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Pentax 6x7 Shutter Inconsistent


jonathanchou

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Hello all,

 

I recently purchased a Pentax 6x7, and I got a few rolls developed - I noticed that a handful of my frames were blank and I discovered that if I shoot at a shutter of 1/500 or 1/1000 the shutter curtain will not open every time. Every 2-4 shutter clicks, the shutter curtain will for some reason decide not to open.

 

Is this a known issue with the camera? I am debating on whether or not I should send it in for repairs or if I should just return it and purchase a different body online.

 

Thanks

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Is this a known issue with the camera?

 

It's actually a "known issue" with most shutters that have been sitting for a long time without use.

 

The quick and dirty solution is to loosen things up by dry firing the shutter repeatedly at all speeds,

A more permanent solution is to have someone do a clean/adjust service on the camera.

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i dont have any experiance with pentax 67 but...

when shutters sit for a long time, a cla is the best remedy. that will at least ensure reliable service for a long time.

 

if you still have the option to return it, return it!

 

also.... if you got it for dirt cheap n want to kkeep it....

i distinctly remember you have an option to use lenses with leaf shutters built in... is that something you may consider?

 

.

The more you say, the less people listen.
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Derangement of shutter speeds is common with the older first to third generation Pentax 6x7 cameras; there were small engineering improvements to the circuit under the shutter speed dial in the 1989-release Pentax 67. When not used the shutter speed dial should be set to B and, if and where fitted, the mirror lock-up taped over to prevent accidental activation (which will flatten the battery). Setting the dial to bulb does not use any power until such time as mirror lock-up is activated.

 

The problem is not rare with the Pentax 6x7, and can be accompanied by shutter drag; I have seen about 30 such examples since the early 2000s, and most of those have come about through neglect rather than misadventure. I would also be confident in saying the seller would have been aware of this as an existing problem and thus you do have grounds for returning the camera for a refund unless you go the (potentially) expensive route of repairs. In many cases, repairs can be more than the net worth of these cameras and in also go into a cycle of continuous redundancy and unreliability as parts are taken from other cameras (new parts have long ago ceased to be available).

Garyh | AUS

Pentax 67 w/ ME | Swiss ALPA SWA12 A/D | ZeroImage 69 multiformat pinhole | Canon EOS 1N+PDB E1

Kodachrome, Ektachrome, Fujichrome E6 user since 1977.

Ilfochrome Classic Master print technician (2003-2010) | Hybridised RA-4 print production from Heidelberg Tango scans

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