Mamiya 6 advance lever unlocking/shutter firing randomly

markaudacity · Jul 23, 2024

So I have seemingly the exact inverse of the problem other people seem to be having with their 6en: my camera not only always clicks when I expect it to, but sometimes when I don’t!

I initially thought it was a shutter issue, but based on the blank frames instead of pictures of my feet, it seems the shutter is staying closed and what’s happening is the interlock on the winder is unlocking, which prevents the shutter from firing and allows the winding lever to be moved when an exposure has not been made.

I have tried unmounting the lens and cleaning the contacts on both lens and body, and that seemed to reduce the number of instances, but it has not fully eliminated the problem yet.

Any pointers on what to look at once I have it apart?

MTGseattle · Jul 24, 2024

Having tried to take my Mamiya 6mf apart, I would not recommend this course of action. It is tightly packed and complicated. You may have a much higher skill rating than me so feel free if that's the case.
I cannot help at all with your question. I will say that if you get into trouble, I would send it to Bob Watkins at precision camera works. He's in Texas now.

brian steinberger · Jul 24, 2024

MTGseattle said:
I would send it to Bob Watkins at precision camera works. He's in Texas now.

+1

Augied · Jul 24, 2024

-1

I sent my Mamiya 6 to Bob in 2019. When I got it back a year later, the problem was not fixed, and it had developed a new issue. I sent it back, and this time it took over 18 months (and constant badgering) to get it back, and it still didn't work. Bob may have been the best back in the day, but he only ever offered me empty promises.

OrientPoint · Jul 24, 2024

I'd recommend trying Frank Marshman. He turned mine around in a few weeks at a reasonable price. And it works.

Dan Daniel · Jul 25, 2024

Bill Rogers is very experienced with these cameras. It'd be worth contacting him to see if he's seen this problem.

Mamiya Repair – Servicing All Mamiya Cameras and Lenses

mamiyarepair.com

markaudacity · Jul 25, 2024

MTGseattle said:
Having tried to take my Mamiya 6mf apart, I would not recommend this course of action. It is tightly packed and complicated. You may have a much higher skill rating than me so feel free if that's the case.
I cannot help at all with your question. I will say that if you get into trouble, I would send it to Bob Watkins at precision camera works. He's in Texas now.

I installed a new diaphragm unit in a Canon 70-200 USM without having ever opened one up before, returned a Kiev-60 to a working advance and frame counter, and I have mechanically repaired dead hard drives, so I think I'm likely equal to the task.

Dan Daniel · Jul 25, 2024

Here's Bill Roger's Instagram feed. Give a look. And look at the series of photos, not just the first one. Like the newest post, just a body shot, but the real fun is in the next photos. You'll get to see the insides of a few Mamiya 6's and 7's. This will help you decide before opening up yours. This isn't a questioning of your abilities, just a way for you to see what is under the hood and get a sense of what you are up against.

Bill Rogers (@billrogerscamera) • Instagram photos and videos

4,335 Followers, 321 Following, 288 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Bill Rogers (@billrogerscamera)

www.instagram.com

markaudacity · Jul 26, 2024

Dan Daniel said:
Here's Bill Roger's Instagram feed. Give a look.

Hell yeah, thanks for this. Really great feed, and I love that he explains the repairs he does.

MTGseattle · Jul 28, 2024

This is good news that there are other folks willing and able to work on these. Actual printed information regarding repair and parts seems to be really scarce and/or closely guarded.

I Plugged Bob at PCW because he has come through for me more than once. I'm sorry to hear that @Augied had a bad experience. PCW lead times are usually overtly stated at the outset, but that seems extreme.

@markaudacity It sounds like you are up to the task. I will humbly submit that the Mamiya rangefinders (6, 6MF, 7 and 7II) are quite far removed from a Kiev-60. I had to modify a screwdriver just to get the main advance screw removed, then I could not figure out how to hold the self-timer button in place while re-seating the top cover. Added to that are my admittedly horrible soldering skills. My camera would not be the place for further practice if something else went awry.

Rick Rycroft · Jul 31, 2024

I've had a less than happy experience with PCW as well.

At first the fault I complained about with my Mamiya 6, a hanging shutter on the first frame after a day or more of sitting, was not fixed. It was returned to me not fixed and with glue or some other substance in the viewfinder.

It was eventually fixed but with more problems along the way.

It's good to know there are others out there able to work on them.

Mamiya 6 advance lever unlocking/shutter firing randomly

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