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Great video, easy fix, other videos did way too much and yeah I agree that the designers knew what they were doing! Thank you so much, hope other Spotmatic users find this.
I have just come across this video, I have a Pentax SP500 which has this problem. I have followed your vid and carried out this procedure my camera is now working. Cheers.
I have owned the camera since the early 1980s, l bought it secondhand and it was in full use until 2004/5 when I got my first digital camera. It has been in retirement ever since. In recent times I took up an interest black n white film. This is when I discovered it didn’t want to play with me. So next step is to get a Ilford xp2 film in it. Again cheers.
Awesome video, I got a used Pentax KX last year and with time this started happening so I couldn't use it, now thanks to your video I'm starting a new roll, thanks a lot pal
Thank you so much! I've got an Asahi Pentax K1000 and I could NOT find a solution until I finally watched this video-- you definitely just saved me like $50 plus the cost of traveling out-of-town, since no one does film camera repair in San Antonio, apparently. THANKS!
Followed your method. It worked! My Spotmatic SP is back in business. Shot a roll. Developed. Good results. Thanks! My other SP is dead -- the sprocket in the film chamber (or whatever it's called) is cracked at its base. Dang.
Watch oil on the mirror return gears and shafts is all that is required, I have repaired many of these. I always replace the mirror bumper foam at same time. Like you I am not a fan of altering anything.
Muchas gracias! Su solución me funcionó a la perfección. Había llevado la cámara a un taller y dijeron que no tenía arreglo... pero era solo de aceitar el mecanismo. Gracias!
Sorry to hear that. A couple of ideas for breaking loose stuck screws. Disclaimer: These are not recommendations, use your own judgment, and proceed at your own risk. 1) Put a SMALL drop of isopropanol on the screw and let it soak for a minute, then try again. 2) Assuming everything involved is metal (not plastic), try a little heat from a soldering iron directly on the screw head for a second or two. Hope you find a way!
I don't know for sure. The Pentax ME has an electronic shutter, while the Spotmatic is fully mechanical. It could still be that the mirror return mechanism is the same, though. Personally, I would just take off the bottom plate to have a look. Good luck!
Hello, I'm facing the exact same problem, I don't want to file it down and instead want to apply lubricant; however before applying a light camera oil lubricant, should i apply a few drops of 99% isopropyl alcohol to first clean old lubricant residue and gunk?
If it looks dirty, it might (?) be a good idea, but I'd try the minimum first. Just be careful not to apply too much, or wash any grunge downwards into the works. I'd probably try using a cotton swab lightly dampened with IPA or similar. You don't want to get any dirt deeper into the spindles or wash away any lubricant that's still working. Good luck!
Does cold weather affect the camera too? I bought a Spotmatic one week later shutter gets stuck. Once I set it to 1000 speed it goes through but the next shot gets shot
Hi!, great video, thnaks for sharing. My ESII ( new to me) has the stuck mirror up, y try your solution and it worked, but the mirror goes up when i cranck the shutter, the shutter release button is not free, i feel it's clogged a bit.... I assume i need to peel the leather and work in the front part of the camera...do you have a tip on this scenario? thanks for your opinion!
Help: My other SP has a broken sprocket “shaft”; i.e, some of the teeth the bottom of the shaft have broken off. Camera will not advance the film. Might this be repairable by a hacker like me?
I wouldn't personally recommend it. With a quick web search, I learned that coconut oil has good lubricity properties but higher wear than similar mineral oils. The main problems, in my uneducated opinion, would be two things. 1) The pour point of coconut oil is around 21-24C, which means at or below that temperature, it will be a solid, which probably isn't good for the movement of camera parts. 2) It can go rancid and support mold growth.
If you're reading this, I appreciate you, so subscribe now to join our community, because it helps us grow. Though your click to subscribe now costs you nothing, it makes a huge impact. I've committed to giving you the best content I can make. I hope I can count on you to subscribe, OK?
Perfect. Thank you for taking the trouble to publish this.
Wishing you many more photos with your Pentax. :)
Great video, easy fix, other videos did way too much and yeah I agree that the designers knew what they were doing! Thank you so much, hope other Spotmatic users find this.
Thanks, I'm glad it helped! Enjoy your Pentax! :)
I'd like to add my thanks to the list. I've now repaired a couple spotmatics with mirror issues. Thanks for the video.
I'm so glad to help. I hope they take many more photos.:)
I have just come across this video, I have a Pentax SP500 which has this problem. I have followed your vid and carried out this procedure my camera is now working. Cheers.
Awesome! Glad I could help. :)
I have owned the camera since the early 1980s, l bought it secondhand and it was in full use until 2004/5 when I got my first digital camera. It has been in retirement ever since. In recent times I took up an interest black n white film. This is when I discovered it didn’t want to play with me. So next step is to get a Ilford xp2 film in it. Again cheers.
Awesome video, I got a used Pentax KX last year and with time this started happening so I couldn't use it, now thanks to your video I'm starting a new roll, thanks a lot pal
That’s awesome! Glad I could help!
Way better than other videos about this and to the point. My thanks to you
Glad you liked it, and thank you!
Super helpful. Thanks!
Glad to hear it!
