Minolta X-700 issue

[Drack]

I`ve just received another X-700 and this one has a rather strange problem. The this is that, when I put in the batteries the camera dies on me. The lightmeter works great, selftimer works, however the shutter does not fire. I have no idea what might the problem be. It seems as if when the shutter button is pressed all the way a connection is lost and camera turns off. The shutter is cocked and the curtains do not move a bit. Both the battery compartment and the curtains look like new.

[philslizzy]

ooh, doesnt sound good. I hope its worth fixing.

[Excalibur]

At a guess.......... it could be the fault of a dodgy capacitor, more common in early serial numbers. The good news, if it is this problem, is you can fix it yourself cheaply with a soldering iron.

[Lloydy]

I think I've read about the capacitor problem as well, I think it's an easy fix under the bottom plate ?

[keltzar]

Hmm. Could be a problem with the electromagnet in the shutter assembly ?

I am thinking if it is a problem withheld capacitor the problem would have surfaced years ago... This sounds like a shutter problem which occurs with these cameras which may have been in storage a long time.

Just a thought.

[Drack]

I did take off the bottom plate and saw that the capacitor had some fluid ( i guess the electrolite ) near it`s bottom right between the "legs". I`m almost positive that this is the issue.

I `ve also considered that it might be the magnet, however usually these magnets lats forever or die because of high current. In this case, I doubt that this camera could reach such currents that might burn it.

[philslizzy]

Good luck and I hope you can fix it.

image at :[url] http://www.twid.de/x700/#fixc[/url]

[Drack]

[philslizzy]

The cap looks like a standard part. I have the same camera, if it plays up i know where to look now!

[Excalibur]