Mamiya 6 shutter problems in cold weather

[Evan Bedford]

I've found that my 6 works just fine at room temperature, but when I took it out for a shoot at 5C (about 40F), the shutter button wouldn't re-set, and thus I couldn't advance the film to the next exposure. I had a spare set of brand new batteries with me, so I popped those in. But still nothing. I thought later that perhaps if I had kept the batteries in my pocket, that might have made a difference. However, it wouldn't have taken very long for those tiny batteries to lose their small amount of heat to the massive bulk of the camera anyways.

I could use the "stop-release" button to re-set things, but I don't want to have to rely on that.

Back home, at room temperature, everything is back to normal.

Has anyone else had a similar problem with the 6 at cold temps? I see this thread is applicable: http://rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=130932&highlight=mamiya+6+shutter+cold

But I was just wondering if it's a common phenomenon? And and what temp's does the 6 start to act up? I'll have to sell the unit, but I'd like to be able to warn a potential buyer that at a certain temp, the camera is inoperable.

 

[Evan Bedford]

Now I have my doubts about the batteries being the issue. I left the unit out in the cold to equilibrate to about 5C. I quickly brought it in, confirmed that the shutter button wasn't re-setting, and then tested the battery voltages. Both of them were 1.56 volts, straight out of the cold camera. So perhaps there is some electrical or mechanical contact in there that doesn't like the cold.

 

[Evan Bedford]

The following thread is interesting (see the last response regarding a magnet): http://photo.net/medium-format-photography-forum/003ieU

The description of the effects mirrors what was happening to my 6 exactly. Anyone care to guess if those magnets are still around?

 

[john_s]

There is a link to a post of mine at photo.net here:

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=99875

It seems to be part of the interlock system. I still haven't had mine repaired as I have a spare body. I think the parts are available. It's about time I had this fixed. If I make enquiries soon I'll report back.

 

[Evan Bedford]

There is a link to a post of mine at photo.net here:

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=99875

It seems to be part of the interlock system. I still haven't had mine repaired as I have a spare body. I think the parts are available. It's about time I had this fixed. If I make enquiries soon I'll report back.

Sounds like the same issue. Thanks John.

Anyways, after hitting that emergency release button quite a few times, the camera's behaviour seems to have changed a bit. Now it works in the cold (I left it out in shed for a few hours this morning when it was a bit below freezing). And not only does it work in the cold, but at room temperature, the various clicks are a bit different. Before, there were three distinct clicks (shutter opening, then shutter closing, then a split second later, a louder click...to allow the frame advance?). But now, I just hear two clicks. Perhaps it's just shutter open and shutter close, or perhaps the frame advance click is now simultaneous with the shutter close click.

I'll have to send a roll of film through it on a cold shoot to verify that everything is working well, though.

 

[Evan Bedford]

I spoke too soon. Now that the camera has warmed up again, I do have the split second interval between the two later clicks. The two-click behaviour only seemed to happen when the camera was cold.

 

[Michiel Fokkema]

I had exactly the same problem few years ago. It seems it had to do with some ball bearings in the lens. I had it cla'd and the problem was gone.

 

[Evan Bedford]

I did another test. Left it out at freezing temps for about an hour, then, with a dummy roll, starting winding and clicking. For the 1st exposure, I needed to use the emergency button to get to the 2nd. But then the next 3 or 4 exposures went OK. Then another exposure when I had to use the button. Then another 3 or 4 that were OK. But then every exposure after that, until the end, necessitated the emergency button. So now I'm wondering what would happen if I somehow was able to keep the button in the depressed position. Krazy Glue, perhaps?

 

[Evan Bedford]

...now I'm wondering what would happen if I somehow was able to keep the button in the depressed position. Krazy Glue, perhaps?

Scrap that idea. I tried it while holding the button in with a paper clip. It would let me advance, but the next frame wouldn't allow a shutter opening. Guess I'll have to live with it. Either keep a paper clip on hand at all times, or sell it for parts.

 

[john_s]

.... or sell it for parts.

I think it's repairable, but I don't know how much it could cost. Also, I did read a post where someone had a technician to disable the interlock rather than source parts. Worked like a charm but there was a downside. I think it was that it could be wound on multiple times without taking a shot, so he had to be mindful.