Minolta x-570 shutter stuck closed after firing

Kodo · Dec 29, 2021

Hello. I turned back on a Minolta x-570 after a few decades and it was working just fine. I was testing it out and the shutter did get stuck closed one time after firing (looking through the camera was black). But I just opened the back and pushed the shutter back into place and it worked again. After about 20 shots later the cameras shutter locked closed again, only this time I had film in the back and couldn’t open it. So I decided to roll back all the film and push the shutter back into place, but whenever I tried taking a picture it would lock the shutter closed again. I looked online and saw that I could just replace the capacitor on the bottom. So I replaced the capacitor and tested the camera again but still no luck. I know on the x-700 there is some capacitors on the top, but I don’t know if the x-570 has the same capacitors. If anyone could provide me with ideas of what to do that would be great.

Symptoms: shutter stays closed after each shutter release; the LEDs in the view finder turn off after clicking the shutter release button; the film advance lever gets stuck when shutter is closed.

Kodo · Dec 29, 2021

This is what the replacement capacitor looks like. I am sure the polarity is correct.

Sirius Glass · Dec 29, 2021

You can just save yourself time and grief and send the camera out for a CLA. It will come back working, tested and all the shutter speeds will be within specification. Also any light leaks or potential light leaks will be remedied.

Kodo · Dec 29, 2021

Sirius Glass said:
You can just save yourself time and grief and send the camera out for a CLA. It will come back working, tested and all the shutter speeds will be within specification. Also any light leaks or potential light leaks will be remedied.

where can I do that? Also I feel like sending it out will end up costing more than just buying a new one.

Sirius Glass · Dec 29, 2021

Kodo said:
where can I do that? Also I feel like sending it out will end up costing more than just buying a new one.

But then you will have a camera that is a known quantity. Other than the camera not being used for years, you know that your camera has not be abused. When you go out and by a camera, its history and use are unknown to you. Whenever I have had the choice, I will pay to have the camera CLA'd unless the seller will cover a CLA if needed or take a return.

Kodo · Dec 29, 2021

Sirius Glass said:
But then you will have a camera that is a known quantity. Other than the camera not being used for years, you know that your camera has not be abused. When you go out and by a camera, its history and use are unknown to you. Whenever I have had the choice, I will pay to have the camera CLA'd unless the seller will cover a CLA if needed or take a return.

Yeah true. I am hoping for a not terribly hard way to solve this issue my self, but if I can’t find any then I will definitely do a CLA.

reddesert · Dec 30, 2021

Did you try replacing the batteries with new, like really new, batteries?

Duceman · Dec 30, 2021

Kodo said:
where can I do that? Also I feel like sending it out will end up costing more than just buying a new one.

Full CLA and replacement of capacitor will cost $68 shipped back to you.

http://www.garryscamera.com/minolta.htm

lantau · Dec 30, 2021

Happened to me on holiday in Hong Kong a few years back. I gave it to a local film shop, which also has a young repair crew. I think is was a lubrication issue. From your description it sound just like that. So a CLA is literally what you need.

Yes, this may cost more than you paid. But prices for cameras are going up anyway, and another one will likely be another failure waiting to happen. As Sirius said, once properly CLAed, you'll know what you've got in your hands. I am planning to successively send my 35mm cameras out for a rebirth procedure. it sucks to have a camera fail while out, taking pictures.

jwd722 · Dec 30, 2021

Duceman said:
Full CLA and replacement of capacitor will cost $68 shipped back to you.

http://www.garryscamera.com/minolta.htm

+1
Garrys Camera fixed mine and it works like new. Turn around time was a little over a week.

pbromaghin · Dec 30, 2021

I am of the opinion that when working with old equipment like this (I love my X-570) the whole notion of repair cost vs purchasing another one is just nonsense. The price isn't for the camera itself, it's for the fun of using such a camera. Whenever I purchase a camera I assume it will require a CLA. If it doesn't, well, great.

dynachrome · Dec 31, 2021

John Titterington will do an excellent job at a fair price. He has serviced many Minoltas for me, including a number of X-570 and X-700 cameras.

BobD · Dec 31, 2021

Kodo said:
I was testing it out and the shutter did get stuck closed one time after firing (looking through the camera was black).

Shutters are supposed to close after firing. That's why they're called shutters.

If the view through the camera on an SLR is black after exposure, that's due to the mirror not returning after exposure, not the shutter being "stuck closed."

neilt3 · Jan 7, 2022

Kodo said:
But I just opened the back and pushed the shutter back into place and it worked again. After about 20 shots later the cameras shutter locked closed again, only this time I had film in the back and couldn’t open it. .

Just a suggestion , but don't poke shutters with your finger .
Doesn't do them any good .

Kodo said:
Also I feel like sending it out will end up costing more than just buying a new one.

Where will you buy a new one ?
They stopped making them about 25 years ago !
Even if you buy a NIB one , it's still 25 to 35 years old .
Lack of use won't save the capacitor in it , it's a common fault in the X500/570 and X700 cameras .
Spend the money and have it serviced proper and you will get back a camera that's as good as new , and will give you many years of reliable service .
Replace it with another used one and that might pack in in a few weeks , cheaper in the long run to just get it fixed proper .

Sirius Glass · Jan 7, 2022

neilt3 said:
Just a suggestion , but don't poke shutters with your finger .
Doesn't do them any good .

Where will you buy a new one ?
They stopped making them about 25 years ago !
Even if you buy a NIB one , it's still 25 to 35 years old .
Lack of use won't save the capacitor in it , it's a common fault in the X500/570 and X700 cameras .
Spend the money and have it serviced proper and you will get back a camera that's as good as new , and will give you many years of reliable service .
Replace it with another used one and that might pack in in a few weeks , cheaper in the long run to just get it fixed proper .

Never poke a finger at a shutter, especially focal plane shutters because doing so can irreparable destroy a shutter.

neilt3 · Jan 8, 2022

Sirius Glass said:
Never poke a finger at a shutter, especially focal plane shutters because doing so can irreparable destroy a shutter.

I'm surprised no one had picked up on that in the OP .
Normally when the capacitor goes it prevents the shutter firing at all . Not just allowing the first shutter curtain to fire but not the second.
It most probably just needed a good service due to old dried up lubricants , but poking it with a finger could have caused more damage .

Sirius Glass · Jan 8, 2022

neilt3 said:
I'm surprised no one had picked up on that in the OP .
Normally when the capacitor goes it prevents the shutter firing at all . Not just allowing the first shutter curtain to fire but not the second.
It most probably just needed a good service due to old dried up lubricants , but poking it with a finger could have caused more damage .

A CLA every 20 years usually cures camera ills.

RMD · Jan 8, 2022

This is the latest Facebook list of Minolta repairers in the USA :
https://earthsunfilm.com/repair-ser...cAAqDbwZHDxzhPhS4FvACAPaoH0G9uhrFTCVz0t8arjMU

Minolta x-570 shutter stuck closed after firing

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