Mamiya TLR shutter problem

I acquired a Mamiya C3 and set of lenses this last summer. finnaly I

took it out to catch some snow scenes and the 180 mm lens shutter

cocked but no shutter action . it worked fine in August. could it be

that it requires cleaning??? or is the expence of that more than the

value of a replacement lens?

is there a reputable repair service available??

thanks in advance

Dean

Sounds like a combination of needing a clean and cold stiffening the

lubricants. Does it work now it's back in the warm?

I've had two shutters fail like you explained. Both were

unrepairable. Have then checked out hovever, don't take my word.

the first thing I thought was the cold but after being in the house

and fully warmed over several days. I can hear the little ticky sound

of the "timer ?" in there but it doesnt complete its cycle. and the

shutter leaves do not open at all. It possibly could be old lube as

I was told they were just sitting in a box for many years.

thanks again!

Dean

Do you keep the flash sync set to "X"? "M" sync has a seperate delay

mechanism that can hang up.

Tims note sounds interesting... I looked at it and set it from "X" to

"M" because I wasnt using flash, and was shooting 1 second at f22....

if that was the cause can it be un stuck?

Thanks again

Dean

Dean;

<p>

Is the lens hung up in the cocked position or does it cock and

release, but the shutter never opens? My two shutters would cock and

release, but the shutter blades never opened. Both pronounced DAO by

camera shop technican.

I understand from a technician (I had the same problem) that once

they go, they go...

<p>

Sorry - not much help!

<p>

Simon

Dean, I'm not a shutter repairman, but here's a tip I picked up

recently from a repair book written by a man named Tomosy. before you

chunk the lens, try this.

<p>

Unscrew the front element to expose the shutter blades (Tomosy's

idea). Cock the shutter, set it to "B," then press and hold the

release lever; leave the lens on the camera and use a locking cable

release (all my ideas). Use a toothpick (my idea) or tweezers

(Tomosy's idea) to very gently nudge the shutter blades in an attempt

to get them to snap open. If that succeeds, you will have proved that

the problem is nothing more than gooey stuff in the shutter works

(easily repairable). And because you locked it open with a cable

release (my idea, remember?), the thin, very delicate shutter blades

will not try to play "guillotine gotcha" with the toothpick or tweezer

you just stuck into its throat!

<p>

If all else fails, consider sending the thing to me to let me take a

shot at it.

<p>

Mel Brown

HOORAY!!!!

Yesterday, After my tears of grief had dried enough to keep

them out of the lens, I

got too thinking and took a look , and screwed the front part of the

lens

off from in front of the shutter, set it to "B" and f 4.5, and then

cocked

the shutter, when I pressed and held the shutter release lever I

reached in

with a clean pencil eraser and gave it a gentle boost in the correct

direction and !!!!!!!My tears of sorrow turned to tears of joy as the

shutter cycled again and again on its own.... now I just have to dry

the

damn tears outta there.... ha ha

after reading Mels message I thought I better post my good news,

interesting to see that was almost exactly what I did, except that I

used the eraser because in theory (mine) it is softer and less likly

to scratch. I am also interested to find out about that book.... does

he mention how to get rid of fungus?? my 65mm lens came from the

oregon coast and has a white foggy/gooey looking surface on the

inside of the lens that sits closest to the film.

just curious,

Thanks to all

best regards

<p>

Dean

I've read an interview with a person from a repair company that is

going to retire on short terms. The only remedy for fungus is to

clean them and use some of the fluids of your mouth to really remove

the fungus. clean again , assemble ... et voila.........