Pentax Auto 110

Walt T · 05-29-2012, 07:30 PM

Just signed on to the forum and introduced myself. I'm kind of a camera collector.
Today I picked up an Auto 110 with an 18mm Pan Focus, 70mm, and AF100 flash that appears to be in very good condition.
I have not yet gotten any film for it yet, or replaced the batteries. Here's my question...
In my searches somewhere I read the shutter wont cock without a film cartridge in place. This camera does not cock the shutter with the winding lever(no film in place), and the shutter is down blocking the viewfinder. As I understand from the manual I downloaded, the shutter raises when cocked and the mirror blocks the film until the release is fired.
I'm wondering if this behavior is correct, or is the little guy broken? I sure would like a peek through the lenses.
I only gave $10 for the package, and if it's not terribly expensive I'll get it fixed-or just add it to the collection as is.
Thanks for any help.

**jatrax** · 05-29-2012, 08:07 PM

Cannot help with the shutter behavior as I do not have one of those. However, 110 film has not been made since 2009. Still some old stock available but it is getting rare. Supposedly Lomography is bringing back a B&W cartridge but I have not seen it yet.

In good shape those cameras still sell for a fair amount especially if you have the whole kit with case and lenses.

twitch · 05-29-2012, 08:10 PM

Get it before it runs out 110 Film | Film Photography Project

**ashurbanipal** · 05-29-2012, 09:20 PM

I don't have any film for mine, but I can still see through the viewfinder and trip the shutter. Hate to say it but it sounds like something's not working properly.

MysteryOnion · 05-30-2012, 01:43 AM

Originally posted by Walt T

I read the shutter wont cock without a film cartridge in place. This camera does not cock the shutter with the winding lever(no film in place), and the shutter is down blocking the viewfinder. As I understand from the manual I downloaded, the shutter raises when cocked and the mirror blocks the film until the release is fired.

The shutter itself will cock and the mechanism will not stop but in stead continue to advance until the little hook tab finds the notch on the film. The advance is a double pump and then the shutter is allowed to fire. It is regulated by a small wheel like cam with a notch cut into it. When the advance brings around the notch, an index arm is allowed to move. So in short, without film, you can still dry firm the shutter to test it out and yes, the mirror is the shutter curtain.

Also, I just received my fresh rolls of film from Lomography this past Friday.

http://usa.shop.lomography.com/lomography-orca-110-bandw-film

Walt T · 05-30-2012, 02:17 PM

So should I pull the bottom off and see if I can find something wrong? It's a neat little camera, and I've only got $10 invested-nothing ventured, nothing gained. I guess I'll give it a shot.

MysteryOnion · 05-31-2012, 02:14 AM

Originally posted by Walt T

So should I pull the bottom off and see if I can find something wrong? It's a neat little camera, and I've only got $10 invested-nothing ventured, nothing gained. I guess I'll give it a shot.

Sorry Walt, I meant to respond to that part as well...

The problem is not actually found in the bottom but the mirror unit itself. If the mirror is moving with... lets say... no battery and just following the lever action, then there is a possible incorrectly installed linkage.

I am currently fixing an Auto 110 as well. First off you might want to look at the service manual. A very clear copy is at the Sub-miniature Users site...

Pentax Auto 110 Repair Manual

... have a look and get familiar with the parts.

I may be uploading steps up at my blog or even start a new blog about the Auto 110 soon?
My 110 needs the foam replaced and gooey stuff cleaned out as well as the shutter cocking rail cleaned. It is sort of a lot of details to really explain. I have another body that is just as messed up and it may be the parts donor.

So to answer... yes to bottom, but it may be deeper in than that.

Walt T · 05-31-2012, 03:18 PM

Thanks for the replies MO. Taking off the bottom is going to be a problem, as one of the little screws is stripped out from someone before me. Looking things over more closely, other screws have been removed but not dammaged. Don't know if I can get an EasyOut that tiny or not. The camera has no batteries, will that effect mirror/shutter operation?
Even if worse comes to worst, I'll pick up another body and have a parts donor.
Thanks again for the help.

MysteryOnion · 06-01-2012, 02:34 AM

Originally posted by Walt T

The camera has no batteries, will that effect mirror/shutter operation?

The shutters are govern by an electro-magnet... yes. For the screw, one trick is to take a sharp flat tip and rock it in the remnant slot to make a deeper grove and then that should be enough purchase to remove, but do not force. If it is very stuck, then corrosion might have made it stuck. Cotton swab/bud/sticks and solvent may be needed and dab a bit at a time to seep it in and let sit... make sure the solvent is safe on plastic. Normally heat would be suggested, but again... plastic.

