Yashica T5 occasionally won't release shutter

[Karlovak]

I received a used Yashica T5 in the mailbox recently and shot through a couple of rolls today. Camera lights up green light which means focus is acquired, the lens extends and then retracts meaning it focuses but in about half the time the shutter isn't released and thus film not exposed.
Battery is fresh, the shutter release button is firmly pressed on.

What could this be? Maybe an easy fix? Electronic or mechanical problem?
Does anybody have experiences with similar issues?

With regards

 

[charjohncarter]

All I can think is to 'finish' the roll. And then exercise the shutter to see if that improves things. Also, are you sure it was loaded properly?

 

[Karlovak]

The film is loaded correctly, it releases the shutter and advances the film in about half or 2/3rd of the times I press the button. I've finished two rolls, now I'm thinking whether to send it back or try to perform a repair, it was sold as "perfect working condition". I would prefer not to leave negative feedback and deal with the returning process. But it's frustrating since you lose a lot of moments when the camera decides not to release the shutter.

 

[johannielscom]

There are no self-servicable parts in the Yashicas or the Contaxes (both Kyocera built). The AF works on hexadecimal conversion in a chip from the IR sensor to the focus engine.

Read that about a fortnight ago on the Facebook Vintage Camera Collector group from a fellow who was in the know. But I can't find the exact quote anymore.

If it's just the button, you might get lucky and fix it by cleaning the contacts but you would have to open the camera up and I'm not sure that's actually a DIY kinda job either...

 

[Karlovak]

Oh that's bad news, I suppose that would mean a need for parts.

I'm starting to think it can't be the button, since the problem only appears on the first 1-3 times I press the shutter, after that I can shoot freely until I turn the camera off again. Also when the problem doesn't appear initially after turning the camera on it will not appear until I turn the camera off and then on again.

There are complaints online about this issue, but sadly no solutions.

 

[Fjäll]

Mine only does this when it's struggling to meter the scene. Typically in very low light.

 

[Karlovak]

^Strange, because T5 should even release in pitch black and shoot at its slowest speed of 1/60. It focuses with an IR beam, also in pitch black.

I wonder if there might a spec or something on the circuit board, maybe a burnt or corroded contact.
Or the lens motor is wearing down, which would probably be the worst scenario.
The odd part is that it only happens after turning on, I can finish a whole roll trouble free after overcoming the initial hurdle.

I found this image of the bare top circuit what's under the button.
But I'm a bit hesitant to opening it up, I wonder if touching the wiring could still give a connection.
The shutter release should be the middle ring and the blocks on top and bottom should be the AF/AE lock.

 

[Karlovak]

So got back the negs and the AF was bust as well.

I showed it to a technician who said weatherproof P&S-s are prone to AF issues because of the rubber around their lenses, the rubber wears down over time and this kills the motor. You could see the lens trying to extend all the way for close-ups but just slows down in the end, focuses to infinity.

Opened a return case and sent it back today.


It's quite frustrating, I wonder if there are point & shoots which are repairable or are known to last.