Mamiya RZ67 shutter cocking lever won't move

[Simonh82]

I've just borrowed an RZ67 from the university where I work's photography department. I'm checking it out before deciding on whether to invest in a MF SLR. The technical tutor gave me the briefest run through and kindly sent me off with a loaded a roll of Portra 160 and the film advanced to shot 1. I duly downloaded the instruction manual http://www.mamiyaleaf.com/assets/files/documentation/RZ67_Pro_v4.pdf and started to have a play around with it. I managed to fire of the first shot without much incident but when I went to wind on to the second shot the advance lever wouldn't budge. I could wind on the film using the knob on the back but even then couldn't use the lever to cock the shutter and get the mirror down for the next shot.

After playing around with it for some time I realised that if I move the release button collar to the emergency 1/400s shutter position then I could use the lever. I then screwed up several shots by not returning it to the normal position and taking very low light photos at 1/400s. I realised my mistake and returned the release button collar to the standard position but yet again found that I couldn't move the lever to cock the shutter or return the mirror to its normal location.

I don't think the battery is dead, however it is hard to tell as there is no dark slide and the dark slide is required for the battery check. If I press the shutter button without cocking the shutter then I can see a very small faint orange LED in the viewfinder. Should this LED be brighter? It is barely noticeable.

I checked the instruction manual which said the camera takes 4x LR44 or SR44. I tried to replace the battery with 4 LR44s but found it had a different battery something like a 28L, which whilst still 6v in total is a little larger than 4 LR44s so I can't test if the battery is at fault without paying for an expensive battery. I will go back to the technical tutor if there is a genuine problem but as this is very much a favour, I don't wont to waste his time if there is something obvious I'm missing.

Does this sound like a battery issue? What else could be causing it?

Thank you for your thoughts on this one.

 

[CropDusterMan]

Start simple and move forward. Replace the battery and go from there. I think that's a likely cause.

 

[MattKing]

As per the manual, the RZ67 takes either a single 4LR44 or a single 4SR44 battery. It does not take 4 LR44 batteries or 4 SR44 batteries.

A 4SR44 battery used to be known as a PX28 battery, so I expect that a 28L battery is just the lithium version of that.

 

[Simonh82]

It turns out it was the battery. A folded up bit of kitchen foil allowed me to use the LR44 batteries that I had available. When inserted I could wind on as expected. I got a new battery today and also a 1/4" tripod thread adapter so I can use it on my tripod. I think I'm all set to go now.

I have to say I find the camera a strange combination of manual and electronic. I think I managed to get one or two shots out of the roll that, hopefully will be properly exposed. It is less pleasant to hand hold than the Mamiya C330 that I currently use, although this may be to do with the fact that there is no neck strap and I'm nervous about dropping a borrowed camera. I'm hoping that it will work well for me for shooting landscapes and family portraits, but we will have to see.

 

[CropDusterMan]

I hand-held the RZ for years...I thought it fit in the hand very well...hold the camera with the left hand, index finger on the trigger,
focus at the same time with your right. Having the Prism finder makes it very easy. The neck strap system on the RZ sucks and
I wouldn't trust it. There is also a trigger grip available for it...I used it when shooting cycling from a motorcycle.

 

[M Carter]

A multimeter is a handy thing to own - Harbor Freight and Amazon have them for well under ten bucks. I'm no electrician, but I can test batteries and lamps (continuity) and switches with mine. Instant elimination when troubleshooting!

 

[Nathan King]

I realize you solved the problem, but this is also worth mentioning...I have had the release socket on the lens stay out after unscrewing the release. When you press the shutter release the mirror goes up but of course the leaf shutter has not yet been tripped. The camera realizes this and will not allow the film to advance.