Minolta 16 MG-S problem shooting fully manual

[ObsidianLycan]

Hi!

My subminiature journey continues, and this time I have picked up a Minolta 16 MG-S. I pulled out the old mercury battery, of course it is long dead.

Before embarking on replacement batteries, I want to just run a test roll shooting manual shutter speed and aperture. I read a little and figured out how to do it; putting the camera into flash mode and rotating the inner dial to select the aperture, while using the outer to select the shutter speed as normal.

But, the shutter doesn't seem to fire properly/isn't cocking, but perhaps I am misunderstanding something in how to operate it. If I set the aperture dial all the way over to the farthest point (f16), then all shutter speeds fire and sound ok in terms of progression. I can also see the aperture appear briefly as the shutter opens, as well as hearing a much heavier "click". However, if I rotate the inner dial to anything other than f16 then the shutter makes a quieter click and doesn't open when viewed from the front. It feels as I wind on, there is also less resistance towards the end of the wind where previously I could feel something engaging (the shutter cocking, I presume).

I made a video, which demonstrates the above (with sound) https://photos.app.goo.gl/nF1e3paJ8pK3CEGr6

I am torn between suspecting I am missing something really obvious and the sinking feeling the shutter is broken. Anyone have any experience with these little guys?

 

[ic-racer]

Reads as if it needs to be serviced.

 

[ObsidianLycan]

Reads as if it needs to be serviced.

Ah I suspect you are right, I was kinda hoping I was doing something wrong. I'm dreading opening this up as I can't find any good disassembly guides like with the Kiev 30/303

 

[xkaes]

I've got the MG-s service manual. It's not that difficult to take apart, but like any malfunctioning camera, the difficult part is knowing which part(s) are having a "problem".

As you probably already know, you cannot adjust the aperture until the shutter is cocked -- that happens when the film advance dial is turned (no film or battery needs to be in the camera). I assume that when you cock the shutter and press the shutter release that you are able to turn the film advance dial again. If so, the shutter is cocking correctly.

If you set the shutter speed at 1/30 and the aperture at f5.6 and look at the lens with a flashlight, you should be able to see the aperture -- briefly, but clearly -- if the shutter is working correctly.

Can you try that?

 

[Helios 1984]

Hi,

I disassembled an MG-S, a few months back, and I'm puzzled by why the aperture mechanism would prevent the actuation of the shutter. When you press the release button, a series of linkages pulls a lock which releases the actuation sliding plate. The release of this sliding plate will allow the aperture graduated lever to spring up and stop on a pre-selected aperture setting, just a moment before the sliding plate completes its travel and hits the shutter release. The action of changing the aperture should not, in theory, be able to prevent the release of the shutter.

My guess is that there's something wrong with the aperture blades or maybe the spring of the graduated lever is out of position and it somehow de-synchronized the mechanism.

Here's what I call the "Aperture graduated lever".

 

[xkaes]

Very nice, helpful shots. My hope is that something just needs to be cleaned and lubrication -- AKA, STUCK. I have a couple that need some TLC myself -- I just need to find the time. Fortunately, I have a couple of spares, so I can afford to procrastinate.

 

[ObsidianLycan]

Hi everyone, sorry for the delay! Thanks so much for commenting and pitching in, seems we have some fellow submin lovers here <3

I got brave an opened it up, just removing the outer case so I could see the workings. Thanks @Helios 1984, that video is super useful!

I spent a while getting my head around all the moving parts, and somewhere along the way, the issue changed! Now, the shutter fires towards the end of the advance dial movement. Now the shutter fires everytime, but not at a useful time . This happens at all shutter speeds. Whatever was happening with the aperture before seems to have resolved, curiously. I can also see when the shutter fires at 1/30 that the aperture size is indeed changing as I change the aperture dial (hurrah?).

I made a video in the same style as the one above. Any thoughts what could be causing this, or what area of the mechanisms I should try and take a look at next?

New video by Janine Pendleton

photos.app.goo.gl