Oly XA4 jammed

[FrankS]

I very recently got a hold of an XA4. I installed a roll of Tri-X and got to frame #13 when the camera jammed. I took a shot, heard the shutter click, and tried to wind on the film to the next frame but the winding wheel is stuck/immobile.

Later, I pushed in the film rewind button, rewound and removed the roll. The winding wheel is still stuck and the rewind button remains pushed in.

I've tried moving the film sprocket wheel inside the camera, opened and closed the cover several times, and removed/reinstalled the batteries. Still stuck.

I've had a few XA's over the years that have all died so I don't have a good record with these cameras, but this wide angle version I really like.

Any ideas about how to fix it? Thanks!

 

[kuzano]

THE person with a strong history on Oly rangefinders and SLR

THE person with a strong history on Oly rangefinders and SLR

I very recently got a hold of an XA4. I installed a roll of Tri-X and got to frame #13 when the camera jammed. I took a shot, heard the shutter click, and tried to wind on the film to the next frame but the winding wheel is stuck/immobile.

Later, I pushed in the film rewind button, rewound and removed the roll. The winding wheel is still stuck and the rewind button remains pushed in.

I've tried moving the film sprocket wheel inside the camera, opened and closed the cover several times, and removed/reinstalled the batteries. Still stuck.

I've had a few XA's over the years that have all died so I don't have a good record with these cameras, but this wide angle version I really like.

Any ideas about how to fix it? Thanks!

Jon at his web site, Zuiko.com... He has posted on RFF often in the past.

He is still the man to send OM SLR's to for CLA or rebuild. He used to do all the rangefinder line and the XA rangefinders.

I don't think he is doing anything other than SLR OM models, but he is relatively easy to contact. His Zuiko.com site has price listing for services he is still doing, and those camera's he is no longer servicing.

I only refer you to him as a reasonable first contact to get an answer to your question.

 

[David Hughes]

Hi,

I'll second that but then I always have thought that broken things should be repaired by someone who knows what he or she is doing. Had you asked about the XA2's I would have given the same answer.

FWIW, I worry about all these people who go around telling everyone how easy it is to repair cameras and so on. It's only easy if you know what you are doing because of years of experience and have the right tools* and spare parts available in case of accidents...

As I see it, if you have to ask then you shouldn't attempt it.

OK, rant over...

Regards, David

* The right tools are essential. A lot of damage is done by people using poor quality screwdrivers, for example, and then the remains of the screw with a damaged slot have to be removed and that isn't an easy job. Also paying out serious money for tools to be used once is a waste of money that could be used towards the repair costs. And it will keep the good repairers in business and so benefit us all.