Mirror on Minolta X-370 locks up

I have read a number of posts on the www about the Minolta X-370. I

bought mine in a local pawn shop and fell in love immediately! It was

working without a hitch until one day last week during trip out, the

thing froze! Well, After some detective work, I found that the mirror

sticks in the upright position and even though it is the biggest no-

no in the camera world, I touched the shutter screen in an attempt

dislodge the the mirror. IT WORKED ! I have searched high and low on

any info that might help me to fix this problem. The camera shop

wants to charge me more than I paid for the camera and 2 lenses.. so

hopefully someone in all thier wisdom can help me figure out the

nessesary steps to take...I figure it needs good lube job but what

kind of lube and where to apply it seems to be the best kept secrect

on the net....lol Please Help me if you can? Be my hero??? Thanks

for any help you can give.

I mean this is my first camera.. real one anyways and I really think I would have to get grief counciling if I had to replace it ..lol Thanks again. Marylou

There is a foam material just below the focusing screen, probably used to dampen mirror bounce. Has it turned gooey and sticky? It happens when the camera body gets old.

Sticky foam might be the problem. Do a search on photo.net. The subject has been covered before, including places to buy the foam. DO NOT LUBRICATE ANYTHING. It'll get places it doesn't belong and gum things up worse! Chances are it'll work fine for another 10 years with no more lubrication! While you're at it there's probably foam light seals around the back door of the camera that should be replaced.

I had (I think) the same problem with the similar x-70 (X-GM): repair plus the necessary light blocking foam replacement: 138 Canadian Dollars at a very small but competent camera shop, and I did not even bargain. You need to shop around. The first two estimates at Toronto's two biggest camera stores were 185 and 200 CAD!

Does the mirror lock up every time - or only once in a while?

 

The advise posted before (me)would possibly fix your problem - two other things to consider - the first one a bit silly really (I did it!) - My XD7 did the same thing while I was fiddling around with it -no film loaded. After my panic had subsided I realised that I had it on AP @ f16 and it was trying to expose with the lens cap on. After 15 or 20 seconds it came "loose".

 

On a more serious note, I also found that the XD7 needed regular excercise - I left it for a couple of months and the "stop down/mirror lift" phase of triggering the shutter was very slow - giving the impression that the shutter timing was way out. I did a VERY conservative lube job and cycled the camera 50 time and it is working like an (old) Singer.

Ok , I have looked at everything that you thankfully have posted and I have found out what at least part of the problem is now I have to figure out how to fix this if possible. The shutter curtain (when button is pressed) only opens half way and and does not have enough strength (for lack of better words..) to release the mirror back down when it closes. there seems to be a pressure sensitive release when the cutain closes and it ain't cuttin it...Ughhh! Also... a stupid question? Isnt the curtain suppose to open fully to expose the negative?You all are the greatest.. Please keep up the advice? And thank you for your patience... Marylou...:>

The sticky foam would have been the lesser evil. I had a Minolta SRT101 that required shutter curtain replacement. It started by occasional mirror hang up, later on the curtain refused to make the complete travel. Just before it failed completely the film winder became exceedingly heavy to advance. I had it repaired for sentimental reasons, but the cost far exceeded the market value of a 30 year old camera. Good luck.

I had this problem with an X-370 when I first started out; I routinely solved it by rapping the camera against the meat of my palm and the mirror returned. It only seemed to happen when I used a motor drive, though; never when I used the manual film advance. I got tired of this after a while and took it in for a repair estimate. They told me it would cost around $100. Since an X-370 can easily be found for $75 or less, I declined and picked up another X-370. I know you're attached to this, as it's your first camera, but I recommend you do the same.

 

As an aside, I ended up giving the "sticky" X-370 to a friend of mine, and it was later stolen while he was in Peru. I doubt it could be the same one, but it would be an interesting coincidence if it had made it all the way back to your pawn shop.

You have all been so much help... I really mean that .. however unfortunatly I am enrolling in grief counciling and putting my baby on the shelf..I think I may even have it encased for display...lol.. I shall be looking for a new X-370, as it is just to close to my heart.... Thanks again for all of your help and maybe someday I can return the favor...See ya'll on the site..TC & GB...

Marylou

I know the feeling, but glad to hear you're moving on. Just picked up a 570 at a pawn shop but it's my 6th body (only kept 3). Electronic shutter, intuitive controls, the only drawback to the system is the price of a 24 or 85 because of rarity. I think the system is as good as other secrets like Oly and cheaper. Consider the bodies disposable and the X system is wonderful - you can save your money for film, travel, toys or the Send-Zave-To-Summer-Camp fund. I do, however, recommend buying yor first body or two where there's a guarantee - by the third one you'll know what a healthy shutter sounds like and what you should see looking through the viewfinder.