Mamiya 7 self timer button 'fell' off

kcham16 · Aug 6, 2014

hey all- I pulled my Mamiya 7 out of my camera bag the other day, and it was missing the self timer button. I looked in my bag, and it was at the bottom. I didn't hit it or anything, and it appears that it simply fell off in my bag. there are no marks from being broken off. When I go to put it back on, it just pops right off again.
Anyone ever come across anything like this? if so, any ideas on fixing?
thanks in advance- btw I absolutely love using this camera!

L.J.SILVER · Aug 7, 2014

This happened to both of my Mamiya 7s - they just sort of fell out. Luckily both happened while under warranty and were fixed without cost to me. So, I feel for you but sorry I can't help with how to rectify it.

This could be a manufacturing weakness in the Mamiya 7. Actually I wish Mamiya had put a much better premium on the built quality of this camera. It's a shame, great design, great lenses, but it doesn't feel like it's built for the long haul. I still love using them though!

Ghostman · Aug 7, 2014

As wonderful as these cameras are, they are not the most robust. They are plastic and squeekety-rickety and will have bits falling off in no time at all. Still, we love them and we keep buying them. I think I'll stock up on a new one for when my current second one starts falling to pieces.

Gunter Caus · Aug 24, 2021

kcham16 said:
hey all- I pulled my Mamiya 7 out of my camera bag the other day, and it was missing the self timer button. I looked in my bag, and it was at the bottom. I didn't hit it or anything, and it appears that it simply fell off in my bag. there are no marks from being broken off. When I go to put it back on, it just pops right off again.
Anyone ever come across anything like this? if so, any ideas on fixing?
thanks in advance- btw I absolutely love using this camera!

Today the very same thing happened to my Mamiya 7. Both the button and the little spring could be found on exactly the same place, at the bottom of my camera bag.
Were you able to figure out how to put it back in place, and keep it there?

Mamiya_Repair · Aug 24, 2021

The self timer button can only be installed after the top cover is removed. If it did not break (you should have about 2.5mm of shaft on the end) it can be put back in place but some way will have to constructed to hold it in as originally there was a small cap pressed and glued to the shaft to keep it in place. When I see these cameras in the shop missing the self timer button, my concern is always about the cap as when it comes off or breaks, it stays in the camera and can cause problems when it goes to places it should not be.

Gunter Caus · Aug 25, 2021

Mamiya_Repair said:
The self timer button can only be installed after the top cover is removed. If it did not break (you should have about 2.5mm of shaft on the end) it can be put back in place but some way will have to constructed to hold it in as originally there was a small cap pressed and glued to the shaft to keep it in place. When I see these cameras in the shop missing the self timer button, my concern is always about the cap as when it comes off or breaks, it stays in the camera and can cause problems when it goes to places it should not be.

You are right sir/ma'am, thanks for the detailed description and explanation! For now, I consider myself still lucky. The shaft of the button is still intact, I have the spring, but I did see the cap disappear in the body. At first it was still present, nicely centred in the middle of the hole, resting on the black platform that engages with the self-timer. It still puzzles me why it did not fell off by itself. Was it also glued on that black platform? Anyway, I hoped to simply push the button back into the cap, but that's when the cap got pushed away. I'll have to carefully put my camera under anaesthesia now, and search for that tiny little piece.

RalphLambrecht · Aug 25, 2021

Ghostman said:
As wonderful as these cameras are, they are not the most robust. They are plastic and squeekety-rickety and will have bits falling off in no time at all. Still, we love them and we keep buying them. I think I'll stock up on a new one for when my current second one starts falling to pieces.

never had any trouble with my Mamiya6 in 20 years!

gone · Aug 25, 2021

The camera is trying to tell you something.......don't use the self timer. I've had so many cameras that had self timers that get hung up, I would consider any self timer button that fell off as a win, win sort of deal.

Gunter Caus · Aug 28, 2021

momus said:
The camera is trying to tell you something.......don't use the self timer. I've had so many cameras that had self timers that get hung up, I would consider any self timer button that fell off as a win, win sort of deal.

Although I never had any trouble with self-timer buttons in the past, I do like your view on this

Mamiya 7 self timer button 'fell' off

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency