RESOLVED Dead ME Super

PaulC · Joined: 23 Dec 2008 Posts: 2318

My old Pentax just died. I fired the shutter and then either wound on or tried to wind on, either way the result is that the shutter will not fire - it feels as if it has fired - and the wind-on is locked, as if the shutter has not fired. (There seems to be some oil on the shutter blades, too). The mirror is in the locked up position.

Is anyone familiar with this? Is there an easy solution?

Scheimpflug · Expire: 2011-11-18

You might find some clues here:
http://www.mypentax.com/PentaxMeSuper.html

PaulC · Joined: 23 Dec 2008 Posts: 2318

Thanks.

Hmm... it's pretty clear that it has enough tiny bits to ensure that if I ever take it apart I will never succeed in putting it back together again (if past experience is anything to go by)

walter g · Joined: 20 Feb 2010 Posts: 2463 Location: NC, USA

I had it happen to my Minolta once. It haden't fully went to the next frame , and that is why the shutter wouldn't fire.
It made it feel like it was locked up. Try advaning to the the next frame even tho it won't let you. When you push the lever foward hit the shutter button and hopefully it releases.

Scheimpflug · Expire: 2011-11-18

Here's a few more things to try:

http://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-film-slr-discussion/77178-help-pentax-me-supers-mirror-stuck-up.html

http://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-film-slr-discussion/71791-mesuper.html

PaulC · Joined: 23 Dec 2008 Posts: 2318

Thanks, everyone. It's sorted now. A little very light pressure helped the shutter to click through to its completely fired position (it had stuck just before getting there) and now it seems to work OK. I guess the oil on the blades is the cause of the stickiness. Maybe I can get it off with a bit of Eclipse methanol.

peterqd · Expire: 2014-01-04

I've been trying to find the thread I posted about unjamming a Spotmatic but it seems have been lost in the server migration. The ME Super is a bit more complicated with its vertical metal shutter, but the principle is the same.

The mechanical procedure of firing the shutter is like tumbling dominoes - one action triggers the next. The release button causes the mirror to swing up, which then releases the shutter. The closing shutter releases the mirror, which drops down again and releases the wind-on lock. It needs to work like silk, so if anything gets stuck the mirror won't come down. A tiny drop of lubrication in the right place, or in your case cleaning the shutter blades, will usually cure it.

martinsmith99 · Expire: 2013-11-18

I remember using that thread to fix a spotty. I hope it hasn't gone.

peterqd · Expire: 2014-01-04

Found it!
http://forum.mflenses.com/jammed-spotmatic-t7169.html