Mamiya 7ii powering up problems

[Tom Kershaw]

I had my Mamiya 7ii camera out for the first time today in a while and could not get the camera to consistently stay powered up outside, so I changed to a fresh battery but the problem persisted, i.e the camera might occasionally spring into life and then shut-off again, making photography virtually impossible. Back indoors later I did manage to get the shutter to fire with a few scrap films - 65mm and 150mm lenses. With the camera back open to dry fire the shutter, the longer exposures e.g 1 to 4 seconds didn't work at first and then started working. I'm slightly suspicious the camera electronics are starting to fail in some way. Any similar experiences from other Mamiya owners?

I've contacted a UK camera repair company who will look at the Mamiya 7ii, but apparently parts are either in very short supply or not available, although they are able to do regular servicing and repairs.

 

[mshchem]

Oh my. Probably just a bit of cleaning will do the trick.

 

[Tom Kershaw]

Probably just a bit of cleaning will do the trick

- cleaning of the internals by the repair company?

 

[Duceman]

How cold is it outside? Does it work inside?

Not sure if this would work, but Mamiya did make an external battery case. I have one, and use it when I'm outside during the winter (when temps are well, well below freezing). The below external case allows the battery to be worn inside a jacket, with your body heat keeping it warm.

 

[Tom Kershaw]

How cold is it outside? Does it work inside?

About 5c / 40f - with a lithium battery. The shutter now appears to be firing at all speeds correctly with the back open, indoors.

 

[mshchem]

How cold is it outside? Does it work inside?

Not sure if this would work, but Mamiya did make an external battery case. I have one, and use it when I'm outside during the winter (when temps are well, well below freezing). The below external case allows the battery to be worn inside a jacket, with your body heat keeping it warm.
View attachment 354952

This is a good point.

One of the best things I have ever used is one of these things

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1013911-REG/zts_mbt_1_mbt1_multi_battery_tester.html

Checks anything, puts a bit of a load on the battery. Not cheap but invaluable tool.

 

[Tom Kershaw]

One of the best things I have ever used is one of these things

Talking of batteries. I just tested the spare I installed in the camera earlier today and it only read as 6.0v whereas another lithium battery reads as approx. 6.5v - which I've now placed in the camera.

 

[mshchem]

Talking of batteries. I just tested the spare I installed in the camera earlier today and it only read as 6.0v whereas another lithium battery reads as approx. 6.5v - which I've now placed in the camera.

Sounds like you have a solution.

 

[Tom Kershaw]

Sounds like you have a solution.

I hope so. I'll give it a test during daylight to double check, and order some fresh spares. Possibly lesson learnt, don't trust your spare camera batteries without checking first.

 

[campy51]

The battery even though never used might be too weak from age.

 

[Tom Kershaw]

Initial signs look promising from the 6.5 volt fresh battery. I'll report back once I've been able to process the film.

 

[Tom Kershaw]

Film exposed with a fresh battery in the camera is fine.