Canon 7 timer jam

[david-syd]

Hi

Well. I bought my first roll of film. About to put into the Canon 7 I recently bought. Silly I try to see how the timer work.

Now everything is jammed. Shutter button is jam. The Timer wont activate. Rewind hand cannot wind.

Looking at the threads. Looks like a CLA job. I now have to find someone to fix it .

Moral of the story. Unless a vintage camera has been CLA. probably good idea not to touch the timer if everything works.

its in good condition. So I may as well just pay someone to fix it so it will
last another 30 years.

David

 

[ForestCap]

Is the end of the timer's lever pointing straight up when its at the default position? If not it can be a simple error caused by a miss-installed lever, you may try this:

1. Unscrew the cap-screw that sits on the timer's lever. If you don't have a proper spanner try with two ball pens.

2. Push the lever to make the clockwork go as much as it can. You need to remove the lever and put it back on and push again, until you can't push it anymore. In the end more than 180 degree should be turned.

3. You should be able to press the shutter button now. Make sure the end of the lever points straight up when you re-install everything back, this means the clockwork is slightly engaged when the lever is at its default position. You'd understand when you fiddle with it.

 

[david-syd]

the timer was originally pointing up. But now it stops at about 10 o'clock.
I dont have a spanner and try the ballpoint. didnt work. Could you give me a link
to what a proper spanner looks like.?

 

[Mackinaw]

t.......Could you give me a link
to what a proper spanner looks like.?

Go to Amazon and search for "lens spanner."

Jim B.

 

[david-syd]

thanks for that. I just gone to ebay. Will buy one from there.

 

[ForestCap]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Utility-Spa...-Steel-ATAU-/391187103862?hash=item5b14918076

Something like this, the type that the pointy tips can get very close to each others.

The inside side of the lever has a curved "trench" that limits how far it can be pushed/turned. The "trench" allows a 180 degree turn, then it reaches one of the screws under it. And a healthy/complete timer clockwork engagement is done.

However, at default position, as long as if you remove the lever, the clockwork will immediately turn clock-wise about 45 degree, as you see in the middle picture, and you can't install the lever back with pointing at 12 o'clock due to the "trench"! 10 clock as you see on yours is the closest it can be. In this way the clockwork can be only partially engaged when you push the lever, and at a certain level, the partial engagement gets everything stuck. That's exactly what happened to my Canon-7. But now it has been fixed. Just finish the clockwork engagement, release the shutter, and catch the black cube with the lever before it goes too far on its way back.

 

[newfilm]

nukecoke, I'm curious do you turn clockwise or counter-clockwise to remove the self-timer leaver screw?

 

[ForestCap]

nukecoke, I'm curious do you turn clockwise or counter-clockwise to remove the self-timer leaver screw?

It's counter-clockwise.

 

[blumoon]

I had a Contax that the timer froze on. I fixed it by blowing a hair dryer at it for awhile to soften old grease after I had tried the method below.

Henry at Zeisscamera.com told me to try this:
Wind and release the shutter to make sure the shutter is completely released. Then:

1. Work the release button back and forth strongly. If this doesn't work try

2. Push the self timer lever down as far as it will go. If there is some springiness at the bottom of travel then release the lever very quickly and let it spring back. Do this many times if there is any springiness at the bottom of travel. You may get partial movement of the timer. If you do keep working at this until the timer is entirely reset.

 

[FrankS]

This is a good lesson. When you get an old camera, leave the self timer alone. It often sticks due to dried up lube, and that renders the camera inoperative.

 

[ColSebastianMoran]

Yup. For old cameras, "self-timer" should be relabeled "self-destruct."

For the OP, hope yours works out!

This is a good lesson. When you get an old camera, leave the self timer alone. It often sticks due to dried up lube, and that renders the camera inoperative.