Thank you so much. My Spotty is now, touch wood, firing properly on all speeds after 100 test advances. ☺ 📸
Awesome! I hope you shoot many more rolls with it. :)
Thank you so much! I've got an Asahi Pentax K1000 and I could NOT find a solution until I finally watched this video-- you definitely just saved me like $50 plus the cost of traveling out-of-town, since no one does film camera repair in San Antonio, apparently.
THANKS!
You're super welcome! I hope you shoot many more photos with your K1000! :)
Simple and effective. Problem solved. Thank you so much.
Glad it helped!
Thank you! Just brought my Spotmatic back to life!
You're so welcome! Hope you love using it again! :)
Perfect! thank you soo much! quick fix on my beloved camera I got handed down! This video means the world to me!
Glad it helped you!
Followed your method. It worked! My Spotmatic SP is back in business. Shot a roll. Developed. Good results. Thanks! My other SP is dead -- the sprocket in the film chamber (or whatever it's called) is cracked at its base. Dang.
Woohoo! I love to hear that. Thanks for sharing. :)
Flawless!! Thank you for sharing,greetings from Italy 🍻👋🏻
Thank you very much! I hope you repair yours and shoot some film, too!
Watch oil on the mirror return gears and shafts is all that is required, I have repaired many of these. I always replace the mirror bumper foam at same time. Like you I am not a fan of altering anything.
Good idea, thanks!
Muchas gracias! Su solución me funcionó a la perfección. Había llevado la cámara a un taller y dijeron que no tenía arreglo... pero era solo de aceitar el mecanismo. Gracias!
¡De nada! Espero que tomes muchas más fotos. :)
Thannk You So much for this video. I got panic when shutter got locked
You’re welcome! Happy shooting!
Dear brother you did nice job.I am not able to get any mechanic to release shutter jam in 3of my cameras.
Thank you
Vey good and to the point which is refreshing and you got another subscriber!
Awesome, thank you!
Very helpful video thank you.
You're welcome!
Thank you for share! Unfortunaly, the baseplate bolts of my camera are very tight.
Sorry to hear that. A couple of ideas for breaking loose stuck screws. Disclaimer: These are not recommendations, use your own judgment, and proceed at your own risk. 1) Put a SMALL drop of isopropanol on the screw and let it soak for a minute, then try again. 2) Assuming everything involved is metal (not plastic), try a little heat from a soldering iron directly on the screw head for a second or two. Hope you find a way!
Thanks dude. Great vid for a easy fix
No problem 👍
Thank you!
You're welcome!
Thank you. Problem solved.
Glad I could help. :)
Great video can I ask where you buy screwdriver set please
There's an affiliate link for the screwdriver set in the comments. Good luck!
Does the Pentax ME have the same mechanism? Just making sure before I open it up, I can only find info for the ME Super and Spotmatic. Thanks!
I don't know for sure. The Pentax ME has an electronic shutter, while the Spotmatic is fully mechanical. It could still be that the mirror return mechanism is the same, though. Personally, I would just take off the bottom plate to have a look. Good luck!
Thanks ,many.
You are welcome!
Hello, I'm facing the exact same problem, I don't want to file it down and instead want to apply lubricant; however before applying a light camera oil lubricant, should i apply a few drops of 99% isopropyl alcohol to first clean old lubricant residue and gunk?
If it looks dirty, it might (?) be a good idea, but I'd try the minimum first. Just be careful not to apply too much, or wash any grunge downwards into the works. I'd probably try using a cotton swab lightly dampened with IPA or similar. You don't want to get any dirt deeper into the spindles or wash away any lubricant that's still working. Good luck!
Does cold weather affect the camera too? I bought a Spotmatic one week later shutter gets stuck. Once I set it to 1000 speed it goes through but the next shot gets shot
It definitely could. Cold makes oil more viscous. Of course, it could ust be the ge of the camera showing, too. Good luck!
Hi!, great video, thnaks for sharing. My ESII ( new to me) has the stuck mirror up, y try your solution and it worked, but the mirror goes up when i cranck the shutter, the shutter release button is not free, i feel it's clogged a bit.... I assume i need to peel the leather and work in the front part of the camera...do you have a tip on this scenario? thanks for your opinion!
Sorry, I don't know that one. Good luck!
Help: My other SP has a broken sprocket “shaft”; i.e, some of the teeth the bottom of the shaft have broken off. Camera will not advance the film. Might this be repairable by a hacker like me?
Sorry, that’s not a repair I’m familiar with. Worth a shot, though, because otherwise you have a brick, right?
It’s a brick. Looks like it’s much cheaper to buy another Spotmatic.
Could i use a dab of raw coconut oil ?
I wouldn't personally recommend it. With a quick web search, I learned that coconut oil has good lubricity properties but higher wear than similar mineral oils. The main problems, in my uneducated opinion, would be two things. 1) The pour point of coconut oil is around 21-24C, which means at or below that temperature, it will be a solid, which probably isn't good for the movement of camera parts. 2) It can go rancid and support mold growth.
@@homestudioplace will wahl blade
Clipper oil do the trick ?
I have used Braun clipper oil in the past. It worked, but I can't vouch for how long.
@@homestudioplaceokay. I appreciate the prompt responses. Ill try with this method and keep you updated for future viewers
Thanks work for me!
You're welcome!