a._valerio Posted January 7, 2008 Share Posted January 7, 2008 I obtained a used Pentax 645 recently. While testing out the shutter with the back plate on, I dry-fired the camera without film a number of times to make certain it was working right. Somehow, I managed to fire off 58 frames in this manner, reaching the limit of the frame counter. The motor then started to run, and stayed on approx 30 sec. I assume it was trying to maybe rewind the film or something (I'm coming from 35mm SLRs and this would be my first medium format SLR). The thing is, camera now runs its motor every time it's switched on. THe shutter won't release or anything! Anyone know if this is typical...or might there be something wronge with this camera? Thanks in advance! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve graham Posted January 8, 2008 Share Posted January 8, 2008 It'll probably sort itself out if you load a film. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xato Posted January 8, 2008 Share Posted January 8, 2008 Try taking out the batteries and also the lithium one on the bottom. Maybe the logic got flip-flopped somewhere in there. There's no rewind on a 120 film camera BTW--it just ends up backwards on the take up spool. Also the end of film indicator is a little switch that is blocked by the paper in the film backing. Sometimes these contacts get dirty--I would manipulate all the contacts a few times to see if this clears up the problem. HTH. Warren Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
a._valerio Posted January 8, 2008 Author Share Posted January 8, 2008 Warren, How would one go about removing the back-up battery cover? THere are two little holes in it for some sort of tool I don't have. I was thinking of removing it, but wasn't sure how. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
a._valerio Posted January 8, 2008 Author Share Posted January 8, 2008 The other thing is, the person I bought it from told me that I can return the camera if need be. I'm just not sure if this behavior indicates there's something wrong with it, or if all Pentax 645s do the same thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gregory_c Posted January 8, 2008 Share Posted January 8, 2008 Pentax 645 are very good cameras. Try removing the batteries & put film in it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
a._valerio Posted January 9, 2008 Author Share Posted January 9, 2008 So, does anyone think there's reason to send the camera back? Or is this considered normal working order. I'm still looking for ideas and trying to sort this all out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael_benveniste Posted January 23, 2008 Share Posted January 23, 2008 I'm the one who sold Mr. Valerio the 645. I had used it semi-regularly without problems, but I decided to upgrade to a 645n. He returned it to me and I'm giving him a full refund. The problem is as described. I loaded a roll of film and the camera zipped right through it, neatly placing it on the pickup reel. The motor then stopped. I turned the camera off, removed the insert, and turned the camera back on. The motor started running again. Since I don't have a spanner wrench to change the lithium battery, I'll take it into SK Grimes/EP Levine in the morning and see if can be saved. I'll report the final outcome here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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