Yashica Minister D - shutter problem?

[vexborg]

Hi,

Today I've gotten hold of an used Yashica Minister D (serial MD 4010306), the meter looks like it's working, the film advance leaver works, lens looks clean, but I can't see if the shutter works or not?

When I open the back of the camera and adjust the F-stops, I can see that something changes size (I have no idea what the technical term is?) in the lens, but when I use the advance leaver (still with the back open) and press the trigger (sorry once again if the term is wrong), nothing happens...

Any ideas on what is happening?

Kind regards,

Kim Vexborg

 

[Solinar]

Kim, are you aware that you must manually arm the shutter on this puppy before each exposure?

http://www.butkus.org/chinon/yashica_d/yashica_d.htm

 

[jon_flanders]

Your leaf shutter is probably stuck due to old lube. You will need to remove either the front or rear lens element and swab the shutter with lighter fluid. I generally use a q tip. After you swab and dry off the blades with fluid, fire the shutter. It sometimes takes a few days of this swabbing, tripping the shutter and letting it dry off, until the shutter works completely dry.

 

[Solinar]

Whoops, it is a Minister D not the Yashica D. So, please disregard my previous post.

 

[vexborg]

Your leaf shutter is probably stuck due to old lube. You will need to remove either the front or rear lens element and swab the shutter with lighter fluid. I generally use a q tip. After you swab and dry off the blades with fluid, fire the shutter. It sometimes takes a few days of this swabbing, tripping the shutter and letting it dry off, until the shutter works completely dry.

How do I remove either the front or rear element?

 

[RichardS]

Before you start tearing the camera apart, try a few simple things first. Make certain you have removed the lens cap, if you have one. Then set the lens to f2.8, which opens the aperture wide, and set the shutter speed to bulb. You'll probably have to move the EV setting to 2 to do that.

Then cock the shutter by moving the film advance lever, point the camera towards the light and press and hold down the shutter release and look through the back. If you see light, then the shutter leaves are open as they should be. If you don't see light, then you almost certainly have a shutter problem.

Dick

 

[vexborg]

Ok, I tried what the above poster suggested, and I didn't see any light - so I guess that the shutter is borked?

 

[RichardS]

I would guess so but it might be worth it to run a roll of film through it just to make certain.

Dick

 

[vexborg]

So, are you saying that the camera might not fire the shutter due to no film being in the camera?

 

[RichardS]

No, I'm not saying that. For your description I'd say there is a shutter problem. I'm just saying make certain there is a problem by running a roll of film through it. Then you'll know for certain.

Again from your description it has to be a problem with either the shutter or the lens iris since nothing else is involved in the Minister D and you say you can see the iris open and close as you change the aperture so it seems to me it must be the shutter. Shoot a cheap roll of film, develop it, and see what you get, which will probably be nothing. But at least you'll know for certain and can then decide on your next step, try and repair it yourself, have it repaired, or buy a different one.

Dick

 

[vexborg]

Hi Dick,

I've tried what you suggested, and nothing at all came out when the film was developed... Actually I noticed that when you press the trigger not a thing happens, it just goes down without meeting any resistance. :bang:

Kim

 

[RichardS]

That's too bad. I never tried to repair a Minister D so I have no idea how much a problem it would be. Good luck with whatever you decide.

Dick

 

[Arr Eff]

The Minister D is fairly easy to work on. Remove the front lens group by simply applying pressure to the filter ring, for example with a rubber sheet, and turning anticlockwise. Don't use tools as the metal is very soft. You should see the shutter blades exposed. Try cocking and firing the shutter again (although it looks to me as though the blades are gummed up, often a problem on these cameras...). get some solvent such as lighter fluid or laquer thinner - these products give off fumes so work in a well ventilated area - and apply some to the blades. Let it soak in. Try cocking and releasing the shutter again. It may start to free up. If it just don't budge, try pushing the blades inward slightly with a blunt tool such as a pencil to separate them, and apply more solvent. This method has worked for me! I don't recommend taking the leaf shutter apart - this is a job for the experts. These cameras are over 40 years old and most are now pretty tired.
PL