Minolta 9000 stop down problems

[sam_marsh1]

I now have two Minolta 9000s with the same problem (ebay!) and was wondering

whether anyone else has managed to deal with it. Both cameras are hit and miss

as to whther they'll stop down the aperture whether for the DOF preview or for

the actual shot. They are more likely to do so if two photos are taken in quick

succession. In fact, using the motor-drive on continuous shooting they will

stop down everytime after a couple of misses. More strangely if the aperture is

stopping down OK for the DOF preview, leaving the camera to sit for a little

while (a minute, say) means it will no longer do it.

 

A camera repair man I contacted thought it was probably the stop down

electromagnets that needed cleaning. Is he right? I was wondering whether it

would be more to do with some capacitor that isn't working right (i.e. loses

its charge over time). Any ideas? The 9000 is a lovely camera to hold and it's

a shame that I can't use it to its full capcity.

 

Thanks, Sam.

[Michael R Freeman]

<i>"A camera repair man I contacted thought it was probably the stop down electromagnets that needed cleaning. Is he right?"</i><P>

 

Probably. This is a pretty common failure on the original 7000/9000 series Maxxums.

[sam_marsh1]

Thanks for the response. I don't suppose anyone round here has a repair manual on CD that I could have a copy of? I'm a bit reluctant to pay ebay prices for one!

[weatherman]

The turth is it is too old to be repaired. Just have to be added to your collection of broken gadgets I guess..

[sam_marsh1]

I know it is an old model and has been superceded, but I really like using it. Ebay prices aren't as bad as I thought so I'm going to pick up a repair manual and give it a go...