Contax RTS Jammed

[Xpres]

Very ocasionally I take out my RTS and today was one of those times. I had the winder attached and all was fine - and then it jammed and wouldn't wind on. The rewind button seems to be stuck in, the wind on lever is stuck also.
I can't see anything obvious with the bottom off.
Any ideas anyone?
Am I now the proud owner of a piece of junk? Or is the an easy fix?
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[Orio]

Do things work without the winder attachment?
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[peterqd]

This sounds very similar to the problem I had with a Spotmatic recently, the mirror hadn't latched and this stops the shutter firing. I found a similar problem with a Minolta too, so maybe it will apply to your camera - worth a try I would think. Here's the thread showing how to cure it.
http://forum.mflenses.com/jammed-spotmatic-t7169,highlight,jammed.html
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Lenses: M42 - CZJ 20, 35, 50, 135 - Meyer/Pentacon 50, 135, 200
Russian - J9, J21, J37A, M1v, M24m, I50, H44m Vega12
Takumar 28, 35, 50, 55, 135 - Vivitar 28 - Rokkor 50
K-mount : Pentax-M 28, 50 - Tamron zooms :SP 35-80, 28-80, 60-300
DSLR:Canon 400D 35mm SLR: Pentax Spotmatic SP & SPII, ME Super, K2 - Chinon CE-3 - Minolta XG-M - Praktica Nova 1B & PLC2,
Rangefinder: Zorki-4, Beauty Light-o-matic II Medium Format: Yashica-Mat 124G

[maddog10]

Does the camera/winder use a battery? I have had an Olympus OM10 jam in a manner similar to this, it needed the battery to operate correctly.
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Michael Hill

DSLR: Nikon - D3, D80, D40 Canon- 5D
Film: Nikon - F5, F2, F, EM, FG, FE, Nikkorex Contax - G2 Mamiya - M645 Olympus - OM1 Praktika - LTL PLC3 Pentax - Spotmatic SP Yashica Electro 35 GSN Zenit - B
Nikon Mount Lens: Nikkor - 2.8/20 2.8/24 2/28 2.8/28 3.5/28 2/35 2.8/35 1.4/50 1.8/50 2/50 1.8/85 2/85 2.5/105 2.8/135 3.5/135 2.8/180 4/200 4.5/300 Micro 2.8/55 Micro 4/200 Zoom 3.5/36-72 3.5/43-86 4/70-210 Sigma - Zoom 2.8-4/35-70 Soligor - 3.5-4.5/28-80 4.5/80-200 5.6/95-310 Tamron - SP 2.8-3.8/35-80 SP 3.5/70-210 3.8-4/80-210 Vivitar - 3.8/19 2.8/28 (Series 1) 3.5-4.5/19-35 (Kiron) 3.5/70-210 Zenitar - 2.8/16
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[Xpres]

Thanks for the comments.

The winder is off ( and works fine) but it's the camera that's stuck. The battery is OK.
Peter the mirror thing sounds good but the Contax looks a little different inside. I wonder which bit is connected to the mirror mechanism?
It seems to be the rewind button that's not popping back up and jamming the rest.
Any more thoughts? Here's a snap of bottom.


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E1, SD14 and some other stuff!

[F16SUNSHINE]

Don't brick the camera. I had this problem one time with the rewind button on a Yashica FR (same design). It was stuck in and after I took off the bottom I could see nothing to repair easily. All just as you described. I took it to my repair shop and the tech fixed it while assessing the problem (no charge). You should look at Peters link. If that does not solve it take it in to a good shop. This one should be an easy problem either way.
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Canon: 5D,40D Contax: Aria,RTS,RTS II, RX Leica: CL Voigtlander: Bessa L
Pentax: Spotmatic,SpotmaticF,MX,6x7
Yashica FR, FX3, 124G
Asahi:SuperTak4/17,1.4/50,SMC1.4/50 1.8/55,3.5/55(67), 2.5/105(67)
Contax: 4/18 2.8/28 2.8/35 1.4/50 2.8/60 1.4/85 2.8/85 2/100 3.5/100 2.8/180
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Zuiko 2/21 3.5/21 2/24 3.5/24shift 2/28 2/35 1.8/50 2.8/100
Russian/DDR/German: CZ 4.5/40 CZ 2.8/50 Trioplan 2.8/100 Primoplan 1.9/58 Mir 1 helios 44-2 industar 3.5/50
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[peterqd]

