Mamiya 6 sluggish release of frame advance

[StrAco]

Hi,

This is maybe a case of camera rheumatism...🙂

Quite often, after the first shot of the day, I am unable to wind on my M6 to the next frame. The shutter clicks normally and the camera's warning LED stays off. After a while (anything from 30s to several minutes) I hear a second slightly louder click, at which point I can wind on. On subsequent shots the second click usually occurs within a second (usually quicker) of the shutter click.

Clearly the second click is something to do with the release on the frame advance. The problem is worse when it's cold.

John Stockdale seems to have had a similar issue which he described in the other place (http://photo.net/medium-format-photography-forum/008QDh) but I wonder if anyone else has found this behaviour? I have yet to try shoogling the lens retract mechanism to see if that spurs the release into action.

On the assumption that the camera needs some attention, does anyone know of a decent repair shop somewhere in the north? I'm Glasgow-based. I can of course send it to Mamiya UK but maybe there are other options. The system was bought from Ffordes, and I understand they'd send it to Mamiya.

Many thanks,

Matt

 

[pixelatedscraps]

Sounds like a strange one, and I have never come across it in either of my Mamiya 6s, though the lowest temperature I used them in was only around -5C on a trip to France & Switzerland last year. My only 'cold-bug' issues were the cameras simply wouldn't turn on after about three or four hours in that temperature - which makes me think it was a battery issue because they would operate as normal once I took them inside to warmer temperatures.

I would send it immediately to Mamiya UK. Though it may be slightly more expensive than another repair agent, I would definitely have more peace of mind.

 

[Jelico]

Its a famous release magnet problem that has to be replaced. Good luck, look on this site (search repair shops) for a shop that can repair it, Mamiya UK was asking for 200 pounds to fix it (usually), but I had quotes for less than 50. Good luck....

 

[john_s]

I read somewhere (maybe photo.net?) that someone got a technician to remove the interlock altogether, solving the problem. He had to remember whether or not he had cocked the shutter/ wound on film because without the interlock it could be done repeatedly without taking a shot. I've considered it for my afflicted body (referred to by the OP in the photo.net post).