brian_keen1

<p>I have only just recently tried using the lens after the problem had initially appeared to have gone away.<br>

The fault still exists and now happens every time:-<br>

After the shutter fires, the shutter remains closed after the mirror has been returned to the down position by advancing the film. This time I did not use mirror lock-up, so at least I was able to remove the lens.<br>

Cleaning the lens contact pins and replacing the battery makes no difference. My other three lenses work fine, so there is no issue with the camera body.<br>

I missed some potentially good shots of some lavender fields. I made do with my 150mm lens but was unable to get the composition I wanted.<br>

I think I need to send the lens to an expert to be repaired.<br>

Brian.</p>

<p> </p>

<p>

<p > </p>

<p >I have been using my Bronica ETRSi for several years with no problems.</p>

<p >I recently bought what appeared to be a mint condition 250mm PE lens second hand.</p>

<p >I tried using it for the first time on location yesterday.</p>

<p > </p>

<p >After setting up the camera, I used the mirror lock-up as usual.</p>

<p >When I pressed the cable release to fire the shutter nothing happened.</p>

<p >I tried the shutter release button on the camera body - nothing.</p>

<p >I checked the battery LED in the viewfinder - all ok.</p>

<p >Now because the mirror was locked up, the camera interlocks would not allow me to remove the lens from the body.</p>

<p >The only way to release the mirror is to fire the shutter - catch 22.</p>

<p >The camera was completely locked up. I could not move the film advance crank either.</p>

<p > </p>

<p >I decided to first remove the film back to save the already exposed frames on the roll.</p>

<p >I inserted the dark slide, removed the back, fitted a spare, empty back and removed the dark slide.</p>

<p >After some fiddling with the multiple exposure lever, mirror lock up lever, film advance and</p>

<p >shutter release (I can't remember the exact sequence) with great relief I finally managed to remove the lens.</p>

<p > </p>

<p >When I looked into the rear of the lens, I could see the blades of the leaf shutter were stuck partially open.</p>

<p >The aperture diaphragm appeared to be working ok.</p>

<p >I decided not to attempt to use the lens again for the rest of the day.</p>

<p > </p>

<p >When I got home, I fitted the lens to the camera body with an empty film back.</p>

<p >I used the multiple exposure lever to allow me to cock the shutter without having to load film.</p>

<p >The shutter then immediately freed itself.</p>

<p >I then test fired the shutter many times using a combination of different shutter speeds, mirror lock-up etc.</p>

<p >It now seems to work perfectly.</p>

<p >I also tried putting a roll of blank paper in the film back to simulate normal operation so that I did not need to use the multiple exposure lever.</p>

<p > </p>

<p >Although the problem appears to have gone away, I'm concerned that it might happen again when I'm out in the field.</p>

<p >I have already lost one poterntally nice shot as a result.</p>

<p > </p>

<p >Has anyone else experienced a similar problem?</p>

<p >Can anyone suggest the most likely cause - mechanical, electrical?</p>

<p >If it does happen again, can anyone recommend a good repair specialist in the UK?</p>

<p > </p>

<p >Cheers,</p>

<p > </p>

<p >Brian.</p>

<p > </p>

</p>