My first day here, so just want to start with a warm hi to everyone
I have been reading post on photrio from time to time, but after whole day of trying to resolve my issue on my own without success, I decided to register an account and ask for more help.
So, here is the story. This summer I was lucky to own a Bronica SQ-Ai. I had no problems with it except that it would shoot only 11 frames on a 120 roll. Then, I didn't use it for about a month, until I recently purchased a new back (to try to fix the 11 frame issue) and wanted to film-test it. I followed the instructions in the manual, loaded the film and attached the back, but it just did not work as usual. I could advance the film from "S" to "1", but the film winding crank was never locked, neither could I trigger the shutter. Here are more details:
1. The film seemed to be ready for exposure, as I felt a click when the exposure counter arrived at "1", and I did open the back and check the film on spools.
2. After the exposure counter arrived at "1", the crank on the body was still free to rotate, and there was a click each 360-degree rotation. It just never stopped, but the film would not be advanced.
3. I could press the shutter button, but there was no action at all, and the shutter release LED in the VF would light up. I double checked the shutter release button was not locked, and the dark slide is completely out. It seemed the problem was the shutter was not cocked.
4. This happens no matter whether the multi-exposure switch is on or not after the film has already been advanced to "1". Meanwhile, I have checked that there is a movement of the ratchet on the right side of the body when I change the multi-exposure switch.
So, I have tried to troubleshoot this issue. Here is what I have done:
1. I have installed a set of new batteries to make sure it's not the problem of the battery, although even old ones can pass the battery check.
2. I have detached the back and checked it alone. The pin for the dark slide pops out when it is inserted and falls down when it is pulled out. The other pin for film advancing stays upright after advancing. I can manually push it down, and then rotating the manual film winder on the back can advance the film. Once the advance is done, the pin will pop out again. I also make marks on the film, so I am pretty sure the spacing between each frame is ok for each advancing.
3. I have tested the body with only lens attached as well. When I am in single exposure mode, the winding crank will not lock, and the shutter will be neither cocked nor triggered (actually, it's very like the symptom of my issue but with the back attached). When I am in multi-exposure mode, the situation is a bit complex. When I just detached the back, I will not be able to cock the shutter. I have to use a screw to press the pin on the lower right of the body for a while, and then I am able to cock the shutter and fire it as usual. After that, I will be able to cock the shutter with each 360-degree rotation of the winding crank, and everything becomes normal.
Besides, I would like to mention an unusual thing (see image attached): the pin on the lower right of the body (the one I just mentioned) seems to be stuck in the body. When I press it, I would say there is little to none movement actually. However, if I press it for a while, I can still hear a faint clicking sound.
4. I have tested the body without both back and lens. Similar situation as 3.
5. I have switched lenses, and the same thing across all lenses.
6. I have switched to my original back, but the same problem persists. However, I am not sure whether this issue existed before I tested the new back, because I directly tested on my new back and switched to my original back only after I spotted the issue. There was no such issue during my last use.
So far, I think the problem is caused by the jammed pin on the lower right of the body (not sure, but very suspicious; correct me if it is not). However, I also don't have any way to reset/recover that pin as well. Any information or assistance regarding the issue is sincerely appreciated.
I have been reading post on photrio from time to time, but after whole day of trying to resolve my issue on my own without success, I decided to register an account and ask for more help.So, here is the story. This summer I was lucky to own a Bronica SQ-Ai. I had no problems with it except that it would shoot only 11 frames on a 120 roll. Then, I didn't use it for about a month, until I recently purchased a new back (to try to fix the 11 frame issue) and wanted to film-test it. I followed the instructions in the manual, loaded the film and attached the back, but it just did not work as usual. I could advance the film from "S" to "1", but the film winding crank was never locked, neither could I trigger the shutter. Here are more details:
1. The film seemed to be ready for exposure, as I felt a click when the exposure counter arrived at "1", and I did open the back and check the film on spools.
2. After the exposure counter arrived at "1", the crank on the body was still free to rotate, and there was a click each 360-degree rotation. It just never stopped, but the film would not be advanced.
3. I could press the shutter button, but there was no action at all, and the shutter release LED in the VF would light up. I double checked the shutter release button was not locked, and the dark slide is completely out. It seemed the problem was the shutter was not cocked.
4. This happens no matter whether the multi-exposure switch is on or not after the film has already been advanced to "1". Meanwhile, I have checked that there is a movement of the ratchet on the right side of the body when I change the multi-exposure switch.
So, I have tried to troubleshoot this issue. Here is what I have done:
1. I have installed a set of new batteries to make sure it's not the problem of the battery, although even old ones can pass the battery check.
2. I have detached the back and checked it alone. The pin for the dark slide pops out when it is inserted and falls down when it is pulled out. The other pin for film advancing stays upright after advancing. I can manually push it down, and then rotating the manual film winder on the back can advance the film. Once the advance is done, the pin will pop out again. I also make marks on the film, so I am pretty sure the spacing between each frame is ok for each advancing.
3. I have tested the body with only lens attached as well. When I am in single exposure mode, the winding crank will not lock, and the shutter will be neither cocked nor triggered (actually, it's very like the symptom of my issue but with the back attached). When I am in multi-exposure mode, the situation is a bit complex. When I just detached the back, I will not be able to cock the shutter. I have to use a screw to press the pin on the lower right of the body for a while, and then I am able to cock the shutter and fire it as usual. After that, I will be able to cock the shutter with each 360-degree rotation of the winding crank, and everything becomes normal.
Besides, I would like to mention an unusual thing (see image attached): the pin on the lower right of the body (the one I just mentioned) seems to be stuck in the body. When I press it, I would say there is little to none movement actually. However, if I press it for a while, I can still hear a faint clicking sound.
4. I have tested the body without both back and lens. Similar situation as 3.
5. I have switched lenses, and the same thing across all lenses.
6. I have switched to my original back, but the same problem persists. However, I am not sure whether this issue existed before I tested the new back, because I directly tested on my new back and switched to my original back only after I spotted the issue. There was no such issue during my last use.
So far, I think the problem is caused by the jammed pin on the lower right of the body (not sure, but very suspicious; correct me if it is not). However, I also don't have any way to reset/recover that pin as well. Any information or assistance regarding the issue is sincerely appreciated.
