Canon Pellix - Dark area on right 1/5 of frame

[Elfman12]

Hi, I recently got this Canon Pellix 35mm camera from a Vietnam vet who had purchased it while in service overseas in the late 60's. Very well taken care of, great shape, only needed to replace the crumbling light seals. Shutter sounds and looks fine at all speeds.
The issue is that randomly, maybe 1 out of 4 photos will not expose on the right had side of the frame (as viewed on the developed print). Sometimes this will repeat 2-3 times, then clear up. But on average, probably a 1/4 of the shots are ruined. And it seems to have gotten worse over the 3-4 rolls I've run though it. (I've attached a good and bad shot for an example.)
What could this be? I've tried watching the shutter close over and over, can't really see anything obvious. Any ideas on where I should start looking? I love the feel and quality of this camera (viewfinder is dim and a challenge to focus), but would like to use it if I can get it to stop burning frames.
Thanks for any help.

 

[Kino]

Pretty sure it is shutter drag from petrified and/or dirty lubricant. I have bought many vintage cameras that appear to work flawlessly and then suddenly start giving erratic shutter speeds without warning.

The Pelix has a beam splitter mirror that does not move during exposure, so there's really nothing to move in front of the shutter when fired.

 

[Don_ih]

Your shutter needs service, just as @Kino said.

 

[Elfman12]

Pretty sure it is shutter drag from petrified and/or dirty lubricant. I have bought many vintage cameras that appear to work flawlessly and then suddenly start giving erratic shutter speeds without warning.

The Pelix has a beam splitter mirror that does not move during exposure, so there's really nothing to move in front of the shutter when fired.

Thanks for the info, y'all. Is it worth trying to do myself? I'm fairly handy that way, rebuild stereo receivers and tape decks, and have taken apart a few large format lenses and shutters for cleaning - just haven't worked with a focal plane shutter before. If it just needs graphite to lube it or something, that might be doable.

EDIT: Never mind, I watched a YouTube video on breaking this camera down and I don't think I'll jump into that, haha! Any idea what a normal service like that might run nowadays for this camera? General idea?

 

[Kino]

No, I don't. You'll have to get in contact with repair shops to find that out. Sorry!

 

[randyB]

To me it looks like shutter capping, 1st curtain traveling too slow and the second curtain catching up to it causing under/no exposure in the last 1/3rd of the negative. As others have said, the camera needs an overhaul, typical charges are $75-150, maybe even higher, the Pellix is a special camera. You can check with Schiller's in St. Louis about a repair facility, or KEH. I agree with your edit. If you don't have considerable camera repair experience then you will only screw it up. NEVER, NEVER use graphite in a camera or any precision instrument.

 

[Elfman12]

To me it looks like shutter capping, 1st curtain traveling too slow and the second curtain catching up to it causing under/no exposure in the last 1/3rd of the negative. As others have said, the camera needs an overhaul, typical charges are $75-150, maybe even higher, the Pellix is a special camera. You can check with Schiller's in St. Louis about a repair facility, or KEH. I agree with your edit. If you don't have considerable camera repair experience then you will only screw it up. NEVER, NEVER use graphite in a camera or any precision instrument.

Gotcha. Sounds good, I'm only about 2hrs away from Schiller's, so that works well. Thanks for the info!