Mamiya C33 shutter release seemed locked

penduboy · Mar 5, 2016

Hi all, i just bought a Mamiay C33 with older model chrome 80mm lens for $130. Camera and lens are in decent condition and lens works fine on all shutter speeds and aperture is opening and closing without any issues. But when I mount the lens on the camera and wind the lever it cocks the shutter as I see the shutter cocking button going down but the shutter button mechanism on the camera won't go down enough to push the shutter release button on the lens. I can still fire the shutter if I push down the shutter release button on the lens manually. Since I am new to this Mamiya system, am i doing something wrong. As far as I know there is no shutter lock button on the camera. I am here to see if there is an easy fix for that if not I still have time to return this and I can send it back.

Oh and the knob on the other side is on Lock position.

Thanks, Pendu
PS: Shutter mechanism on the camera won't go down enough and seemed stuck even after removing the lens.

Kirks518 · Mar 5, 2016

First, it's a great camera. Second, read the manual, which you can find at butkus.org. Third, read the manual.

Put a roll of film or a take up spool in the camera, make sure all the interlocks are unlocked, make sure the back is fully closed, and it should fire.

penduboy · Mar 5, 2016

Kirks518 said:
First, it's a great camera. Second, read the manual, which you can find at butkus.org. Third, read the manual.

Put a roll of film or a take up spool in the camera, make sure all the interlocks are unlocked, make sure the back is fully closed, and it should fire.

Hi Krik, Thanks for you quick response. Yes, I read the manual couple of times, I can read it again

I have loaded the camera with a test roll couple of times and locked the back and tried these steps few times without success. Everything else works fine on the camera except the shutter mechanism seems stuck and won't go down enough to trigger the shutter release button.

Thanks

Kirks518 · Mar 5, 2016

Ok, make sure the lens release dial is in the LOCK position, the film is loaded properly, and that the number 1 is showing in the window, and the door is shut fully (two locks).

penduboy · Mar 5, 2016

Kirks518 said:
Ok, make sure the lens release dial is in the LOCK position, the film is loaded properly, and that the number 1 is showing in the window, and the door is shut fully (two locks).

Yes, the lens release dial is in Lock position and film is loaded properly and number 1 is showing int eh window. Back door also seemed locked tight and i have also turned the circular button in other direction to avoid accidental sliding.

Shutter mechanism seems locked somehow and won't go down. Not sure what else can i try.

Thanks for your help.

Luckless · Mar 5, 2016

I'm not familiar with the C33, but my C330f has a shutter lock switch, a little numb that slides back and forth on the front frame above the side release shutter button which keeps you from depressing the shutter buttons (Another model has it in the same spot, but looks like it goes up and down instead), but also has a lock dial for the darkslide feature when switching lenses. Does the C33 have a similar setup?

I'm looking at images of it, and the C33 seems to have a similar looking setup over all, but I can't see a shutter lock button on it like the C330 series has.

Could also be something simply jamming in the release.

penduboy · Mar 5, 2016

Luckless said:
I'm not familiar with the C33, but my C330f has a shutter lock switch, a little numb that slides back and forth on the front frame above the side release shutter button which keeps you from depressing the shutter buttons (Another model has it in the same spot, but looks like it goes up and down instead), but also has a lock dial for the darkslide feature when switching lenses. Does the C33 have a similar setup?

I'm looking at images of it, and the C33 seems to have a similar looking setup over all, but I can't see a shutter lock button on it like the C330 series has.

Could also be something simply jamming in the release.

Hi Luckless, really appreciate your time looking into my issue. I couldn't find a shutter lock button on C33 as you have on your C330. Not sure what is stopping the camera to release the shutter mechanism. I was looking forward to use this camera over weekend :-(

I will appreciate any help from C33 users.

Thanks

Kirks518 · Mar 5, 2016

Yeah, The C33 doesn't have the lock that Luckless was referring to. The only things I can think of/remember preventing the shutter release button from depressing is if the counter isn't on #1 (or higher), no film (or spool in the take up location), and if the lens release is in the UNLOCK position. I'm going to guess it's either something very simple, or something broken, no in betweens on this I fear.

paul ron · Mar 5, 2016

how much further down does the cocking lever have to go till it works? perhaps the arm is bent and just needs to be adjusted ever so slightly?

penduboy · Mar 5, 2016

hi Paul,

it doesn't seems like that the arm is bent. when i press the shutter mechanism after cocking the shutter with crank it goes 75% down on first try but not down enough to trigger the shutter. After first try then it won't go down at all. i have to manually fire the shutter lever on the lens, cock the shutter from the crank and move to next frame and repeat the steps.

thanks

Kirks518 · Mar 5, 2016

If it's going down 75% of the way, it's not an interlock preventing it from firing. When an interlock is engaged, the button barely moves.

Look closely for something in the way of the shutter arm travel. Sounds like either something is physically in it's way, or something is broken.

penduboy · Mar 5, 2016

Hi Kirk, I can't see anything from outside that is interfering and not sure how can I open the side to see if something interfering with shutter arm inside.

