Minolta Uniomat B setting

[Via66]

Hi all,
I recently purchased two Uniomat cameras.
One has a stuck shutter, the other seems to be working.
The EV adjusting ring on both can be rotated from 6 to 18 with relative ease. However, I cannot select Bulb mode on either camera.
Any help would be appreciated.

 

[film4Me]

There is quite a resistance turning the ring when selecting "B". Turn the ring as hard as you can.

 

[Via66]

There is quite a resistance turning the ring when selecting "B". Turn the ring as hard as you can.

Seriously?!

 

[film4Me]

Yes, seriously. You asked for help, and I'm doing just that.

Have you tried them yet? Both my Uniomat and Anscoset are hard to select "B". The Uniomat is the easiest, but still has resistance.

 

[xkaes]

I'm not familiar with those cameras, but I know it's true for many other cameras. I guess the manufacturers wanted to make sure that the users made deliberate efforts to make certain settings. For example, on some cameras, you have to exert more pressure than you might expect to move the ring from A (Auto) to the manual f-stop settings. Same with trying to use the B setting on some cameras.

 

[Via66]

Yes, seriously. You asked for help, and I'm doing just that.

Have you tried them yet? Both my Uniomat and Anscoset are hard to select "B". The Uniomat is the easiest, but still has resistance.

Success! You were right. I was hesitant to apply force, but it worked.
Both are Uniomat ii versions.
Serial numbers are 227608 and 280368.
227608 has the jammed shutter. The adjustment from EV6 to B requires more torque and doesn't feel crisp at all.
280368 feels way better. It feels like the ring crisply clears a detent at 6 and then moves smoothly to B.
Thanks a ton for your help.
I'm expecting a Uniomat iii any day now.
I'll keep you posted.