s_w13 Posted November 9, 2011 Share Posted November 9, 2011 <p>Hello,<br> This is my first post here, as I am relatively new to photography practice, despite being rather proficient in theory.<br> I have recently acquired a Zenza Bronica SQ-Ai. The camera seems to be in mint condition, with Zenzanon-PS 80/2.8, ME Prism Finder S and 120 film back all in excellent condition and a SQ-i Motor Drive (missing original crank). The 80/2.8 shutter fires accurately and the mirror pops up and back down again as it should - no issues there.<br> The problem: When the SQ-i Motor Drive is attached, it will only fire in multiple exposure mode. Removing the Motor Drive and manually turning the rather hard to grip advance assembly solves this problem (which I would suspect would be the same with the original crank); however, this is far from ideal, as I will miss most shots fiddling with the thing!<br> Any idea why this might be happening?<br> Help would be greatly appreciated.<br> Regards,<br> Scott<br> PS. If you have a spare winding crank, let me know and maybe we can work out a price.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david_smith35 Posted November 10, 2011 Share Posted November 10, 2011 <p>I take it that you have a film in the camera? The shutter will only fire with no film if you put it in the multi exposure mode.<br> BTW, from what I've read, the the hand winding crank is rarer than hens teeth on the second hand market.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
s_w13 Posted November 11, 2011 Author Share Posted November 11, 2011 <p>Hi Dave,</p> <p>Thank you for the response. I do indeed have film in the camera, loaded correctly. It is only the Motor Drive that will not fire the shutter on single exposure mode. As I said, it works perfectly fine if I manually turn the crank assembly...<br> A real mystery!<br> Scott</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david_henderson Posted November 12, 2011 Share Posted November 12, 2011 <p>You might find that a Speedgrip is easier to find than the wind-on crank and cheaper than a repair to the motor drive.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david_smith35 Posted November 12, 2011 Share Posted November 12, 2011 <p>Hi Scott, sorry I can't be of more help but I don't own the motor drive. Just out of interest, does the motor drive advance the film and cock the shutter but refuse to fire, or does it not work at all in the single exposure mode?<br> Personally, if you can get hold of a winding crank I would dump the motor drive.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
s_w13 Posted November 15, 2011 Author Share Posted November 15, 2011 <p>Sorry for the late reply, David(s), I have recently undergone surgery and not made it to the forums. To answer your question, it does not function at all in single exposure mode. It is the strangest thing!</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
s_w13 Posted January 11, 2012 Author Share Posted January 11, 2012 <p>Hi Everyone.<br> I found a solution to this problem, without having to source a manual winding crank handle:<br> It turns out that just one of the pots where the grip attaches the camera was a little out of alignment and slightly corroded (despite the others being in mint condition). A bit of fine sanding and a tap with a screwdriver and hammer and she is firing as intended!<br> Thank you for all the help.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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