Bronica ETRS shutter won't release

deweyoumind · Aug 10, 2023

Howdy,

I bought this Bronica ETRS about 6 months ago and I have put about 5 rolls through it with no issues. I had it sitting on the shelf with the rest of my cameras for about a month and when I picked it up to use it again, the shutter wouldn't release. The lens is not stuck on the body, I can take it on and off no problem. That leads me to believe that shutter is full cocked. I have cleaned the contacts on the lens and tried a different lens to no avail. I also tried to release the shutter with a cable release and it didn't work. This old post has a similar issue and I tried everything that was said on there. I took the right side cover off of the camera and I will post a video showing what I can. I want to try releasing the shutter with a paperclip but i'm not really sure how to.

Thank you for the help

Here is a video I took just so you can get an idea of what is going on.

Shutter won't release

MattKing · Aug 10, 2023

deweyoumind said:
Howdy,

I bought this Bronica ETRS about 6 months ago and I have put about 5 rolls through it with no issues. I had it sitting on the shelf with the rest of my cameras for about a month and when I picked it up to use it again, the shutter wouldn't release. The lens is not stuck on the body, I can take it on and off no problem. That leads me to believe that shutter is full cocked. I have cleaned the contacts on the lens and tried a different lens to no avail. I also tried to release the shutter with a cable release and it didn't work. This old post has a similar issue and I tried everything that was said on there. I took the right side cover off of the camera and I will post a video showing what I can. I want to try releasing the shutter with a paperclip but i'm not really sure how to.

Thank you for the help

Here is a video I took just so you can get an idea of what is going on.

Shutter won't release

Welcome to Photrio.

reddesert · Aug 10, 2023

As you look at the back of the camera body, at the bottom left there is a pin that communicates with the back about whether the darkslide is inserted or not. If you look at the back you can see its corresponding pin move in/out when you withdraw or insert the darkslide. Try jiggling/poking the pin in the camera to make sure it is not stuck. If the camera "thinks" the darkslide is in, it won't let you fire the shutter.

wiltw · Aug 10, 2023

Make sure none of these applies...

No back + no lens, no shutter release
Back not loaded with film, no shutter release
Back not advanced to new frame of film, no shutter release (unless the multi-exposure lever is active)
Dark slide in magazine, no shutter release
Shutter lock up (red position), no shutter release

abruzzi · Aug 10, 2023

in your video the back is not on the camera. In that situation, the only way to release the shutter is to put the camera in multi exposure mode, crank the advance lever until it stops, then fire.

4season · Aug 10, 2023

abruzzi said:
in your video the back is not on the camera. In that situation, the only way to release the shutter is to put the camera in multi exposure mode, crank the advance lever until it stops, then fire.

ETRSI has a multi-exposure lever, but do the older models have anything of the sort?

AnselMortensen · Aug 10, 2023

4season said:
ETRSI has a multi-exposure lever, but do the older models have anything of the sort?

Yes.

deweyoumind · Aug 10, 2023

abruzzi said:
in your video the back is not on the camera. In that situation, the only way to release the shutter is to put the camera in multi exposure mode, crank the advance lever until it stops, then fire.

Thank you. Ok so I got the shutter to release in multi-exposure mode but when when I put it into normal shooting mode with the back on, it will not release. I can crank the advance and it will cock itself and go around but it won't release the shutter.

mshchem · Aug 10, 2023

deweyoumind said:
Thank you. Ok so I got the shutter to release in multi-exposure mode but when when I put it into normal shooting mode with the back on, it will not release. I can crank the advance and it will cock itself and go around but it won't release the shutter.

Do you have film loaded in the back? I used the ETRSi for years but can't remember.

abruzzi · Aug 10, 2023

deweyoumind said:
Thank you. Ok so I got the shutter to release in multi-exposure mode but when when I put it into normal shooting mode with the back on, it will not release. I can crank the advance and it will cock itself and go around but it won't release the shutter.

you need film loaded. If you are testing and don't want to waste a roll, you can use just a roll of backing paper from a previous roll of film and load it up. The Bronica has a lot of interlocks that require you load everything up.

deweyoumind · Aug 10, 2023

abruzzi said:
you need film loaded. If you are testing and don't want to waste a roll, you can use just a roll of backing paper from a previous roll of film and load it up. The Bronica has a lot of interlocks that require you load everything up.

Ya i dont think I have any backing paper around anymore. I guess ill just try to shoot a roll tomorrow, it's weird though because it used to work fine without film in it.

reddesert · Aug 11, 2023

Without film, the wind lever should just go round and round and not stop, until you put it in multi-exposure mode. Perhaps that's what you did a month ago, and didn't remember.

abruzzi · Aug 11, 2023

deweyoumind said:
Ya i dont think I have any backing paper around anymore. I guess ill just try to shoot a roll tomorrow, it's weird though because it used to work fine without film in it.

I’ve got a lot. If you like, pm me your address and I’ll send you a couple rolls of paper.

wiltw · Aug 11, 2023

In Post 4...

wiltw said:
Make sure none of these applies...

No back + no lens, no shutter release

Back not loaded with film, no shutter release

Back not advanced to new frame of film, no shutter release (unless the multi-exposure lever is active)

Dark slide in magazine, no shutter release

Shutter lock up (red position), no shutter release

For emphasis

deweyoumind · Aug 11, 2023

wiltw said:
In Post 4...

For emphasis

Sorry I honestly didn't understand you

Bronica ETRS shutter won't release

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