Mamiya 6 - lever advance problem after exposure

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iakustov

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Hi,

I have the following problem with my Mamiya 6 (a "new", not the folder one).

Sometimes after pressing the shutter I cannot advance the lever. This occurs when I don’t hear that "click" afterwards and I have to press the "emergency advance/stop release button" on the right hand side. After that I can advance the level normally.

I had thought this is a battery problem as it always occurred at mid-low temperatures (say, less than 10 C), but never had problem when it is relatively hot.

But after browsing internet for a while I found that it's most likely related to a magnetic switch which tells the system that the shutter has fired and which frees the advance lever after exposure. And that this part tends to freeze after several years of useage.

Although there is a workaround, it is quite annoying to use a pen or alike to press an emergency button after each exposure.

There must be many people facing the same issue - has anyone tried fixing this yourself or knows where to look at?
Its 2017 now and most likely there is deficit in Mamiya 6 spare parts, but I have a feeling there should be no problems to find an "unofficial" substitute for that "magnet".
May be you know good camera repair services in Europe which you can recommend servicing Mamiya 6 with such a problem?
It seems that there is still official Mamiya Germany service in Munich, but I have not contacted them so have no clue.
 

grahamp

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Keeping the lens/body electrical contacts clean can help. Anything that affects the power (poor contacts, weak battery) seems to be the problem with these. Periodic cleaning and fresh batteries seems to be the easiest route barring actual failure. I expect mine will give up the ghost one day 8-(
 

quixotic

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If i recall correctly, at lower temps, the stiffened lubricants make it harder for the magnetic switch to do its job. I found this out on my second roll, which was during a hiking trip at about 5 degrees C. I scoured the internet for a cure, but wound up selling the unit for a significant loss (fully disclosing the problem which arose at lower temps only).
 
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iakustov

iakustov

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If i recall correctly, at lower temps, the stiffened lubricants make it harder for the magnetic switch to do its job. I found this out on my second roll, which was during a hiking trip at about 5 degrees C. I scoured the internet for a cure, but wound up selling the unit for a significant loss (fully disclosing the problem which arose at lower temps only).

Hmm. It sounds like it would just require a CLA, no spare parts needed. This is good news!
The question is now to find a decent place to do it..
 

shutterlight

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You want Precision Camera Works in Illinois: Dead Link Removed

They bought up Mamiya Corp.'s supply of Mamiya 6 parts, and are your best bet to get service for your 6.
 
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iakustov

iakustov

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I have contacted Precision Camera Works and they replied they had spare parts for the magnet. Once I save the money, I am going to send them camera and all three lenses for the fix, CLA and rangefinder calibration.
Thanks everyone!
 
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