Minolta XG-2 fixing shutter stuck in bulb problem

[Giampiero1958]

{Moderator note: this post was split off from another thread: https://www.photrio.com/forum/threads/minolta-xg-a-prism-replacement.211711/ }

Mi sono imbattuto in una vecchia Minolta XG-2, che faceva parte di un lotto di fotocamere acquistate come difettose. Questo dispositivo presenta due difetti: una striscia nera che appare all'interno del mirino e l'otturatore fisso in posizione "bulb" per tutti i tempi impostati, sia in manuale che in automatico. Ricordando lo smontaggio di una SRT, ho provato ad aprire la parte superiore della fotocamera per pulire il prisma o la lente di Fresnel da questo nastro. Quando sono arrivato a rimuovere il coperchio e l'oculare, mi sono dovuto fermare: la scheda elettronica che sormonta il prisma è collegata in modo davvero complesso, in parte bloccata con viti, in parte saldata. Senza la sua rimozione temporanea o, quantomeno, il suo ribaltamento, il prisma è inaccessibile. Certo, avrebbero potuto trovare un sistema costruttivo più semplice per la manutenzione o la riparazione. Per il momento ho rinunciato e ho rimontato tutto. Se non potrò fare altrimenti, la userò per esercitarmi.
Qualcuno di voi ha mai avuto a che fare con il problema dell'otturatore che scattava sempre in modalità "bulb"?
Saluti.

{AI translation:}

I came across an old Minolta XG-2, which was part of a batch of cameras bought as defective. This device has two flaws: a black stripe that appears inside the viewfinder and the fixed shutter in the "bulb" position for all set times, both manual and automatic. Remembering the disassembly of an SRT, I tried opening the top of the camera to clean the prism or Fresnel lens from this tape. When I came to remove the cover and the eyepiece, I had to stop: the electronic board that surmounts the prism is connected in a really complex way, partly locked with screws, partly soldered. Without its temporary removal or, at least, its overturning, the prism is inaccessible. Of course, they could have found a simpler construction system for maintenance or repair. For the moment I gave up and reassembled everything. If I can't do otherwise, I'll use it to practice.
Have any of you ever had to deal with the problem of the shutter always shooting in "bulb" mode? Greetings.

 

[Andreas Thaler]

@Giampiero1958

Please write your posts in English, Google Translate will help you if necessary:

Google Translate

Google's service, offered free of charge, instantly translates words, phrases, and web pages between English and over 100 other languages.

translate.google.com

Thanks

 

[Giampiero1958]

I came across an old Minolta XG-2, which was part of a batch of cameras purchased as defective. This device has two defects: a black stripe that appears inside the viewfinder and the shutter fixed in the "bulb" position for all set times, both in manual and automatic. Remembering the disassembly of an SRT, I tried to open the top of the camera to clean the prism or the Fresnel lens from this tape. When I got to remove the cover and the eyepiece, I had to stop: the electronic board that tops the prism is connected in a really complex way, partly blocked with screws, partly soldered. Without its temporary removal or, at least, its overturning, the prism is inaccessible. Of course, they could have found a simpler construction system for maintenance or repair. For the moment I gave up and reassembled everything. If I can't do otherwise, I will use it for practice.
Have any of you ever had to deal with the problem of the shutter always shooting in "bulb" mode?
Cheers.

 

[Andreas Thaler]

You might find information about it here:

Minolta XG-Series Service Manual

Factory service manual. Covers the XG-7, XG-2, and XG-E

learncamerarepair.com

Even if the XG-2 is mentioned directly only in the first issue shown there. The cameras in the series should have a similar design.

 

[Giampiero1958]

Ho trovato alcune informazioni cercando su internet. L'ampia fascia nera orizzontale che appare sul mirino sembra essere causata, nelle fotocamere più vecchie, dalla corrosione del rivestimento del prisma causata dalla decomposizione della schiuma di supporto, un fenomeno chiamato desilvering del prisma. Il problema non può essere risolto efficacemente senza sostituire il prisma. Ho trovato un ricambio di seconda mano, ma ho chiesto al fornitore se presentasse anch'esso problemi e sono in attesa di una risposta.
Allora dovrò divertirmi a provare a sostituirlo. Come ho detto, il circuito stampato del prisma sembra essere saldato in diversi punti.
Riguardo al problema di scattare sempre in modalità "bulb", non sono riuscito a trovare nulla di specifico, a parte un'indicazione generica di vari difetti attribuibili ai condensatori, di cui si consiglia la sostituzione. Sembra che in molti casi questo abbia risolto i malfunzionamenti. Vi farò sapere. Ciao a tutti.

 

[koraks]

I found some information on the internet. The large horizontal black band appearing on the viewfinder appears to be caused, in older cameras, by the corrosion of the prism coating caused by the decomposition of the backbone, a phenomenon called desilvering of the prism. The problem cannot be solved effectively without replacing the prism. I found a second-hand replacement, but I asked the supplier if it also had problems and I'm waiting for an answer.
Then I'll have to have fun trying to replace him. As I said, the printed circuit board of the prism seems to be welded in several places.
Regarding the problem of always shooting in "bulb" mode, I could not find anything specific, apart from a generic indication of various defects attributable to capacitors, which is recommended to replace. It seems that in many cases this has solved the malfunctions. I'll let you know. Hello everyone.

Thanks for the update; I hope the replacement will work out OK! The capacitor replacement on cameras like these isn't too difficult. You'll find some descriptions also on this forum, although not for this particular camera type. There are one or two threads showing how it's done on e.g. the XG-M.

 

[xkaes]

Here's a link for Minolta capacitor repair:

https://www.678vintagecameras.ca/blog/what-was-up-with-minolta-and-capacitors