ME Super - jammed

[glenn_mabbutt]

Earlier today I took one of my ME Supers out, I wound the lever as normal, and the camera has jammed on me -

initially I couldn't press the shutter button down at all in any mode, but after tapping it gently it now depresses (but

the shutter didn't fire, and I can't wind the lever any further).

 

As well, the meter indicates "UNDER" on all ISO settings, in Auto or Manual modes, pointed at all light sources, at

all apertures. The mirror itself is in the down position. Nothing changes in "125X" mode.

 

I tried opening and closing the back, and removing and reinserting the batteries (which are fairly new SR-44s), no

difference. I also mounted another lens, no difference.

 

I've searched around and I don't see an easy fix - just wondering if there is something I can try to resolve this that I'm

missing that doesn't involve disassembling the camera. If not, I'll take it my local repair guy...

 

Thanks.

[david richhart]

I still have my ME Super and it's a great little camera... The only problem I ever had with it was jamming film <p>

I need to be "absolutely careful" to get the film aligned correctly when I load the camera and close the back. If not, the film will jamb after 6 or 8 shots and only a trip to a dark closed can salvage the pictures. <p>

If I dont rush the film loading process the camera can be trouble free.<p>

I don't really know if this is a chronic problem with the ME Supers, but that has been my experience.

[brendonmeyer]

<p>Had a similar problem, only with mine the mirror was stuck in the "up" position. I know you said you don't

want to disassemble it, but I'll still suggest going down to Radio Shack or a Home Depot, etc (unless you already

have one) and get a

#00 screwdriver ($4-5 for a small set, $15 for a larger set of screwdrivers). There's 3 little screws on the base

plate, plus the battery cap. When you get that base plate off check the area pictured here.

 

<p><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/brendon.l.meyer/SPMKujDwYiI/AAAAAAAADnM/QlwHk4rRS-E/pentax_repair.jpg"><br

/>#00 screwdriver pictured

 

<p>Where the screwdriver is pointing is a rod that attaches to the shutter button. Pushing the shutter button

moves the rod downward causing other parts to move outward. That rod could be stuck (as mine was) and simply

pushing on it very gently could release it.

 

<p>Trust me, I fixed mine completely by accident just poking around in there. I just barely poked that thing to

see which parts moved and when I did the shutter released and everything worked flawlessly afterwards. May not

fix yours but for $5 or so and the self-satisfaction of fixing it yourself it's easily worth a shot. And if that's

not the problem, no big loss, take it to your camera guy.

 

<p>One of the screws is slightly shorter (or longer, can't remember) than the other 2, so make sure and make a

note of what goes where, and all 3 are obviously pretty small so don't lose one!. Other

than that there's nothing to it. I mean if I can do it, anyone can. Heck I'll even bust out the camcorder and

walk you through the whole thing if you like. 3 screws and those 2 caps and that's it. I wouldn't even call it

disassembling, really.

[brendonmeyer]

Well, looks like once again Picasa is being screwy with linking images.<div></div>

[glenn_mabbutt]

Thanks for the tip - I took off the bottom and tried the shutter button, and it moves freely - it's the winding/shutter cocking cam that's stuck for some reason. I poked around a bit, but I didn't see an easy way to release that manually.

 

It's off to my repair guy now :(