MX and others: Mirror sticking up

kevinh · 03-01-2013, 03:47 AM

Hi all. This is my first post.

I have read several threads here and elsewhere, with a variety of explanation on why mirrors are sticking up. I considered every possibility put forward in the posts, but when I starting disassembling the camera I found that none of the theories put forward applied in my case.

I found that it is my curtain that is sticking. With the bottom of the camera off I can see that one lever is not returning to its pre shutter tripping position. If I push that lever into place the mirror drops and the curtain frame finishes moving into its intended hidden position.. After that when I move the lever by hand I find it is not the lever or governor that is the hangup because the gears of the governor move freely.

Just thought this info might help others in the way this forum has helped me in the past.

My next step is to tear into the camera further to see the entire curtain. I bought the MX I am working on cheap so if I screw up, oh well. I am finding working on cameras to be a very enjoyable little hobby and one that is very cheap when you consider how cheaply you can by the old film Pentax'es,

**arnold** · 03-01-2013, 04:09 AM

Don't waste an MX, they are classics well worth a professional fix.

**mattt** · 03-01-2013, 05:17 AM

I'm with Arnold. The issue may be a small piece that commonly breaks, falls further into the guts, then jams. It cost me $80 to do light seals and address the minor repairs

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/attachments/pentax-film-slr-discussion/16...d-imgp1419.jpg

kevinh · 03-01-2013, 05:36 AM - **1 Like**

I know this is a good model, but these classics are a dime a dozen on ebay so they can't be a great model (I paid $20): If it was an LX (selling broken for $150+), I wouldn't mess with it. My objective is to learn how to work on them, more than taking pictures with it although I would do that too. I just got a beautiful ES II with and fixed the lihjt meter because it's former owner was convinced he couldn't do it. I just don't see the point in paying $80 to fix a $50 camera. The other point is Eric did work on his first, second and third camera once. If the people around him assumed he'd fail, he wouldn't be fixing your cameras today.

wombat2go · 03-01-2013, 06:26 AM

Hi Kevin, ME Super arrived here
The shutter is closed and the mirror is stuck fully up.
The leds power up.
Where do I start?
Thanks!

stevebrot · 03-01-2013, 07:52 PM

Sticky mirror foam is the most common cause of this problem in film SLRs. That is why I generally caution to check the mirror bumper first when taking delivery of a new old camera.

Steve

wombat2go · 03-02-2013, 07:21 AM

On the ME Super I can move the mirror slightly and see a gap to the foam. The mirror is being held up mechanically

stevebrot · 03-02-2013, 09:26 AM

Originally posted by kevinh

If the people around him assumed he'd fail, he wouldn't be fixing your cameras today.

Eric is not self-taught. He is Pentax-trained and worked at their repair facility for 17 years (since 1979) and has a deep knowledge of the cameras that most of us are working with. Now, if you want to use a broken MX that your paid $20 for (appropriate price for an MX parts camera) as a means to learn a little about how cameras of that type work, please go for it and have a good time. If, on the other hand, you want to have your MX in working condition for a reasonable fee, Eric might be your best bet. Either way, I hope your have fun with your camera.

Steve

(...would personally tinker with a larger camera with similar workings...say a Spotmatic. The MX has some complicated innards. No sense turning a $75 repair into a $150 repair.)

**grhazelton** · 03-02-2013, 02:29 PM

Please heed the good advice above and learn repair trades on something less worthy! The MX is a classic. Have a look at Pentax Manual Focus Camera Bodies - KEH.com and you'll have some idea of its desireability. Find an old ME; they, while worthy cameras, can be got quite cheaply.

Eric just quoted me $70 a piece for working on my two MXs which have meter problems. Do understand that this was an email guesstimate, and he would have to see the camera for a firmer estimate. If you visit his site you'll see that that would include, I believe, a full CLA. My understanding is that Eric's work is the best. Thus for $90 you could have a fully functioning classic.

vladimiroltean · 03-02-2013, 02:59 PM

Originally posted by kevinh

I know this is a good model, but these classics are a dime a dozen on ebay so they can't be a great model (I paid $20): If it was an LX (selling broken for $150+), I wouldn't mess with it.

If you had received a K-5 for free, would you tinker with it?

