Minolta issue

ongakublue · Aug 15, 2015

Hi everyone

Well it is quite a disappointed. I bought a Minolta x-500 (570) and when I loaded the film and tried to move on, the number on the little indicator is staying at S and not moving forward. Now the film is exposed because I opened the door just to see if I had reloaded badly or something. I wonder if this is a recurring issue.

Thanks

Les Sarile · Aug 15, 2015

Your experiences seem indicative of lack of experience and/or gear in poor working condition.
I would highly recommend that even before you put film in, that you familiarize yourself with the workings of the camera. Manuals can be found at http://www.butkus.org/chinon/index.html.
Generally, once you are familiar with one model from a brand - like Minolta manual focus cameras, they all work similarly. Funny that as simple as these are, it takes a little orientation particularly if you are coming from a more automated background.

John Koehrer · Aug 15, 2015

The counter should work even without film so close the back & wind & fire the camera a number of times. It should count. When the door is opened it should reset to 0. If it doesn't it needs a bit of service.

ongakublue · Aug 15, 2015

John Koehrer said:
The counter should work even without film so close the back & wind & fire the camera a number of times. It should count. When the door is opened it should reset to 0. If it doesn't it needs a bit of service.

Thanks John. Yeah I have experience with the srts and the ex-500 and so I know something else is wrong. I have a mental check list of things to check when I look at cameras in the shop but missed this obvious one.

Ricardo Miranda · Aug 15, 2015

Without film, open the back and check the action of the small leaver in the top groove. It should go freely in and then return back.
Almost all 35mm SLR from the 70s onwards operate the same for the film counter reset.
As you are there, how are the seals?

McFortner · Aug 15, 2015

Damn, Les, that was a little bit cold don't you think?

pbromaghin · Aug 15, 2015

The counter on my X-570 quit working a couple years ago. It concerned me at first, but everything else works and it isn't that much of a bother any more. I have a general idea when the roll should be ending so I just make sure to have the next roll ready.

GRHazelton · Aug 15, 2015

Could be that foam light seal material is fouling the counter reset pin/lever. A TINY bit of WD 40 or some such might free it up. New seals would be a fine idea in any case.

summicron1 · Aug 15, 2015

you might also check on the outside edge of the camera on the top adjacent to the film counter window. Any dents? That will do it.

ongakublue · Aug 16, 2015

Hi guys,

Thanks for the replies.
I brought it back to the shop. The guy didn't even try to fix it. He just gave me my money back. I think that is how they do things there. I replaced it with an x700 (well, it was a little more expensive). I tested it more fully, put film into it and it seems to be working fine. I never know I guess until the film is developed. I like this camera as a carry around camera. It feels great in the hand.

Minolta issue

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