PZ-1p Battery Issue?

**lithedreamer** · 03-13-2019, 09:09 PM

I’ve run a couple of batteries through my PZ-1p. When I press the shutter, it makes a whirring sound and indicates a low battery, even with a new battery. If I powercycle it, I can change as many menu settings or exposure settings or even rewind the film in the camera without issue. Any ideas? Is my poor camera dead? I’ve been bit by this on two occasions (the first I believed the battery was just dead), so I'll definitely be using a test shot in the future.

**TwoUptons** · 03-14-2019, 02:27 AM

Mine did that... and eventually that's all it would do... I gave it away for parts...
But make sure the battery is good. I have seen some 2CR5s that weren't very charged when I got them...

-Eric

**Bob 256** · 03-14-2019, 07:45 AM

It's possible that the battery is marginal and when called on to activate the shutter just can't make it, but it could be a shutter motor issue. Like TwoUptons suggested, make sure the battery is a new and reliable one. Any chance this is a low temperature issue? Low temperatures sap Li batteries like the CR5s and if the battery is marginal, cold will make it worse. Not sure what you mean by "powercycle it"??

**lithedreamer** · 03-14-2019, 12:02 PM

Originally posted by Bob 256

It's possible that the battery is marginal and when called on to activate the shutter just can't make it, but it could be a shutter motor issue. Like TwoUptons suggested, make sure the battery is a new and reliable one. Any chance this is a low temperature issue? Low temperatures sap Li batteries like the CR5s and if the battery is marginal, cold will make it worse. Not sure what you mean by "powercycle it"??

I’ll try it again when I get home. It was in the 70s yesterday so it should be fine, and I warmed it up in my hand when it gave me issues.

Powercycle - turn the camera off and on again

pendennis · 03-14-2019, 01:42 PM

Check the contacts in the compartment, and clean them well. Use a pencil erase, or a fiberglass pen to clean them. Sometimes the contacts can have a clear coating on them preventing good contact.

If you have the right type of test meter, you can test the batteries under load.

KX-Digital · 03-15-2019, 07:04 AM

You may have found the same issue as te Minolta 7000 i was given some time ago. It does work perfectly without film but when film is loaded, after transporting a few frames (between 2 and 4) it blocks. It seems like the motor doesn't have enough power anymore. The cause in my Minolta may very wel be hardend lubrification, dust and sand in the gears or both but i have no idea how to open and clean it and then reassemble it.

03-13-2019, 09:09 PM	#1
lithedreamer Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2013 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,799	PZ-1p Battery Issue? I’ve run a couple of batteries through my PZ-1p. When I press the shutter, it makes a whirring sound and indicates a low battery, even with a new battery. If I powercycle it, I can change as many menu settings or exposure settings or even rewind the film in the camera without issue. Any ideas? Is my poor camera dead? I’ve been bit by this on two occasions (the first I believed the battery was just dead), so I'll definitely be using a test shot in the future.

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03-14-2019, 02:27 AM	#2
TwoUptons Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2015 Photos: Albums Posts: 4,217	Mine did that... and eventually that's all it would do... I gave it away for parts... But make sure the battery is good. I have seen some 2CR5s that weren't very charged when I got them... -Eric

03-14-2019, 07:45 AM	#3
Bob 256 Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Idaho Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,375	It's possible that the battery is marginal and when called on to activate the shutter just can't make it, but it could be a shutter motor issue. Like TwoUptons suggested, make sure the battery is a new and reliable one. Any chance this is a low temperature issue? Low temperatures sap Li batteries like the CR5s and if the battery is marginal, cold will make it worse. Not sure what you mean by "powercycle it"??

03-14-2019, 12:02 PM	#4
lithedreamer Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2013 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,799 Original Poster	Originally posted by Bob 256 It's possible that the battery is marginal and when called on to activate the shutter just can't make it, but it could be a shutter motor issue. Like TwoUptons suggested, make sure the battery is a new and reliable one. Any chance this is a low temperature issue? Low temperatures sap Li batteries like the CR5s and if the battery is marginal, cold will make it worse. Not sure what you mean by "powercycle it"?? I’ll try it again when I get home. It was in the 70s yesterday so it should be fine, and I warmed it up in my hand when it gave me issues. Powercycle - turn the camera off and on again

03-14-2019, 01:42 PM	#5
pendennis Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2017 Posts: 41	Check the contacts in the compartment, and clean them well. Use a pencil erase, or a fiberglass pen to clean them. Sometimes the contacts can have a clear coating on them preventing good contact. If you have the right type of test meter, you can test the batteries under load.

03-15-2019, 07:04 AM	#6
KX-Digital Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Europe, Benelux, Zeeuwsch-Vlaanderen, Terneuzen Posts: 26	You may have found the same issue as te Minolta 7000 i was given some time ago. It does work perfectly without film but when film is loaded, after transporting a few frames (between 2 and 4) it blocks. It seems like the motor doesn't have enough power anymore. The cause in my Minolta may very wel be hardend lubrification, dust and sand in the gears or both but i have no idea how to open and clean it and then reassemble it.