Walt T · 06-03-2012, 05:45 AM

Well, I got the top and bottom covers off. As I suspected, it's been open before and a ham fisted repair attempt made. Plier and pry marks, so I guess it's a parts camera now. No biggie, I'll save my pennies and pick up another kit down the road. Thanks for the help all!

MysteryOnion · 06-03-2012, 02:16 PM

Originally posted by Walt T

it's been open before and a ham fisted repair attempt made

Do you think you can post a picture of the remains?

revdocjim · 06-10-2012, 06:00 AM

Originally posted by MysteryOnion

The shutter itself will cock and the mechanism will not stop but in stead continue to advance until the little hook tab finds the notch on the film. The advance is a double pump and then the shutter is allowed to fire. It is regulated by a small wheel like cam with a notch cut into it. When the advance brings around the notch, an index arm is allowed to move. So in short, without film, you can still dry firm the shutter to test it out and yes, the mirror is the shutter curtain.

Also, I just received my fresh rolls of film from Lomography this past Friday.

http://usa.shop.lomography.com/lomography-orca-110-bandw-film

Thanks for the link. This is the first I'd heard of the new film. Very encouraging!

MysteryOnion · 06-12-2012, 10:10 AM

So I've been well under way with that little blog. I started beginning of June and will put the remaining work on the shelf if I don't finish by around Mid-July to go to the next camera.

Mystery Onion's Project Spotlight - Pentax Auto 110

wombat2go · 06-23-2012, 07:32 AM

Walt or anybody:
I am experimenting with home machined adaptors for auto 110 lenses to M43
I would like to know the distance in mm from the lens mount flange back to the aperture diaphragm in the Pentax auto 110 body.
This is so I can position my stop more correctly as this affects sharpness.
Thanks

LFLee · 06-23-2012, 07:42 AM

110 film is coming back, lomography is producing them and they have introduce two new cameras using 110 film.
So no worry for film at least for a while.

05-29-2012, 07:30 PM	#1
Walt T New Member Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 5	Pentax Auto 110 Just signed on to the forum and introduced myself. I'm kind of a camera collector. Today I picked up an Auto 110 with an 18mm Pan Focus, 70mm, and AF100 flash that appears to be in very good condition. I have not yet gotten any film for it yet, or replaced the batteries. Here's my question... In my searches somewhere I read the shutter wont cock without a film cartridge in place. This camera does not cock the shutter with the winding lever(no film in place), and the shutter is down blocking the viewfinder. As I understand from the manual I downloaded, the shutter raises when cocked and the mirror blocks the film until the release is fired. I'm wondering if this behavior is correct, or is the little guy broken? I sure would like a peek through the lenses. I only gave $10 for the package, and if it's not terribly expensive I'll get it fixed-or just add it to the collection as is. Thanks for any help.

05-30-2012, 01:43 AM	#5
MysteryOnion Giveaway winner! Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: beantown Photos: Albums Posts: 944	Originally posted by Walt T I read the shutter wont cock without a film cartridge in place. This camera does not cock the shutter with the winding lever(no film in place), and the shutter is down blocking the viewfinder. As I understand from the manual I downloaded, the shutter raises when cocked and the mirror blocks the film until the release is fired. The shutter itself will cock and the mechanism will not stop but in stead continue to advance until the little hook tab finds the notch on the film. The advance is a double pump and then the shutter is allowed to fire. It is regulated by a small wheel like cam with a notch cut into it. When the advance brings around the notch, an index arm is allowed to move. So in short, without film, you can still dry firm the shutter to test it out and yes, the mirror is the shutter curtain. Also, I just received my fresh rolls of film from Lomography this past Friday. http://usa.shop.lomography.com/lomography-orca-110-bandw-film Last edited by MysteryOnion; 05-30-2012 at 08:09 AM.

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05-29-2012, 08:07 PM	#2
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,991	Cannot help with the shutter behavior as I do not have one of those. However, 110 film has not been made since 2009. Still some old stock available but it is getting rare. Supposedly Lomography is bringing back a B&W cartridge but I have not seen it yet. In good shape those cameras still sell for a fair amount especially if you have the whole kit with case and lenses.

05-29-2012, 08:10 PM	#3
twitch Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 4,571	Get it before it runs out 110 Film \| Film Photography Project

05-29-2012, 09:20 PM	#4
ashurbanipal Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Lincoln, Nebraska Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 515	I don't have any film for mine, but I can still see through the viewfinder and trip the shutter. Hate to say it but it sounds like something's not working properly.

