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Forum: Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras 09-06-2023, 04:28 PM  
My Program Plus's viewfinder is black what should I do?
Posted By AsahiRaccoon
Replies: 13
Views: 3,047
Sorry for this very very late reply...hope you are still reading this thread.

Well, if you don't want to open up the camera and take the risk for DIY repairs, then yes, you need to bring it to a repair shop.

I think what is have right now, beside the mirror not returning, is that the mechanism of the shutter firing and cocking cycle inside the camera is out of sync.

If I am not wrong, the normal cycle should be:
1. Shutter button depressed
2. Mirror goes up then
3. Shutter fires
4. Mirror returns down
5. Double exposure prevention engaged (i.e. you can't fire the shutter)
6a. Film advances by winding lever
6b. Shutter cocks and Double exposure prevention disengages
7. Goto 1
Forum: Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras 04-21-2023, 07:34 PM  
Next step in fixing a Pentax MX with sticking mirror?
Posted By AsahiRaccoon
Replies: 24
Views: 3,837
Thanks for the tips. May I ask if I can lubricate it myself?
Forum: Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras 04-12-2023, 11:17 PM  
Next step in fixing a Pentax MX with sticking mirror?
Posted By AsahiRaccoon
Replies: 24
Views: 3,837
UPDATE: I finally shot a few frames (I took a roll of film out of my ME Super and did a mid-roll exchange) with the MX and I discovered another problem as shown in the photo. It was a bright sunny morning and the two partially exposed frames were probably exposed at 1/1000s. It looks like a "second curtain couldn't catch up" problem, am I right? Is there anyway to fix such issue? Would the two "gears" at the bottom beside the battery chamber be of any help? Thanks for any help in advance.
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 04-12-2023, 10:57 PM  
Partial Disassembly and "Repair" of a Takumar Bayonet 28mm f2.8
Posted By AsahiRaccoon
Replies: 1
Views: 844
I recently bought a Takumar Bayonet 28mm f2.8. The optics is a great condition and the focusing mechanism is smooth though a bit on the stiff side. The only problem was that its aperture ring is so crazily tight that every single click required a great deal of effort. So after reading a few posts here and there, I decided to disassemble it to find out why and if the issue can be fixed.

First, one needs to unscrew the 5 screws around the mount which also holds outer aperture ring (A) in place. (C) is the plastic ring that surrounds the rear element and guards the aperture stop-down lever (1). Its removal is not necessary unless the mount is stuck and one needs some leverage to remove it. After removing the mount, one needs to be very careful when removing the outer aperture ring because there is tiny steel marble located at (4) which facilities the "clicks" while setting aperture. That marble will come out loose so it needs to be kept safe for reinstallation. Then, the inner aperture ring (B) can be removed. Please beware and be careful that the coupler (3) which moves the lever (2) is spring loaded. Lever (2) is the rod that directly opens and closes the aperture diaphragm.

After removing the inner aperture ring (B), putting it back, and rotating it by hand numerous times, it is found out that the ring is slightly too wide which makes its fit onto the lens body too tight and thus very difficult to turn. So I tried reducing the ring's diameter by sanding it with scale modelling sandpaper. However, I broke the ring, which is made of plastic, in the process. Fortunately, the circular shape of the ring is still intact (as shown in the photo with the curved arrows pointing at the points where the ring broke). In addition, now the ring can flex a bit which makes it being able rotate freely without much friction. So as a result of the "accident", the problem is fixed!

