My R is jammed!

pesphoto

pesphoto

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So I was just out shooting and finished a roll of TriX. I loaded in a new roll,
fire off one frame to advance the film and that was it. It jammed, meter is still working but I can't move the film advance and the shutter wont fire. I checked the film curtains and both are closed. They have jammed in the past, but it's not the problem this time.
I have my GSN I can use for now, but I dont know what to do about the R.
 
Why do you scare me like that? I have an R and I cringe everytime someone post a message like this. 😱😉 Have you tried pushing in the button on bottom of camera? I am just guessing? Hope you get it resolved soon and let us R users know what fixed the problem.

Good luck
Greg
 
I did try that and it's not the cause. IM a bit concerned after reading this on Cameraquest's site.
Quote: BE CAREFUL not to advance the film while the shutter is still open from the previous exposure when you get in a hurry, or on slow shutter speeds. This is the cause of 99% of the jammed shutters I have encountered.
I wasnt in a hurry, but I wonder if I rushed it when loading. S*@t!
 
Okay. I don't have an "R" but I do have a Cosina-made SLR body that's very similar to the "R". Had that camera since the early 90's and it jammed on me twice. Before you send it out you might consider trying this...

I'm left-handed so reverse it if you're right-handed. Hold the camera lens side facing you, in your left hand, grip it firmly near the edge but leave as much surface area on the back of your camera as you can.

Hold out your right hand, and give your camera a reasonably firm (firm, but don't go crazy) "thwack" on the back of the camera. Try it a couple times. Hopefully you'll hear the beautiful sound of the shutter releasing.

I "unjammed" my Cosina Vivitar S3000 twice by doing this. My understanding is the basic mechanics of this camera (standard issue Cosina SLR) and the "R" is very similar. I didn't make this up, I read about this solution many years ago on some Internet site somewhere for a Pentax SLR (I think), that was prone to jams. So I just tried it and it worked a charm.

This is not a joke post. Worth a shot. Worked twice for me.

Also, I haven't had a jam in years now because I use this camera regularly, and exercise this shutters once in a while. Inactivitiy kills these things.
 
pesphoto said:
I did try that and it's not the cause. IM a bit concerned after reading this on Cameraquest's site.
Quote: BE CAREFUL not to advance the film while the shutter is still open from the previous exposure when you get in a hurry, or on slow shutter speeds. This is the cause of 99% of the jammed shutters I have encountered.
I wasnt in a hurry, but I wonder if I rushed it when loading. S*@t!
Click to expand...


I read that too and still bought/love the camera. Haven't had my R long but haven't had any trouble out of my L. I would like to know just what it is about the shutter/advance is that you have to baby with so much. Maybe some tech wizard can enlighten us.
 
NickTrop said:
Okay. I don't have an "R" but I do have a Cosina-made SLR body that's very similar to the "R". Had that camera since the early 90's and it jammed on me twice. Before you send it out you might consider trying this...

I'm left-handed so reverse it if you're right-handed. Hold the camera lens side facing you, in your left hand, grip it firmly near the edge but leave as much surface area on the back of your camera as you can.

Hold out your right hand, and give your camera a reasonably firm (firm, but don't go crazy) "thwack" on the back of the camera. Try it a couple times. Hopefully you'll hear the beautiful sound of the shutter releasing.

I "unjammed" my Cosina Vivitar S3000 twice by doing this. My understanding is the basic mechanics of this camera (standard issue Cosina SLR) and the "R" is very similar. I didn't make this up, I read about this solution many years ago on some Internet site somewhere for a Pentax SLR (I think), that was prone to jams. So I just tried it and it worked a charm.

This is not a joke post. Worth a shot. Worked twice for me.

Also, I haven't had a jam in years now because I use this camera regularly, and exercise this shutters once in a while. Inactivitiy kills these things.
Click to expand...

Sounds like a winner to me Nick. I'll keep this handily stored in my brain just incase I need it.
 
Phots and not Fence?

Phots and not Fence?

I thought you were supposed to be putting up a fence this weekend?
OK
You finished the fence and these were to be photos of the 'Great Wall of Providence'.
Joking aside - did you fix the fence?
Bad luck about the jamming - self timer lever not the problem?
Worries me too when I hear stories like this.

Hope you get it fixed.
Best wishes.
j
 
My first Bessa L jammed in a similar way. The cause was a loose screw in the winding mechanism, at the bottom of the takeup shaft, accessible by removing the base plate.
Sadly I'd already damaged the body beyond repair when I discovered this.
The screw in question appears to be held tight by a locking compound around its head.
Hopefully Nick's suggestion will put you back in business and opening up the camera or sending it to a professional don't become necessary.
 
I use an R2M and had the same problem, I think. Open the back, take your film of the transport wheels (those with teeth) and slowly turn these in the direction of the film (advancing) until you hear a klick or feel the end. Now you sould be able to release the shutterbutton. Good luck.
 
Thanks all. Nick Ive tried your suggestion with no luck. Still jammed.
I do have a theory beside the winding the film advance too quickly.
About a month ago I dropped the camera and when I picked up the camera it seemed fine, except the window covering the exposure window was gone.
Now...my fear is maybe the winow went inside the camera and now is jamming the advance mechanism. Possible?

As far as the fence, it's happening next weekend. My neighbor wasnt quite ready to go this weekend and I wasnt dissapointed as I needed a break from house stuff this weekend. Jesse1dog, I'll still fly you in.....I will post pics when it's done.
 
Bébèrt said:
I use an R2M and had the same problem, I think. Open the back, take your film of the transport wheels (those with teeth) and slowly turn these in the direction of the film (advancing) until you hear a klick or feel the end. Now you sould be able to release the shutterbutton. Good luck.
Click to expand...

Just tried it...no go. What does Stephen charge to fix BEssa R's?
 
My R jammed on me once and it released itself after some time (minutes rather than hours). Scary sh*t for sure. 🙂 I'd hate this to happen to my R-D1.
 
Ack! Still no go!Thing is the shutter does press down but doesnt fire, that's why Im thinking something is jammed in the film advance.
D@%m! And I just got my new eye cup in the mail....
 
My friend had this sort of problem recently with his r. He removed the baseplate (3-4 tiny screws) and fiddled with longest shaft like piece it did the job one of the springs attached to it came loose. Hope this helps, sorry for poor technical vocabulary
 
I had the same problem, exactly the same... I get the camera to a repair man of my confidence and a very good technician... I got it repaired in less than 24 hours... I could ask him what were the cause of the jamming and post the answer to you to see if that help...
 
cruz said:
My friend had this sort of problem recently with his r. He removed the baseplate (3-4 tiny screws) and fiddled with longest shaft like piece it did the job one of the springs attached to it came loose. Hope this helps, sorry for poor technical vocabulary
Click to expand...

Thanks, but beyond changing light seals it scares me to start taking the amera apart on my own. Would rather pay a couple hundred to have it done by a repair pro.
 
RML said:
My R jammed on me once and it released itself after some time (minutes rather than hours). Scary sh*t for sure. 🙂 I'd hate this to happen to my R-D1.
Click to expand...

I kinda doubt you'll have to worry much about your RD1 jamming up unless you put a film advance lever on that thing for nastalgic reasons.😀 Couldn't resist I know you were referring to the shutter.
 
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