round pad looks wet. It looks like I may just have to live with this.