The next step would be reassembly. To correctly the inner aperture ring (B), one must make sure that the vertical rod if coupler (3) is "inside" the ring as shown in the photo. Next, before putting on the outer aperture ring (A), one needs to fully open or close the diaphragm with the inner aperture ring (B) and carefully put back the tiny steel marble to (4). While keeping the steel marble from falling out, align the the outer aperture ring (A) with the inner aperture ring (B) using the big notch (5) and the small notches (6), then gently push it in place. After that, put back the mount onto the lens by aligning the red-dot on the mount with the focal distance mark on the lens. Finally, put the 5 screws back on and everything is done!
Forum: Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras 03-07-2023, 04:16 PM  
How to evaluate and test garage sale finds?
Posted By AsahiRaccoon
Replies: 8
Views: 916
Wow Wow Wow, $5 for a Pentax MX, that's crazily good prize even it is merely a "parts" camera! One thing that I would add is that the MX like a few other Pentax M-series bodies has a specific meter coupling range. At ISO100, the meter will couple down to 1 seconds. But at ISO200, it only couples down to 1/2 seconds (at ISO400, it will be 1/4 seconds and so on). If you set ISO to 200, and say the correct exposure is 1/2 seconds, the LED will switch from "correct" to "under-expose 1+ stops" when you turn the shutter dial from 1/2 seconds to 1 second. This is just how the camera would normally behave and is not a malfunction. It is just an indicator of the meter is out of coupling range.
Forum: Vintage Cameras and Equipment 03-07-2023, 04:05 PM  
MX with a stuck mirror
Posted By AsahiRaccoon
Replies: 23
Views: 2,621
Thank you for pointing that out! :) I had always suspected the use of that two "gears", you just solved my puzzle.
Forum: Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras 02-28-2023, 11:03 AM  
Interesting P30T shutter problem!
Posted By AsahiRaccoon
Replies: 8
Views: 1,472
Yes, I agree! For a P30T, unless one is interested in learning the clockwork inside a camera, looking for the feeling of accomplishment of being able to do DIY repairs, or the camera has some sentimental value attached to it, it is not worth the time and effort.

---------- Post added 02-28-23 at 12:14 PM ----------



@andrewd is right about the mechanical issues in the winding cycle and shutter cocking. The only thing I worry more than this is that the LEDs go dark. Does it happen when you try press down the shutter button all the way to fire the shutter? Do you need to turn off then turn on the camera to get the LEDs light up again? I am asking because you might have an electrical issue too.
Forum: Welcomes and Introductions 02-27-2023, 09:57 PM  
Hello From WV
Posted By AsahiRaccoon
Replies: 7
Views: 357
Welcome from Canada! I am also new here and I too like film photography (mostly black and white). I myself use mainly a Pentax ME Super with a ME as a backup. Recently, I bought a Pentax MX with some issues and also in pretty rough shape. With the help of people here and hours invested in repairing/restoration, it is now ready for its first roll.

As for your Pentax K1000, $35 is a very very good price given today revival in film photography. It is not uncommon to see a K1000 for $200, which is crazy!
Forum: Welcomes and Introductions 02-20-2023, 08:52 PM  
Hello from AZ - and a Comet picture
Posted By AsahiRaccoon
Replies: 10
Views: 635
Welcome! I am also new here and I too is into astrophotography, I am a long time stargazer but as for taking photos, especially digitally, I am a total newbie. As for now, I am still taking single shots with my smartphone aiming at the eyepiece and obviously that would limit me to photographing the sun, the moon, and some burry planet images.
Forum: Welcomes and Introductions 02-20-2023, 08:47 PM  
Hello!
Posted By AsahiRaccoon
Replies: 6
Views: 359
Welcome! I am new here too and I also shoot film with my Pentax SLRs. I myself is a fan of the compact M series bodies and prefer them over their Nikon counterparts (i.e. MX over FM, ME Super over FE).
Forum: Vintage Cameras and Equipment 02-20-2023, 05:20 PM  
Kodak No 2 Folding Autographic
Posted By AsahiRaccoon
Replies: 7
Views: 1,316
Love that viewfinder shade! I should make one for mine.

