minox 35ml oil(?) residue on aperture blades

[PatB]

Hi All,

 

Just got a Minox 35ml which does not work properly in P

mode. It leaves blank or almost blank frames; Aperture

mode seems to work fine. There's some faint residue on

the top aperture blade so perhaps that's stopping the

mechanism to release the aperture blades properly? If it

was sticking the frames would be overexposed rather

than underexposed, though...

 

Has anyone had this happen?

 

Also, do you find the Minox 35ml to be sensitive to old

batteries (this particular one was 2 years out of date but

never used)? I have just tested the camera with a

different battery and I can see the shutter is opening and

aperture changes depending on light source. Perhaps

that was the culprit?

 

Thanks!

 

Pat

[MTC Photography]

<p>Yes, expired battery has not enough juice</p>

[PatB]

The old battery was definitely to blame as I got every

frame blank when in P mode.

 

However, I tested the camera in bright light (and a brand

new battery) this morning, with the shutter cocked and

camera left untouched overnight. With the first try the

shutter did not open, with the second the shutter opened

very slightly and it was only with the third try that the

shutter opened as I'd expect. Once the shutter opens, it

fires consistently every time though.

 

I care very little for the P mode and never use it really

but it makes me wonder what's causing the issue; I've

never had blank frames in A mode by the way. Capacitors not getting enough juice the first time round?

The circuitry draining the battery overnight?