Yashica Minister 700, shutter stuck.

[gholen]

So, from tradera, I did acquire a nice camera, this WONDERFUL Yashica Minister 700.
But! There is a problem, and one might say it's hard, if not impossible to fix, if I don't know how.
Anyway. The shutter is stuck 🙁
And now I wonder. Can I use lighter fluid, as stated both here and on the rest of internet, or shall I use it as a 7$ dollars paperweight?

Please, give me some advice. I REALLY like the camera, and I really enjoy it! Now, I just want it to work.

Regards
Ambjörn

 

[Ranchu]

I can only answer for me. I have a minister III in a similar state of stuck, that seems like a really nice camera to me if it worked. Eventually I gave up on these fixed lens cameras, I really like the finder of the interchangeable ones with a 50 on them, you see so much outside the frame.

Apparently you need to lift the leatherette to get the top cover off, bottom of page. This guy gve up.

http://onlinephototutorials.com/2008/12/04/basic-camera-disassembly/

Maybe similar, looks hairy, the best thing to do might be to have it fixed by a pro. Or weigh down papers with it.

http://www.kyphoto.com/classics/yashicaminister.html

 

[btgc]

Looking here http://www.flickr.com/photos/gustavo_torossi/3053021458/
I believe you can open lens from front without dealing with leatherette.

It should clean up nicely. Minister 700 is rare beast, well, it shouldn't be much different from Lynx 5000, though, latter is obtainable much more easily.

 

[xwhatsit]

I have the Minister D, which is the same as your camera except it has a slower f2.8 lens.

If you got it for $7, you're a bast*rd!

Should be no need to take anything off except the first piece of glass in the lens. I used a rubber mousepad to grip the narrow metal ring at the front of the lens, unscrew it. Then drip some lighter fluid onto the shutter blades and swab it off again with some q-tips. I had to be very thorough with this, kept at it for a week or more.

If you want to give up, don't use it as a paperweight, sell it to me!

 

[gholen]

Okay, got the front lens element off, and it sure seems like it is the old lube.
So, now, let get some coffee, q-tips and lighter fluid.

I bought it from the Swedish auction site Tradera.com (a eBay owned company) for 81 kr witch translates to about seven dollars, and that is including shipping 😀
So yes, I am a bast*rd ^^

 

[gholen]

UPDATE: Round one with Q-tips and lighterfluid done. The result is satisfying! Shutterblades moves at all speeds, but will not open. Will let it dry up now, and then give it some more loving later this evening 🙂
As from what I CAN see however, the camera seems to be working just fine, the shape is GREAT, and its near mint condition. I will, as soon as I'm done, load it with TriX 400 or TMAX 100 🙂

Edit, adding a picture from the work 🙂