Forum: Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras 02-20-2023, 05:08 PM  
My Program Plus's viewfinder is black what should I do?
Posted By AsahiRaccoon
Replies: 13
Views: 3,047
Hi and welcome! I myself is a new member and have already found out that people here are really helpful. As I have just successfully restored a mirror-sticking Pentax MX with the help of many from here, I might be able to give you my own two cents. @TwoUptons is right, please first check your batteries to see if they are both flesh and installed properly. The Program Plus doesn't have any mechanical backup shutter speed and thus the shutter will not fire without battery, @Wheatfield is also right about mirror damping foam might have turned into sticky goo that interferes the mirror return cycle. If so, it needs to be cleaned up and replaced either professionally or DIY with alternative materials. The other possible cause of your problem is that the shutter firing/winding/mirror-return mechanism has a jam somewhere and you need to remove bottom plate to gain access and attempt a fix.

You mentioned that you have pulled down the mirror already. Does the shutter fire now? Can you now complete the shutter firing/winding/mirror-return cycle?
Forum: Vintage Cameras and Equipment 02-20-2023, 03:17 PM  
Which Rangefinder or scale focus Camera do you have the most fun with?
Posted By AsahiRaccoon
Replies: 32
Views: 1,498
The Yashica is beautiful!
Forum: Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras 02-20-2023, 03:16 PM  
Poll: Do you keep you negatives/positives after processing?
Posted By AsahiRaccoon
Replies: 36
Views: 1,681
Another make-shift way to do it is to have a tablet displaying a pure white JPEG with screen-saver turned off. :-)
Forum: Vintage Cameras and Equipment 02-16-2023, 10:21 PM  
Takumar 500mm f4.5 M42 lens
Posted By AsahiRaccoon
Replies: 1
Views: 440
Look forward to see a good lens being revived! Please keep us posted.
Forum: Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras 02-16-2023, 03:16 PM  
Poll: Do you keep you negatives/positives after processing?
Posted By AsahiRaccoon
Replies: 36
Views: 1,681
That's indeed is the first time I heard of such thing! I myself keep all negatives in archival boxes sorted by dates and formats. I can always go back and re-scan any of them for reasons like: the first scan wasn't done well, an upgraded scanner, a different scanning technique (like using DSLR + macro lens), needs a higher resolution scan for a large print or extreme crop, etc..
Forum: Vintage Cameras and Equipment 02-15-2023, 10:18 PM  
Which Rangefinder or scale focus Camera do you have the most fun with?
Posted By AsahiRaccoon
Replies: 32
Views: 1,498
My #1 favourite, medium format in the pocket, my goto camera for shooting out of town projects when traveling light is essential.



My #2 favourite, extremely detailed DOF scale, ultra quiet shutter, friend of anyone who loves street photography



My #3 favourite, possibly the smallest full-frame RF, 35mm f2.8 lens with a 6-element/5 groups reversed retro-focus design, only lacking manual exposure and high ISO settings for pushing films, my second favourite camera for street photography



Three more fun to use scale focus cameras that I love:





Forum: Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras 02-11-2023, 07:53 PM  
Next step in fixing a Pentax MX with sticking mirror?
Posted By AsahiRaccoon
Replies: 24
Views: 3,837
Thanks! That's good to know. 4~5 days so far and the camera is still working well. And I was too eager to fix the other issues so I started those and have finished them already. The replacement mirror damping "cushion" was made by stacking two layers of adhesive felt and though it looks ugly, it works. It can easily be removed in the future for changing the current focusing screen with a "cleaner" one.
Forum: Sold Items 02-07-2023, 11:45 PM  
For Sale - Sold: 3rd Party K-mount Camera Lots - 41 Cameras, 44 Lenses, 3 Winder/Grips
Posted By AsahiRaccoon
Replies: 54
Views: 5,309
Hi! May I ask what would be the shipping cost to Vancouver for the following item:

Lot 3403 ($15CAD / $11USD)
$10/$8 Ricoh XR-1 (26 144338), The meter may not be accurate, the shutter speeds work
$15/$11 Ricoh Riconar 55mm F2.2 (582521), Good condition
https://www.michaelfastphotography.com/galleries/k-1ii/misc2021/jwc3pk/_K2P22790a.jpg

Thanks.
Forum: Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras 02-07-2023, 10:43 PM  
Next step in fixing a Pentax MX with sticking mirror?
Posted By AsahiRaccoon
Replies: 24
Views: 3,837
Interesting to know such "mixing" method! Thanks.

