Testing a Nikon MD-E Motor Drive

[wakarimasen]

Hello Folks,
Does anyone know if it's possible to test an MD-E winder without actually attaching it to a camera? I bought one in a bundle of gear recently.

When I switch it on, the red LED does not light. Does this really mean that it's dead?

RoyM

 

[farlymac]

According to the manual (available online at http://www.butkus.org/chinon/ ), the light only comes on when the drive is activated by pushing the shutter release on the camera. And like it's other Nikon cousins, it has to be on the camera to operate.

PF

 

[wakarimasen]

Aha! I wondered if that night be he case. Now I need to find someone with the relevant camera and test it out.

Thanks for the link to the manual. I'm no stranger to that site and am surprised I missed it.

 

[nikon_sam]

I know you can trigger the MD-11 & 12 when its not mounted on a camera by shorting out the two right set of contacts (when viewing from the backside)
Do it once and the shutter rod will pop up, once more and it will return and the film advance coupler will spin to advance to the next frame...
You might want to try momentarily shorting out the two contacts and see what this does on the MD-E...

 

[Gary E]

Touch the two gold contact pins on the topside of the winder with something metallic. The motor will spin momentarily and the red light would go on for a split second. You should hear the motor whiring and rotate around a couple of revolutions. The wind gear (looks like a slotted screwdriver) gets stopped by the camera gear. It always worried me that the motor would break the EM/FG film gear, but I guess that's what Engineer's are exposed to prevent.

 

[wakarimasen]

Thanks guys - it works! Just wondering if I 'need' an EM now...🙄

 

[farlymac]

They're a little noisy, but if you get one that hasn't been abused, it's a good little camera. They are prone to re-winder failure.

PF

 

[wakarimasen]

Must....resist......buying......another.....camera...

 

[Roger Hicks]

Must....resist......buying......another.....camera...

Want one? I think I have one somewhere. Bought new, at that. But you'd be stuck with another motor for it. And, I think, a 50/1.8.

Cheers,

R.

 

[wakarimasen]

Hello Roger,

A kind offer. Do you really not want it?