Black area on the photos

[ivenhoe]

This is my Pentax Spotmatic SL, I've shot about 10 rolls without any problems, but the half of the pictures on the last roll had this black area. I don't have the negatives at the moment. Is this the shutter speed problem? I suppose most of these pictures (not sure about all of them) were taken at the 1/1000 shutter speed.

 

[pentaxuser]

I suspect that your camera has a faulty shutter curtain. Unless you know a lot about this camera and how to repair curtains then it might be best if you take it to a camera repairman. Depending on the problem that has caused the effect you see on the pictures it might be cheaper to buy another camera than to have this one repaired but a repairman should be able to tell you.

You might try using all the shutter speeds a few times to see if the sticky shutter unsticks. Pentaxforums may be able to help

pentaxuser

 

[Kino]

Looks like shutter capping. This video addresses adjusting the shutter tension, but don't do this unless you are willing to accept the possibility of damaging your camera further.

 

[mnemosyne]

The shutter curtains per se are not faulty, they are merely out of sync/adjustment. Shouldn't be a problem to fix by a competent repair person. The Pentax M42 lenses are spectacular and the Spotmatics are really nice cameras, so IMHO it is worthwile to spend the money and have this done by a competent person.

 

[cmacd123]

Shutter capping for sure. I would _NOT_ play with the tension until the camera has aa "Clean Lube and adjust" performed. going rate for that service is often under 100 dollars US. to those who say, buy another camera for less, i ask what it the chance that it too will need a CLA before too long. Also most techs will replace the light seals and Mirror foam.

the adjust part will ensure the shutter speeds are in spec, and the meter is reading right.