Mamiya 7ii shutter not firing

[srichmond]

I just got a used Mamiya 7ii. It seemed fine when I checked it out, but after a few test shots, the shutter at the back of the lens no longer fires. I can hear the click, etc., no problem, but the blades simly don't open.

Should I ask for refund?

 

[lic4]

Have you made sure the lens to camera contacts are clean?

I love the Mamiya 7ii, but I've also found that they're not robust. Nippon Camera which services mine says that many photographers have to get them serviced every year.

 

[sevo]

There are quite a few things that can mess with the camera/lens communication on the Mamiya 7 apart from full-blown defects. Battery fine, contacts clean, lens properly seated?

 

[Bob Michaels]

I hate to risk insulting your intelligence. But must ask:

1) Are you sure that the curtain that allows you to change lenses is not closed?

2) Are you sure it has film in it?

3) Are you sure the batteries are good?

I learned 1) and 2) when I bought my Mamiya 7 years ago. FWIW, it has never needed servicing in spite of years of rough use.

 

[Benjamin]

I hate to risk insulting your intelligence. But must ask:

1) Are you sure that the curtain that allows you to change lenses is not closed?

2) Are you sure it has film in it?

3) Are you sure the batteries are good?

I learned 1) and 2) when I bought my Mamiya 7 years ago. FWIW, it has never needed servicing in spite of years of rough use.

The Mamiya won't function/fire without being loaded huh?

 

[sevo]

The Mamiya won't function/fire without being loaded huh?

On the 7II you can force it to fire by setting it to double exposure, but unless you do that, no...

 

[srichmond]

Thanks for the replies, folks. It's been usful to to confirm that I'm not missing something obvious.

Yes, I checked all these things, but the lens blades have just stopped opening, even though you hear the click of the shutter. I've even bought a new battery for it.

 

[StuartR]

Do you have access to another lens? It would be easy to check if the lens shutter on one was messed up by just putting another one. Also, what happens at 1s or bulb? The easiest way to see is to open the back and darkslide, set the lens to wide open, and then fire at 1s or some other very slow speed. If you see light, then you know it is working. If it is not, then you should see about finding another lens to test. I am not sure why it would click without the shutter moving unless a shutter spring or linkage has become detached.

 

[srichmond]

Yea, it's not having access to another lens that's part of the problem. I tried what you suggested, even setting it to B, and no light comes through because the blades don't open.

I'm going to see if I can get it repaired.

Thanks for all the suggestions/help. Has been really good.

 

[srichmond]

OK, for the record, I've fixed it!

I had cleaned the contacts between the lens and the camera with a lens cloth earlier, but this didn't fix it.

I read in the following review that using a pencil eraser was recommended:
http://tomwestbrook.com/Photography/mamiya_7ii.html

This worked. Very pleased!

 

[chris_li]

Congratulations and thanks for the link !
Wish I still had my Mamiya kit. The 43mm wa lens was amazing.

chris/wash. dc