PRAKTICA MTL3 wind lever jammed

<p>Hi! I recenty found praktica mtl3 which hasn't been used for about 25-30 years. The problem is that the wind lever is jammed. I removed the top of the camera but I still can't see what the problem is. I would be thrilled if someone could help me with this issue. This is my very first experience with tinkering SLR film camera... Thanks!</p><div></div>

<p>Hi! One of the common problems with Prakticas, Konicas and similar cameras is that the spring that moves back the mirror to normal position gets weak [or out of balance] for some reason. I am not saying that is the problem with your camera. But it could be. If it is so, then remove the lens by unscrewing and feel the lever that pushes the mirror up to the left [i.e., wind arm] side of the camera inside the mirror chamber. You can manipulate it so the mirror slaps down. Then everything will be okay. Please check if this is the problem. You will save hours of investigation work. All the best, sp.</p>

<p>Thanks for your suggestion. The mirror is in it's normal position. When i push it up, the spring moves it back so I guess that's not the problem...</p>

<p>Sometimes problems like this are rather related to the double advance latch which keeps you from advancing the film if the shutter has not been released. The mechanism usually is located under the bottom plate. Remove the bottom plate and check for a lever which keeps one of the gears from turning. Push this lever back and try to advance the film (this will do no harm to the shutter mechanism - once the shutter is cocked the shutter wind mechanism is no longer coupled to the advance mechanism). Maybe there is a misbent spring or a gummed bearing.</p>

<p>Hmm... I can't see that kind of lever on the bottom in my praktica. The only (possibly similar) mechanism on the bottom is this one (check the picture). By rotating the plastig gear (red arrow), the slilver plate with small lever-like extention (green arrow) can be moved for 180 degrees. However, the movement is followed with very low resistance and it does nothing for the winding lever...</p><div></div>

<p>The following dis-assembly procedure by Steve S might help. Please take a look.</p>

<p>I noticed that the film sprocket (plastic cylinder with teeth on top and bottom for fixing the film) can be turned easily in either direction with no resistance. On my Minolta X300 the film sprocket is what advances the film when winding lever is pulled so is it ok for the sprocket to be so loose on my praktica?</p>

<p>Etna, please try this link. Steve Shepherd knows Prakticas inside out. Let us know your progress.All the best sp.</p>

<p>Sorry, but can you tell me what link is it? I can't see it in your post...</p>

<p>Sorry I posted the address. The PN page has problems with its own HTML editor. I shall try again.<br>

www.ydo.abelgratis.co.uk/praktica_shutter_unit.html</p>

<p>OK, maybe on the Prakticas the double-advance latch is located somewhere else. But I do not think anymore that this is the culprit. If the sprocket shaft can be turned freely maybe the mechanism is still in the rewind state. On most cameras I have seen there is a "rewind button" on the bottom. If it is pressed (to free the sprocket shaft) it should come out again as soon as you advance the film again. Check the position of the rewind button.</p>

<p>from the photo posted above it looks as if the rewind button is pressed down. Usually, in Prakticas of the L-series it pops out as you remove the bottom plate. Possibly something is rubbing/pressing against it and not releasing the same. Try releasing the rewind button by manipulating any obstruction gently with your fingers. It might work. It has happened to one of my cameras some time ago.Regards, sp.</p>

<p>Yup! The rewind button was stuck under the small metal plate (blue arrow) whose movement is spring controlled (when the rewind button is pressed, the lower part of the button gets under the metal plate preventing it from popping back out; unfortunately, I can't realese it by depressing it again, is that a problem? - I have to move the plate sideways). I am not at my house right now so i don't have the wind lever arm with me, I only brought the camera, screwdrivers and tweezers with me. The thing is, with the rewind button released, I still can't use the winding lever (actually the rotating part of it) and I believe I am using sufficient force (and I am using the tweezers as lever arm)...</p><div></div>

<p>You could try the sprocket wheel now. If it is engaged tight, then it means you may have solved the problem. Please don't try any other tools like tweezers on the winding lever stem. It has to be a properly fitting crank handle. Otherwise, you might wear out the stem corners. Take care, sp.</p>

<p>Yes, It's engaged tight. I'll report as soon as I put the winding arm on. Thank you! Your help is most appreciated!</p>

<p>Nope, it won't work. I've put the top on and put the wind lever arm on but it's still jammed...</p>

<p>P. S. After that I removed the lever arm and the top again and, while raising the top, one screw fell out from somewhere(?!).</p>

I think that dropped screw gives you a hint as to where the problem might be. You have eliminated tow already, (1) the mirror spring and (2) the rewind release button. It is always a process of elimination. Also remember that there are cases where an extra screw or spring has been left inside the camera during the assembly and that has caused the jam. So you may have to explore some more with patience. Keep making notes and snap shots at each stage. That will help you in the re-assembly. Let us know your progress. I am interested; I have several Prakticas. All the best. sp

<p>Yes, those screws are confusing. Ten days ago, during my first opening of the bottom, I found one screw on the plate where the baterry and soldered wires are connected. I didn't know what to do with it so I screwed it here (cyan arrow). The screw that came out out of nowhere this mornig is identical to this one in the picture. Forgot to mention that the screwhole and the screw on the photo hold nothing...</p><div></div>

<p>I'm a bit intimidated with complete dismantling of the side where the winding lever is. I think it will be quite difficult and I don't know if a have all the necessary tools (I've only got screwdrivers and tweezers)... And so many small parts just waiting to be lost...</p>

<p>I realise that this thread went quiet along time ago, but to anyone that can see this/cares I have a similar problem with my Prakitica PLC3, where I have had to force the mirror to return and cannot make the shutter return behind it. I will attach a photo to make things clearer. I understand that you can pick one of these u on eBay for under£40 but this camera has a great sentimental value to me. Thanks.<img src="http://i1301.photobucket.com/albums/ag108/blobyist/DSCF3021_zpsc5f929df.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="768" /></p>

<p>The following thread may be of some help:</p>

<p><a href="/classic-cameras-forum/00bPBt">http://www.photo.net/classic-cameras-forum/00bPBt</a></p>

<p>Its different though, the shutter isn't returning and I cant move the cocking lever. I can use the mirror return lever (inside the chamber) to get the mirror down, but I am not sure how to manually get the focal plane shutter thing down... </p>