GSN only clunking sometimes

[Covich]

Just got a GSN, and it seems to be in pretty good condition. I have read threads on the forum about how yashicas clunk when you advance the film, and if they don't the camera is likely not to function. My GSN clunks about one out of every six or so shots, so I'm not sure if it is broken. I just got a test roll back and most of the shots look pretty good, but three or four are really underexposed, could this be related?

 

[Covich]

the thingis it doesnt clunk very often, but it does get good exposures often.

so that wouldn't really make a whole bunch of sense.

when the camera doesn't clunk the shutter will fire, and seemingly at an acurate speed.

 

[jamesj]

i would think that it is going out....the pad of death....i havent replaced it but from what i have read it sure sounds like it....

i dont know i drank a whole bottle of wince so i dont know trust the whisper....

 

[JonR]

Friends
Could someone please explain what this "pod" thing is for me.... there is a lot of talk about it. I have several Yashicas all working well right now (Minister, GTN, GSN, CC, MG1) but they way I read about the POD problems here I guess this is something I have to look out for !??
Jon

 

[Harlee]

Pod

Pod

I 've had a mint MG1 for several years now and it's been taking some really nice pics, but I've noticed recently that inside the house, at F2.8, the shutter stays open, as if it were set on the "B" setting. I've also noticed that there isn't any clunk when I advance the film. I decided to replace the POD to see if it made any difference. I've done one other on a parts camera, and it wasn't too difficult. So, off came the top of the MG1, but I had a problem locating the POD. The setup is similar to a GSN, but on the MG1, it's located behind a thin brass housing, which the GSN's don't have.

Once I located the POD, I noticed that it had deteriorated, so using an Xacto knife, I removed the old POD, which literally fell apart, scrapped the flat surface as good as possible, and replaced the POD with a piece of brown plastic magnetic strip, such as you hold things with on the refrige. It's 2MM thick! Glued it in, let it set for a bit, put it back together and now the shutter opens and closes when I trip the shutter in the house, as it's supposed to do.

I'll post a couple of pics when I get them back. The whole operation took around 1/2 hour, perhaps less. Replacing the POD really made a big difference. Don't be afraid to attempt it.

 

[Covich]

I have just realized that the reason that the camera only clunkssometimes is beceause i was not pressing down the shutter all the way. I pressed the shutter down until it fired, and not the extra little bit needed to get the second click. I still don't know about those pictures that didn't turn out though.

Thanks for all the responses

 

[Harlee]

I'm not sure I understand. The clunk takes place when you advance the film AFTER the shutter opens and closes. You should hear the clunk when you advance the film. If it happens sometimes but not all the time, most likely the POD is deteriorating. Replacing it will make a big difference in what kind of pictures you get back. Try this, set the film speed dial at ASA 100, set the lens to F5.6 and without any film in it, take it indoors and depress the shutter.
See if the shutter opens and closes in about one second or a little less time. If the POD is bad, or going bad, you'll experience some differences in how long the shutter stays open. In my MG1, the shutter stayed open as if it were set to the "B" setting. Replacing the POD brought it back to the way it should be. It's not that difficult of a job.