Well, I don't know this camera at all so I can't give much help, but I'm sure Andy is right, it's a simple fix when you find it. Michael's thought about the battery was sensible, but if you can rule that out it certainly looks like a mechanical problem.

The rewind button was stuck in on the Spotmatic too, I don't think this is the cause, just a symptom. On the Pentax ME Super the latch is under a plate similar to the one in your pic, is there anything under it? There's got to be a lever or a ratchet somewhere that you can move, either to latch the mirror or to release the shutter. I can see several parts in your pic that might be it. Sorry I can't help more, it's frustrating for you.
_________________

Lenses: M42 - CZJ 20, 35, 50, 135 - Meyer/Pentacon 50, 135, 200
Russian - J9, J21, J37A, M1v, M24m, I50, H44m Vega12
Takumar 28, 35, 50, 55, 135 - Vivitar 28 - Rokkor 50
K-mount : Pentax-M 28, 50 - Tamron zooms :SP 35-80, 28-80, 60-300
DSLR:Canon 400D 35mm SLR: Pentax Spotmatic SP & SPII, ME Super, K2 - Chinon CE-3 - Minolta XG-M - Praktica Nova 1B & PLC2,
Rangefinder: Zorki-4, Beauty Light-o-matic II Medium Format: Yashica-Mat 124G

[Xpres]

Thanks Peter - yes terribly frustrating. If I remove that plate I suspect a dozen springs will fly....... I'll find some courage tomorrow!
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E1, SD14 and some other stuff!

[peterqd]

I've been trying to find any info on this problem, I hope this is helpful:

The camera has a magnetic shutter release, which has to be the green solenoid coil in your picture. It looks like the lever below this in the picture has a centre pivot, and when this is rocked by the solenoid it should release the shutter manually.

I found this on the Camera Repair Forum:
"On all the [Yashica] FR series (and the Contax RTS) the release magnet is at the bottom on the rewind side. It is usually yellow or green. You can manually release the shutter there. If you can wind and release manually, you have an electrical problem. The self timer is mechanical but closes a switch to release the shutter. If it works, but the shutter release button does not, or is intermittent, you have isolated the problem to the release button switch."
_________________

Lenses: M42 - CZJ 20, 35, 50, 135 - Meyer/Pentacon 50, 135, 200
Russian - J9, J21, J37A, M1v, M24m, I50, H44m Vega12
Takumar 28, 35, 50, 55, 135 - Vivitar 28 - Rokkor 50
K-mount : Pentax-M 28, 50 - Tamron zooms :SP 35-80, 28-80, 60-300
DSLR:Canon 400D 35mm SLR: Pentax Spotmatic SP & SPII, ME Super, K2 - Chinon CE-3 - Minolta XG-M - Praktica Nova 1B & PLC2,
Rangefinder: Zorki-4, Beauty Light-o-matic II Medium Format: Yashica-Mat 124G

[Xpres]

Thanks for the fantastic info Peter. You're right on the mark about that switch but nothing happens when I try.
I think it must be something mechanical, but maybe deeper inside, that's jamming the rewind button. Whatever the answer it needs tearing down which would be fun but with little prospect of it going back together. It's a little more complex than the older stuff I usually play with. So it's in the box for now. I have a feeling another from ebay won't break the bank - unlike a repair bill!

Many thanks to all for your thoughts.
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E1, SD14 and some other stuff!