---------- Post added 02-07-23 at 11:44 PM ----------



Great suggestion! Thanks.

---------- Post added 02-07-23 at 11:47 PM ----------



WOW!!! THANK YOU! Your images and their detailed explanation confirmed that I have been lubing the right places.

---------- Post added 02-08-23 at 12:02 AM ----------

---------- Post added 02-08-23 at 12:09 AM ----------

UPDATES on my Pentax MX (2):

First of all, I forgot to mention that instead of clock oil, I decided on using sewing machine oil which has a lighter viscosity. I assume that would make getting the oil into tight spaces easier. Still, as mentioned in my previous update, it flows much slower than the alcohol. So long story short, I added two additional "rounds" of oil the where the mirror return mechanism is with the syringe. Right after the second additional round of oil, I added a round of alcohol. it seems that the two somehow mixed together and helped the oil to get into all the necessary spaces, especially those that are hiding underneath the low-speeds clockwork. As of this moment, the camera is working smoothly with mirror returning at all speeds. Lastly, I used a tiny paint brush to apply small amount of oil to the three large winding gears to smooth up the winding action.

Thank you for everyone's suggestions, advices, and helps!

If everything keeps on going smooth, I will go ahead to add light seals on the back and mirror damping felt at the front. After that, it will be some paint job as the camera is still in pretty rough shape cosmetically, especially for the back and its bottom plate.
Forum: Welcomes and Introductions 02-04-2023, 11:33 PM  
Another old photography newcomer
Posted By AsahiRaccoon
Replies: 16
Views: 735
The 67 is a heavy camera for most except the strongest. I only do handheld medium format with my 645 Bronica and 6x6 folder. As for my 4x5, I only have a 6x7 roll film back. A 6x12 back would a dream addition as I like panorama too but they are quite pricey. However, I can still do make-shift panorama without a roll film back if I make a mask on my sheet holder and thus "wasting" a whole sheet of film for one 6x12 shot.
Forum: Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras 02-04-2023, 11:20 PM  
Pentax film SLR history question
Posted By AsahiRaccoon
Replies: 27
Views: 1,870
Yes, ME Super has an electronic shutter running steplessly from 1/2000s to 4s. The 1/125x and B are mechanical though.
Forum: Welcomes and Introductions 02-04-2023, 08:00 PM  
Old New Guy
Posted By AsahiRaccoon
Replies: 10
Views: 558
Welcome from Canada! I am also a new member here. I too uses a Pentax ME Super, which was also my first SLR (the current one was bought used as my original one bought during high school was sold long long ago). None of my digital gears is Pentax though I am always interested in the legendary weather proof capabilities of some Pentax DSLR bodies.
Forum: Welcomes and Introductions 02-04-2023, 07:57 PM  
another new old guy
Posted By AsahiRaccoon
Replies: 8
Views: 452
Welcome! I am also a new member and my first SLR too is a Pentax, a ME Super. The Pentax MX is my favourite K mount film body and I remember repeatedly going through the related printed materials again and again during my high school years.
Forum: Welcomes and Introductions 02-04-2023, 07:33 PM  
Another old photography newcomer
Posted By AsahiRaccoon
Replies: 16
Views: 735
Welcome from Canada! I am also a new member here and I too shoot medium though not with Pentax. Your 67 system seems to be pretty complete. How do you feel the 67 as a handheld camera? Currently I can only do 6x7 with a roll-film back on my 4x5.
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