Kirks518 · Mar 5, 2016

I have't opened a C3 series, but I have opened a C220 for a repair. I used THIS Manual, which I think would get you going in the right direction.

MattKing · Mar 6, 2016

From Graham Patterson's Mamiya TLR system summary:

"The crank should be reverse wound back to the rest position after each frame advance"

Is this what you are doing?

Will it work if you switch it to the multiple exposure setting?

penduboy · Mar 6, 2016

Kirks518 said:
I have't opened a C3 series, but I have opened a C220 for a repair. I used THIS Manual, which I think would get you going in the right direction.

Hi Kirk,

Thanks for the repair instructions, I guess I have to open up the side of the camera to look into the problem. I am now thinking to return the camera rather then spending time fixing it.

thanks

penduboy · Mar 6, 2016

MattKing said:
From Graham Patterson's Mamiya TLR system summary:

"The crank should be reverse wound back to the rest position after each frame advance"

Is this what you are doing?

Will it work if you switch it to the multiple exposure setting?

Hi Matt,

Yes, I know that and that is exactly what i am doing but shutter release is still not working. I tried using multiple exposure setting as well but no luck. I guess I need to send it back to the seller and look for working camera.

I will still willing to try any simple solution to fix the problem but would rather avoid to take the camera apart as it will void my return.

tHanks

MattKing · Mar 6, 2016

penduboy said:
Hi Matt,

Yes, I know that and that is exactly what i am doing but shutter release is still not working. I tried using multiple exposure setting as well but no luck. I guess I need to send it back to the seller and look for working camera.

I will still willing to try any simple solution to fix the problem but would rather avoid to take the camera apart as it will void my return.

tHanks

Graham Patterson posts here regularly under screen name grahamp. I would suggest contacting him directly through the site's messaging system - "start a conversation". Confusingly, that is accessed through the "inbox" link at the top right.

penduboy · Mar 6, 2016

MattKing said:
Graham Patterson posts here regularly under screen name grahamp. I would suggest contacting him directly through the site's messaging system - "start a conversation". Confusingly, that is accessed through the "inbox" link at the top right.

Hi Matt,

Thanks, I will try to contact Graham and keep you guys posted.

Thanks

paul ron · Mar 6, 2016

read this... it says you must have film in it to fire the shutter

http://camerapedia.wikia.com/wiki/Mamiya_C33_Professional

Kirks518 · Mar 6, 2016

paul ron said:
read this... it says you must have film in it to fire the shutter

http://camerapedia.wikia.com/wiki/Mamiya_C33_Professional

Yes, but you can fool the camera with a spool on the take-up side.

penduboy · Mar 6, 2016

Yes, I tried everything with with empty spool and even ran a exposed film through the camera. I can cock the shutter and use shutter release on the lens but unable to fire it with shutter mechanism on the camera which seems stuck somehow. I think something behind the side plate and I don't want to fiddle with it as I can simply return it and look for a better working camera from eBay, KEH or local craigslist.

Thanks everyone for timely help. I am very happy to be part of very helpful Apug community.

Regards, Pendu

doughowk · Mar 6, 2016

I had bought a C330 from KEH, and it had intermittent problems with shutter release. The bar on right side that's part of shutter release and travels out with lens focusing was being blocked from moving down by a loose part in camera body. Returned it to KEH, and they solved the issue.

penduboy · Mar 6, 2016

doughowk said:
I had bought a C330 from KEH, and it had intermittent problems with shutter release. The bar on right side that's part of shutter release and travels out with lens focusing was being blocked from moving down by a loose part in camera body. Returned it to KEH, and they solved the issue.

Yes, I have similar issue with my C33 but I am not sure what is blocking the camera shutter arm.

Thanks, Pendu

John Koehrer · Mar 6, 2016

I vaguely recall* a compatibility problem with older lenses on these critters. Recollections aren't necessarily fact
based but the earlier shutters needed a longer stroke than newer cameras provided.

*I've been wrong before.

paul ron · Mar 6, 2016

for $130 you paid, you can probably buy another c33 body labeled for parts only and no lens. you got the camera dirt cheap.

at that price id live with it, or fix it but you'd be looking a gift horse in the mouth if you return it.

now i have to take my tlr out to see whats going on with yours. i think removing the bottom plate will give you access to the firing mechanisms.

btw i kind of remeber hearing something about newer lenses too as mentioned above.. not certain though. its been a long time since i played with these.

where are you located op?

Mamiya C33 shutter release seemed locked

penduboy

Kirks518

penduboy

Kirks518

penduboy

Luckless

penduboy

Kirks518

paul ron

penduboy

Kirks518

penduboy

Kirks518

MattKing

Moderator

penduboy

penduboy

MattKing

Moderator

penduboy

paul ron

Kirks518

penduboy

doughowk

penduboy

John Koehrer

paul ron

Mamiya C33 shutter release seemed locked

Moderator

Moderator

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency