Help | Pentax LX shutter is winded but won't release.

reysphotofilm · Aug 17, 2024

Hi everyone.
A Pentax LX came in to my hands not long ago, overall looking good, lightmeter works. The only problem it is winded but the shutter won't release (lock is unlocked).
Shutter winding indicator is red which means it is winded.
Tried with cable shutter release - didn't work too.
**EDIT** : mirror is down, no sign for sticky mirror syndrome.

What can be the problem?

attaching 2 photos, and 2 videos in links.
vid 1 -

vid 2 -

Philippe-Georges · Aug 17, 2024

Have you checked if the mirror came down after the shot?
The Pentax LX is notorious for suffering from the Sticky Mirror Syndrome.
This is due to the foam damping material which degrades over (long-) time and sticks the mirror up against the Ground Glass frame.
This is a costly repair IF the parts, the tools and the knowledge needed are still available...
Don't forse the camera to work as more damage may be done!!!!!!!

Once repaired, the LX is one of the best 35mm camera's, I had three of them.

reysphotofilm · Aug 17, 2024

Philippe-Georges said:
Have you checked if the mirror came down after the shot?
The Pentax LX is notorious for suffering from the Sticky Mirror Syndrome.
This is due to the foam damping material which degrades over (long-) time and sticks the mirror up against the Ground Glass frame.
This is a costly repair IF the parts, the tools and the knowledge needed are still available...
Don't forse the camera to work as more damage may be done!!!!!!!

Once repaired, the LX is one of the best 35mm camera's, I had three of them.

The mirror is down, I'll edit now in the first message.
only problem i observe is that the shutter is not releasing...

I really hope to get it working.

Philippe-Georges · Aug 17, 2024

OK then , but there are foam coated rests on which the mirror rests when down...
Carefully check if the mirror can move upwards by carefully moving it manually.

BTW, is the rewinding mechanism button disengaged?
This mechanism lets the counter turning (counting) backwards so you can return to the initial frame after taking out the partially exposed and rewinded film to put in an other film, or double exposures.

reysphotofilm · Aug 17, 2024

Philippe-Georges said:
OK then , but there are foam coated rests on which the mirror rests when down...
Carefully check if the mirror can move upwards by carefully moving it manually.

BTW, is the rewinding mechanism button disengaged?
This mechanism lets the counter turning (counting) backwards so you can return to the initial frame after taking out the partially exposed and rewinded film to put in an other film, or double exposures.

Mirror moves freely.
where is that button?

MFstooges · Aug 17, 2024

reysphotofilm said:
Mirror moves freely.
where is that button?

reysphotofilm · Aug 17, 2024

MFstooges said:
View attachment 376437

oh sorry i didnt read carefully the "rewinding mechanism button", thought about a designated lever or button for double exposures such as i have on my mamiya.

i'm adding one more video, shows this button does nothing, and i managed to start the timer but still - no shutter release...

vid 3 -

Philippe-Georges · Aug 17, 2024

Battery: not all speeds work on the battery, some are mechanical too...
And now I am out of suggestions...

reysphotofilm · Aug 17, 2024

Philippe-Georges said:
Battery: not all speeds work on the battery, some are mechanical too...
And now I am out of suggestions...

thats why i put it on x (1/100), should work without battery. but there is bettery inside, which i think works because the lightmeter works accurately.

vandergus · Aug 19, 2024

The rubber bumpers that degrade are inside the camera, on the side of the mirror box. Sometimes it just slows the mirror down and it lags the shutter press. If it gets really bad, it will seize the mirror, which is my guess as to why yours won't fire.

The rubber pads on the mirror rest can get sticky but they usually won't have enough adhesion to completely hold the mirror.

Philippe-Georges said:
Battery: not all speeds work on the battery, some are mechanical too...
And now I am out of suggestions...

The mirror will still release, even on auto or electronic speeds. But the shutter won't open and the mirror will not return. This was a warning system that Pentax built into the camera to prevent the user from shooting with dead batteries and not realizing it.

vandergus · Aug 20, 2024

As a reference, this is what sticky shutter looks like.

(http://imgur.com/a/cSpSL8B)
Notice how the first time I press the shutter the mirror is very slow. It lifts away from the mirror rest immediately (so that's not the sticky part) but is very slow to fire. Actuating the mechanism temporarily softens the grime, which is why the delay is shorter for the second and third firing. This camera is very close to not firing at all on the first go. You can imaging how just a little more resistance would completely stop it.

Help | Pentax LX shutter is winded but won't release.

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency