Yashica Electro Shutter Catching [Video]

[callan_01]

Hey all,

Long time reader, first time poster.

I recently purchased an electro from a seller who knew nothing about the camera. Upon inspection the camera appeared to have a stuck shutter.

I pulled apart the lens and realised there were two issues.

1) The self timer was jammed and preventing the shutter from firing.
2) The shutter blades were stuck (probably due to being unused for a long period)

I removed the self timer and used lighter fluid on the blades. The shutter now moves when firing the camera.

Now the shutter blades open 3/4 of the way when winding the film on, then only begin to close when firing the camera. They take around 2 seconds to close.

I have searched many google results and forums and can't seem to find an answer.

Here is a video of my issue:
youtu.be/nDRB4FFAF8Q



So i've spent a few hours with the lens in pieces and it seems like the shutter mechanics were sticky.

I tested each of the springs in the shutter mechanism by probing with a tiny screwdriver and eventually something that was stuck finally released and closed the shutter properly.

Now the shutter works but regularly gets stuck open after about 30 triggers. It usually frees up after firing two more shots.

I'm happy that the camera is working but I don't want to lose 3 shots per roll.

Any ideas? I have read that sewing machine oil on the mechanism helps as well as graphite on the blades.

www.flickr.com/photos/147064456@N08/32401390456/in/datepo...

Every so often the top element of the shutter mechanism disengages but the bottom element/latch does not release.

This can be released with a small screwdriver, but it also releases if I push down gently on the shutter blades with a cotton bud.

Is something too tight or loose?

Thanks

 

[sevo]

Are you even aware that the shutter is not a self contained clockwork controlled leaf shutter, but driven and controlled from inside the camera? The Yashica Electro shutter with its "pad of death" issues may be the best researched camera shutter on the whole Internet. I'd suggest researching there first...

 

[callan_01]

Are you even aware that the shutter is not a self contained clockwork controlled leaf shutter, but driven and controlled from inside the camera? The Yashica Electro shutter with its "pad of death" issues may be the best researched camera shutter on the whole Internet. I'd suggest researching there first...

I forgot to mention that this camera has a new POD. You would be able to hear this from the video I posted.

The rods seems to be catching and releasing where they should, therefore I believe it is related to the moving parts displayed in the photo.

Happy to be proven wrong.

 

[callan_01]

I've deduced that my issue are related to sticky shutter blades.

When the blades have are still wet with lighter fluid the shutter works perfectly. If I continue to use the shutter for about 40 shots as the fluid dries the shutter begins to get sticky every few frames.

Now I need to source some graphite to lubricate the blades properly. Not an easy thing to source on a Sunday in Balham.

 

[Nickon51]

Shutter blades

Shutter blades

I think that you need to dismantle the shutter and clean the blades properly. Putting new lubricant over gummy oil doesn't help. Careful with the delicate solenoid and wiring.

 

[callan_01]

I think that you need to dismantle the shutter and clean the blades properly. Putting new lubricant over gummy oil doesn't help. Careful with the delicate solenoid and wiring.

Thanks for the reply.

Do you suggest removing the lens from the body to do this?

 

[Nickon51]

Its been a few yeas since I worked on one of these. You need to take the shutter on its mounting plate out. You work your way down past the aperture resistors, then to the shutter components. When you are at that point the shutter housing is released from the shutter body and there you are at the shutter blades. Its all detailed in the service manual. I can email a copy to you if you wish. Send me your email address an inbox capacity of 33Mb.