Yashica Half 17 - stuck shutter blades

[bigdood]

New here, and new to vintage cameras. Just picked up a Yashica Half 17 at a local store after hearing about half-frame cameras on a different forum. Seems to be in good shape except for two things. The meter appears to only work in Auto mode, when I turn to auto and point at different light sources it shows over/underexposed, and I can work with that via the film speed selector (though it would be nice to know why it would only work in auto, but I guess with old cameras like this I'll take what I can get). However, the biggie is when I wind the film and press the shutter release button it clicks but the shutter never opens. I can see the blades twitch a little, as if they want to open, but no dice. Anybody have one of these, or have suggestions as to what should be cleaned/attempted to get 'er working? Pretty little camera, would hate to make a paperweight out of it. Thanks.

 

[bigdood]

Hmmm...me thinks this isn't a popular camera

 

[munky]

hmm i have one. same problem

and it only works in auto mode because it only has this mode. you can select B which would set the aperture to 1.7 i guess or you can set the aperture from 1.7 to 16 and the shutter speed would stay at 1/30th of a second. these settings are for flash use, you set the aperture depending on the distance of the object


Edit: ok i managed to fix the problem. it was just sticky shutter blades. disassemble the front element until you can get to the shutter blades. set speed to B, press shutter and keep pressed, open the shutter with something (you have to push it to the side). do this a few times, if it stays open, turn aperture to 16. i put some lighter fluid on the sticky area and opened and closed it a few times. works near perfect now.

problem still is, i have a half 17 ee rapid.. 😀