03-01-2013, 03:47 AM	#1
kevinh Inactive Account Join Date: Feb 2013 Posts: 61	MX and others: Mirror sticking up Hi all. This is my first post. I have read several threads here and elsewhere, with a variety of explanation on why mirrors are sticking up. I considered every possibility put forward in the posts, but when I starting disassembling the camera I found that none of the theories put forward applied in my case. I found that it is my curtain that is sticking. With the bottom of the camera off I can see that one lever is not returning to its pre shutter tripping position. If I push that lever into place the mirror drops and the curtain frame finishes moving into its intended hidden position.. After that when I move the lever by hand I find it is not the lever or governor that is the hangup because the gears of the governor move freely. Just thought this info might help others in the way this forum has helped me in the past. My next step is to tear into the camera further to see the entire curtain. I bought the MX I am working on cheap so if I screw up, oh well. I am finding working on cameras to be a very enjoyable little hobby and one that is very cheap when you consider how cheaply you can by the old film Pentax'es,

03-01-2013, 05:17 AM	#3
mattt Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Niagara Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,907	I'm with Arnold. The issue may be a small piece that commonly breaks, falls further into the guts, then jams. It cost me $80 to do light seals and address the minor repairs https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/attachments/pentax-film-slr-discussion/16...d-imgp1419.jpg Last edited by mattt; 03-01-2013 at 05:19 AM. Reason: Photo added

03-01-2013, 05:36 AM - 1 Like	#4
kevinh Inactive Account Join Date: Feb 2013 Posts: 61 Original Poster	re: MX I know this is a good model, but these classics are a dime a dozen on ebay so they can't be a great model (I paid $20): If it was an LX (selling broken for $150+), I wouldn't mess with it. My objective is to learn how to work on them, more than taking pictures with it although I would do that too. I just got a beautiful ES II with and fixed the lihjt meter because it's former owner was convinced he couldn't do it. I just don't see the point in paying $80 to fix a $50 camera. The other point is Eric did work on his first, second and third camera once. If the people around him assumed he'd fail, he wouldn't be fixing your cameras today.

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03-01-2013, 04:09 AM	#2
arnold Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Queensland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,294	Don't waste an MX, they are classics well worth a professional fix.

03-01-2013, 06:26 AM	#5
wombat2go Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Michigan Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,207	Hi Kevin, ME Super arrived here The shutter is closed and the mirror is stuck fully up. The leds power up. Where do I start? Thanks!

03-01-2013, 07:52 PM	#6
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Sticky mirror foam is the most common cause of this problem in film SLRs. That is why I generally caution to check the mirror bumper first when taking delivery of a new old camera. Steve

03-02-2013, 07:21 AM	#7
wombat2go Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Michigan Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,207	On the ME Super I can move the mirror slightly and see a gap to the foam. The mirror is being held up mechanically

03-02-2013, 09:26 AM	#8
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by kevinh If the people around him assumed he'd fail, he wouldn't be fixing your cameras today. Eric is not self-taught. He is Pentax-trained and worked at their repair facility for 17 years (since 1979) and has a deep knowledge of the cameras that most of us are working with. Now, if you want to use a broken MX that your paid $20 for (appropriate price for an MX parts camera) as a means to learn a little about how cameras of that type work, please go for it and have a good time. If, on the other hand, you want to have your MX in working condition for a reasonable fee, Eric might be your best bet. Either way, I hope your have fun with your camera. Steve (...would personally tinker with a larger camera with similar workings...say a Spotmatic. The MX has some complicated innards. No sense turning a $75 repair into a $150 repair.)

03-02-2013, 02:29 PM	#9
grhazelton Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Jonesboro, GA Photos: Albums Posts: 1,972	Please heed the good advice above and learn repair trades on something less worthy! The MX is a classic. Have a look at Pentax Manual Focus Camera Bodies - KEH.com and you'll have some idea of its desireability. Find an old ME; they, while worthy cameras, can be got quite cheaply. Eric just quoted me $70 a piece for working on my two MXs which have meter problems. Do understand that this was an email guesstimate, and he would have to see the camera for a firmer estimate. If you visit his site you'll see that that would include, I believe, a full CLA. My understanding is that Eric's work is the best. Thus for $90 you could have a fully functioning classic.

03-02-2013, 02:59 PM	#10
vladimiroltean Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Bucharest, Romania Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,465	Originally posted by kevinh I know this is a good model, but these classics are a dime a dozen on ebay so they can't be a great model (I paid $20): If it was an LX (selling broken for $150+), I wouldn't mess with it. If you had received a K-5 for free, would you tinker with it?