Any Pentax repair folks out there?

[Mike Kennedy]

I had previously mentioned a friends Pentax MX with a meter problem. We put new batteries in it yesterday and the meter powered up nicely BUT it reads over exposure at all times. Doesn't matter what the shutter speed or aperture dials are set at.
I downloaded the service manual which was absolute Greek to me. Does anyone know of an easy fix?
Isn't there an APUG member that does Pentax repairs? Seems to me that I read of such a person.

Much Thanks,
Mike

 

[Jerevan]

There is one here: www.pentaxs.com. It's in the US, though... I am waiting for my Spotmatic to return from there. I heard several people recommend him for his good work, that's why I sent mine off.

 

[Mike Kennedy]

Thanks Jerevan. I just sent them an email.
By the way,did they give you an estimate on your Spotmatic repair?

 

[Jerevan]

My estimate including return shipping to Sweden was $90, I think that would be something like $60 for the parts and the job and $30 for the shipping. Could be I could find someone doing it locally, but I've had an incident with a local repair shop who botched a minor job. They charged me $90 just to look at it.

 

[Dan Williams]

You might take a look here - The Classic Camera Repair Forum.

http://www.kyphoto.com/cgi-bin/forum/discus.cgi

Dan

 

[Mike Kennedy]

Hi Dan,
I am a member of CCRF. Posted my query and have had no responses.

Mike

 

[Uncle Bill]

Mike,
My repair guy here in Toronto is former Leica and Pentax trained. Commercial Camera also does a lot of business out of town. Gord is the owner, tell him I refered you and his site is http://www.commercialcamerarepair.com/. The big plus is the camera stays in Canada.

Bill

 

[mgb74]

There is one here: www.pentaxs.com. It's in the US, though... I am waiting for my Spotmatic to return from there. I heard several people recommend him for his good work, that's why I sent mine off.

I've never used him, but this person is highly recommended on the Pentax list site.

 

[Mike Kennedy]

Wonderful contact Uncle Bill. Keeping the MX in Canada feels right to me. I'll drop Gord an email A.S.A.P.
Should I tell him that Uncle Bill sent me or do you have another moniker that might be a bit more familiar?

Mike

 

[Michel Hardy-Vallée]

Hey Mike, another option is my usual repair joint in Montreal, AFC Camera. They did an excellent job on my Spottie for somewhere a bit below 100$

1015, cote du Beaver Hall, Montréal, QC H2Z 1S1 514-397-9505

 

[Dorothy Blum Cooper]

Just thought I'd pass this on to at least try before you resorted to sending your camera off to be repaired.

I was having meter problems with my Pentax (6x7) sometime ago. Took it to a place in St. Louis who worked on it in front of me. I explained that the meter worked intermittently when it did work. Although, sometimes the exposure was off. They said everything checked out fine.

After much research on the net and talking to others, I tried something that I read regarding the battery. Someone suggested that rather than using a Lithium Battery in my camera, to use Alkalide or Silver Oxide instead. For some reason, it was a pain in the butt for me to find a battery where I lived that wasn't Lithium, but I did. Believe it or not...I ceased having my meter/exposure/intermittent issues all together.

Whether or not that is what you're dealing with, I don't know. Thought it wouldn't hurt to pass this on.

Regardless, I hope things work out in resolving your problems with your Pentax.

 

[Mike Kennedy]

Thanks for the suggestion Dorothy. I gave it a try but the meter is still wacky. Muct be an internal problem. A resistor perhaps?

Mike

 

[Dorothy Blum Cooper]

Hi Mike,
Sorry...didn't see your post sooner. I can pass along one more tip that the guys in St. Louis (CSI Camera Repair) tried on my Pentax 6x7 that did make a difference when the battery still seemed to not 'jump start' my meter.

The guy I was dealing with took the metered prism off of the camera body. He then took an eraser tip from a pencil, 'erased' the contacts on the camera body (where the metered prism and camera body connect). He said that sometimes the contact is compromised and an eraser is a good tool to clean off the metal contacts.

Just seeing if something will help...I know I hate sending my cameras off for repair

 

[Jerevan]

A slight update on my Spotmatic repair - the final price came to $100.

During earlier repairs, somebody has taken the light seal out which blocked the light from getting onto the film, from the mirror mechanics. Some new seals, a mirror bumper and a standard CLA (speeds were way off and no exposure on one side (?) at higher speeds) was needed. The meter is getting new cells.

I believe the earlier botched job is largely the culprit. I can't wait to get it back! And that Green Pebbled Calfskin leather at Cameraleather is looking tempting indeed.

But the strange thing is that, despite this, the films I've run through it has looked fine...

 

[zenrhino]

Thanks for this thread. I just got my Spotmatic II (for next to nothing!) and $60 for a CLA sounds like a great idea!

 

[Jerevan]

My Spotmatic arrived a few weeks ago from Eric. It works great and the replaced cells in the meter makes it really feel like another camera. Great job done and very professional service overall for a good price.