Pentax CLA in Europe. Shutter troubles

[manfromh]

Some time ago I posted a topic about a Pentax ME Super I got for 64 dollars. Now I cant trust this camera anymore. The shutter is giving me troubles. Sometimes it doesnt open. I mean, the shutter moves, but there is no opening between the two curtains. Sometimes the opening is very little. If I do see a little light coming through, then its usually only one side of the "image circle". It's like there is no light coming through the left side of the shutter. It mostly happens at 2000th, but also at other speeds. If I continously fire the shutter, then the problem seems to eliminate itself (only at speeds lower than 1000th), but if I cock the shutter and leave the camera alone for few minutes, then fire, then there is no opening between the shutter curtains. What could be causing this? Can anyone tell me cheap(ish) CLA places in Europe?

I'm bad at explaining things, so I hope the text above isn't very confusing.

Matis

 

[ChrisN]

A good description of the problem called "shutter capping". I've seen it at 1/1000 on an MX. And yes, a CLA is required to fix it. I'm afraid I don't know of a good service person. Perhaps Kim Coxon can advise?

 

[Kim Coxon]

The problem is not likely to be capping in this case. The MES shutter is a Seiko electronic one. 😉 I had a similar problem on a K2 and the Ronsonol trick the same as with Canonets cured most of it. However, if that doesn't cure it, it may need a new shutter assembly but these suddenly seem to be more available.

As to repairers, there are 2 good ones in the UK. Michael Spencer near Derby is good, reliable and cheap. The other is Robin at Harrow Technical who was the chief repairer for Pentax before they moved out of London. He stayed behind to start on his own, still in Pentax House. He is slightly more expensive but again does very god work, has better spares availability and is probably the only guy in the UK I would trust to do an LX properly.

Kim

 

[manfromh]

Thanks to both!

What Ronsonol trick do you have in mind? And what exactly is Ronsonol?

I will think about the CLA. The prices I've seen on the net suggest that getting a new camera off ebay is cheaper. I love the ME Super, mostly because of the 2000th speed and aperture priority. Though my EOS 300v, is capable of the exact same things.

 

[zuikologist]

If you plan on using the ME Super for a few more years, it might be worth a CLA in any case. You will then have a known, good working camera.

 

[manfromh]

After some thinking I've decided to leave the camera as it is for now, and get the CLA whenever I get the right amount of "free money".

 

[manfromh]

This is an old old old thread, but I just cant leave my ME Super. As for the problem. It seems that the lower curtain is moving slower than the upper one (only sometimes). The upper curtain catches up with the lower one midway through the exposure, leaving half of the frame blank. This seems to happen more at high speeds. Im thinking it just needs re-lubrication.

I had a look at Harrows Techincal website, and 56 pounds is a little too much right now. I could not find any info on Michael Spencer though.

 

[Matthew Allen]

I hate to say this about any camera but I would probably just use your current body for spares and get a new one to use. The typical price on ebay for a working ME super is about £15-30 and the upper end of that range often includes a 50/1.7 that you can sell on, effectively giving you a free camera.

Matthew

 

[zuikologist]

This is an old old old thread, but I just cant leave my ME Super. As for the problem. It seems that the lower curtain is moving slower than the upper one (only sometimes). The upper curtain catches up with the lower one midway through the exposure, leaving half of the frame blank. This seems to happen more at high speeds. Im thinking it just needs re-lubrication.

I had a look at Harrows Techincal website, and 56 pounds is a little too much right now. I could not find any info on Michael Spencer though.

Michael Spencer is here: http://www.btinternet.com/~camerarepairer/

He does good work.

 

[manfromh]

Thanks Zuikologist! I'm probably going to send my camera to Michael Spencer once I save up the money for it.

I had a look on ebay, and the cameras are indeed quite cheap, but I might end up with something that also needs a CLA.