05-30-2012, 02:17 PM	#6
Walt T New Member Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 5 Original Poster	So should I pull the bottom off and see if I can find something wrong? It's a neat little camera, and I've only got $10 invested-nothing ventured, nothing gained. I guess I'll give it a shot.

05-31-2012, 02:14 AM	#7
MysteryOnion Giveaway winner! Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: beantown Photos: Albums Posts: 944	Originally posted by Walt T So should I pull the bottom off and see if I can find something wrong? It's a neat little camera, and I've only got $10 invested-nothing ventured, nothing gained. I guess I'll give it a shot. Sorry Walt, I meant to respond to that part as well... The problem is not actually found in the bottom but the mirror unit itself. If the mirror is moving with... lets say... no battery and just following the lever action, then there is a possible incorrectly installed linkage. I am currently fixing an Auto 110 as well. First off you might want to look at the service manual. A very clear copy is at the Sub-miniature Users site... Pentax Auto 110 Repair Manual ... have a look and get familiar with the parts. I may be uploading steps up at my blog or even start a new blog about the Auto 110 soon? My 110 needs the foam replaced and gooey stuff cleaned out as well as the shutter cocking rail cleaned. It is sort of a lot of details to really explain. I have another body that is just as messed up and it may be the parts donor. So to answer... yes to bottom, but it may be deeper in than that.

05-31-2012, 03:18 PM	#8
Walt T New Member Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 5 Original Poster	Thanks for the replies MO. Taking off the bottom is going to be a problem, as one of the little screws is stripped out from someone before me. Looking things over more closely, other screws have been removed but not dammaged. Don't know if I can get an EasyOut that tiny or not. The camera has no batteries, will that effect mirror/shutter operation? Even if worse comes to worst, I'll pick up another body and have a parts donor. Thanks again for the help.

06-01-2012, 02:34 AM	#9
MysteryOnion Giveaway winner! Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: beantown Photos: Albums Posts: 944	Originally posted by Walt T The camera has no batteries, will that effect mirror/shutter operation? The shutters are govern by an electro-magnet... yes. For the screw, one trick is to take a sharp flat tip and rock it in the remnant slot to make a deeper grove and then that should be enough purchase to remove, but do not force. If it is very stuck, then corrosion might have made it stuck. Cotton swab/bud/sticks and solvent may be needed and dab a bit at a time to seep it in and let sit... make sure the solvent is safe on plastic. Normally heat would be suggested, but again... plastic.

06-03-2012, 05:45 AM	#10
Walt T New Member Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 5 Original Poster	Well, I got the top and bottom covers off. As I suspected, it's been open before and a ham fisted repair attempt made. Plier and pry marks, so I guess it's a parts camera now. No biggie, I'll save my pennies and pick up another kit down the road. Thanks for the help all!

06-03-2012, 02:16 PM	#11
MysteryOnion Giveaway winner! Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: beantown Photos: Albums Posts: 944	Originally posted by Walt T it's been open before and a ham fisted repair attempt made Do you think you can post a picture of the remains?

06-10-2012, 06:00 AM	#12
revdocjim Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Mt. Akagi, Gunma Prefecture Posts: 374	Originally posted by MysteryOnion The shutter itself will cock and the mechanism will not stop but in stead continue to advance until the little hook tab finds the notch on the film. The advance is a double pump and then the shutter is allowed to fire. It is regulated by a small wheel like cam with a notch cut into it. When the advance brings around the notch, an index arm is allowed to move. So in short, without film, you can still dry firm the shutter to test it out and yes, the mirror is the shutter curtain. Also, I just received my fresh rolls of film from Lomography this past Friday. http://usa.shop.lomography.com/lomography-orca-110-bandw-film Thanks for the link. This is the first I'd heard of the new film. Very encouraging!

06-12-2012, 10:10 AM	#13
MysteryOnion Giveaway winner! Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: beantown Photos: Albums Posts: 944	So I've been well under way with that little blog. I started beginning of June and will put the remaining work on the shelf if I don't finish by around Mid-July to go to the next camera. Mystery Onion's Project Spotlight - Pentax Auto 110

06-23-2012, 07:32 AM	#14
wombat2go Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Michigan Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,207	Walt or anybody: I am experimenting with home machined adaptors for auto 110 lenses to M43 I would like to know the distance in mm from the lens mount flange back to the aperture diaphragm in the Pentax auto 110 body. This is so I can position my stop more correctly as this affects sharpness. Thanks

06-23-2012, 07:42 AM	#15
LFLee Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Southern California Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,292	110 film is coming back, lomography is producing them and they have introduce two new cameras using 110 film. So no worry for film at least for a while.