FE2 jamming with MD12

[fotoobscura]

Morning,

I'm having an issue with my MD12 causing the shutter to open but never close on Auto mode on my FE2. I have to turn the dial to B to release the shutter. It happens sometimes every other frame or so-it appears intermittent.... it will happen in low light or in daylight at high shutter speeds, it doesn't seem to happen in any one specific circumstance (except the circumstance when I really want the photograph to come out!). I've shot about 3 rolls of film on the MD12 so far- brand new batteries (and yes I turn off the winder when not shooting).

Any experiences with this and suggestions to fix?

Thank you

 

[Alex Muir]

I've had a similar problem with my FE, but without the motordrive. It happens with the higher speeds, 1/500 and above, and on auto. The shutter stays open until the speed is changed to 1/250 or below. There was a recent thread about this which may give some help. I think it came down to part of the mechanism needing cleaned. Mine fixed itself with repeated firing of the shutter. It had been out of use for a while. If it only occurs with the motor fitted, it may be a different issue. I hope you get it fixed. The FE2 is a great camera.
Alex.

 

[fotoobscura]

Alex,

Thanks for the info. I don't have this problem w/o the MD12, just with it. I think I will try cleaning the contacts on both the MD12 and FE2 and see if that helps.

Thanks,

 

[BrianShaw]

I had the problem that Alex described and fixed it successfully. When mine jammed it wasn't intermittent... it was jammed until the bottom plate of the body was removed and the lever unjammed. But I found the set up of the MD-11/12 to be extremely fiddly. Getting the MD at the correct cycle point requires a very careful read of the manual (a quarter, and a whole lot of patience). Check to make sure that the MD is mounted correctly and tightly so the actuating rod isn't doing something like binding when it pushes into the body.

 

[John Koehrer]

A problem with the MD11 was the synchronizing with the body. On that one you shorted the contacts on the motor with a coin and fired the motor. Make sure the camera is then cocked when the motor is installed.
If that ain't it try Brian's fix.

 

[John Koehrer]

A problem with the MD11 was the synchronizing with the body. On that one you shorted the contacts on the motor with a coin and fired the motor. Make sure the camera is then cocked when the motor is installed.
If that ain't it try Brian's fix.

 

[fotoobscura]

I may be having some other problem than these suggested above. I removed the MD-12 and thoroughly cleaned the contacts and very carefully placed the MD-12 back on the camera (with the winder cocked). That is, after turning on the MD-12 I close the winder and that cycles the MD-12 to get it ready to shoot. As a test I put it on continuous shooting and every 3-5 frames or so the shutter gets stuck closed. It requires turning the camera to bulb mode to release it. This happens if the camera is set to AUTO or any other shutter speed (in any type of light).

New flash- Ok suddenly it's working now...I switched the shutter to B on continuous and the shutter repeatedly fired. After that I switched it back to auto or other shutter speeds and it would still continuously fire...wtf?

OK well I guess it's fixed for the time being. ???

 

[BrianShaw]

I don't know if this was mentioned earlier or not, but is the battery in the camera good? I don't think MD-11/12 powers the camera like later models do.

 

[fotoobscura]

Thanks for the suggestion Brian. I'm @2.86v which is good on the camera battery. FWIW It *seems* to have cleared up as a result of me cycling the shutter- specifically placing the camera in B mode and the MD-12 in (C)ontinuous mode and cycling a dozen or so frames. After I did that I could switch it back to Auto or any other shutter speed and it will still shoot continuously without jamming...Doesn't point to much of a logical conclusion but with this old stuff sometimes that's what you get...

 

[BrianShaw]

When these kind situations happen to me I suspect old age, and the need for a comprehensive overhaul. That seems to cure a lot of weird and inconsistent symptoms that seem to have no logical rationale. I value reliability so don't flinch too much at paying for a professional servicing of a camera I intent to use on a regular basis. Glad to hear that it is working for you now and hope it stays working.

 

[fotoobscura]

Thanks. In worst case I can shoot w/o the winder. I'm just being lazy anyway