Help with an ETRC problem?

cmcphee · May 14, 2015

Sometime lurker and new to MF, this is my first post and I'm looking for some help. I recently bought a Bronica ETRC from KEH and my first roll came back blank. Having looked at the camera quite carefully I can see WHAT the problem is, but HOW to resolve it is something else!

Symptoms - the lens shutter speed seems to be accurate when fired with the back closed but with no film insert in place. Every time.
The lens shutter speed seems to be accurate when I hold the film insert to the body but do not attach the back. Every time.
When I close the back with the film holder in place, the lens shutter speed seems to drop back to 1/500 - every time.

This makes no sense to me - I can't see any electrical connections at the back that could cause this - has anyone had a similar problem? I don't want to send the body back just yet - postage from Canada to the US can be pricey - but my first foray into MF is really frustrating.

sfaber17 · May 14, 2015

If the battery isn't very good, it would revert to 1/500.

cmcphee · May 15, 2015

I would have expected that I'd see the same shutter behaviour in all cases if it was the battery? Not just when the film insert and back cover were in place. That's the mystifying part.

I put a fresh one in to see, but same problem.

Xmas · May 15, 2015

Does the battery test light come the same with
The insert removed
The insert and back attached

I'd clean the battery contacts carefully they should not be corroded

If you fire the shutter at 1 second does the red led flash?

cmcphee · May 15, 2015

Xmas said:
Does the battery test light come the same with
The insert removed
The insert and back attached

I'd clean the battery contacts carefully they should not be corroded

If you fire the shutter at 1 second does the red led flash?

I'll check that out when I get home from work. The contacts are clean & bright, so no issue there. I'll check the leds, thanks.

hsandler · May 15, 2015

With film in, or with the multiple exposure lever set to override the need to have film in, you can hear the shutter opening and closing at the slower speeds, distinct from the mirror slap sound. In fact, you can test it with a lens on and no back using the ME lever. Also, could it be that you loaded the film wrong way around? Not an uncommon mistake. It can seem a bit unnatural when you are new to a Bronica to put the black side of the paper out.

benjiboy · May 16, 2015

Have you loaded the film in the back the wrong way round (ie. with the backing paper facing the lens not the film ? )

cmcphee · May 16, 2015

No, the film was fine. It's definitely shutter-related. If I look from the front I can see the lens leaf shutter and time it. KEH haven't responded to 2 emails, so time for a phone call on Monday.

paul ron · May 17, 2015

THere is no electrical connection with the back but your problem is electrical. For some reason the back is disconnecting the batery. The only thing the back has in common with the body are mechanical interlocks.

Id say give KEH a heads up incase you do have to send the body back. Most times they have been so nice about problems, they may even let you take it to a repair shop to have it evaluated before sending it back.

Do this ASAP before your return policy runs out!

.

cmcphee · May 18, 2015

KEH stepped up and offered a full refund including shipping, so I'll take that and look for a new model. Still a bit frustrating, but I will get there eventually! Thanks for your suggestions guys.

paul ron · May 18, 2015

Why not take an exchange? If you bought a bgn rated n had problem... They usually upgrade the exchange to an excel just to be sure they made their customer happy. You in turn become free advertising n they know that!

Help with an ETRC problem?

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