Minolta XK Mirror Locking Up on Slower Speeds

dustyman · May 4, 2017

I just received a beautiful XK-AES body that seems to me fine EXCEPT that the mirror locks up when shooting at speeds slower than 1/250th. Occasionally at 1/250th as well, but not often. I must then turn the battery cover to release the mirror.

The be clear, all the shutter speeds fire and sound accurate. It's just that mirror decides to lock in the up position after the shutter completes, when shooting 1/125 down to 1 second. Including X, by the way.

Any suggestions as how I can address this issue myself will be greatly appreciated.
Has anyone had a similar issue?

Thank you

Bruce

AgX · May 4, 2017

See here too, at the insert:
http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/hardwares/classics/minoltaxk/htmls/index2.htm

dustyman · May 4, 2017

Thank you. Yes, I did read this. It is interesting, but doesn't address when this occurs only shooting the lower speed range.

AgX said:
See here too, at the insert:
http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/hardwares/classics/minoltaxk/htmls/index2.htm

Les Sarile · May 4, 2017

Does it also lockup when using X or Bulb?
Do you use the senswitch or do you put the switch to "ON" so that the meter is always on instead?

dustyman · May 5, 2017

Yes, also locks up using both X or bulb. It occurs either when in manual mode or auto with or without senswitch.
Does that help the diagnosis?

Les Sarile said:
Does it also lockup when using X or Bulb?
Do you use the senswitch or do you put the switch to "ON" so that the meter is always on instead?

albada · May 5, 2017

Perhaps three Minolta X-series cameras have passed through my hands, and all had various problems with their electronics. You mirror-problem sounds like yet another electronics failure. I suggest using an all-mechanical body such as one of the Minolta SRT models.

Mark Overton

dustyman · May 5, 2017

So today, after a night's rest, my XK's mirror returned successfully at all speeds, even down to one second. But then it started to lock up once again. I'm wondering if it is a mechanical problem, whereby the spring that pulls the mirror up looses tension after a little use thereby causing it to flip up slightly slower and out of synch with the closing of the shutter, causing a mixed-signal and remaining in the up position.

It's more highly to lock up when slower speeds are used, but it will occasionally lock up using high speeds as well though.

***Important note: the percentage of mirror lock-ups is greatly reduced when holding the camera upside down and gravity assists the mirror's spring pull up. I am thinking perhaps it has to snap up with a certain force to hit a switch that tells it to go back down. Maybe without the gravity help there is not enough tension in that spring. And maybe, with slower speeds, there is even less a vigorous mirror rise.

Do this sound plausible to anybody?
Is there a way for me to increase the mirror's upward spring action?

Les Sarile · May 5, 2017

dustyman said:
Do this sound plausible to anybody?
Is there a way for me to increase the mirror's upward spring action?

At the X and bulb settings, the XK works without batteries and should not require "resetting" which what threw me off from your response. I am certain that is coincidental and the handling released the mirror. Since the issue is present even in mechanical speeds it sounds like a mechanical problem of the mirror getting hung up.

dustyman · May 5, 2017

Les Sarile said:
At the X and bulb settings, the XK works without batteries and should not require "resetting" which what threw me off from your response. I am certain that is coincidental and the handling released the mirror. Since the issue is present even in mechanical speeds it sounds like a mechanical problem of the mirror getting hung up.

Yes, the issue also occurs using X and B setting as well. Using the camera upside down vastly improves it, as the mirror successfully goes entirely to the up position, then back down. I can then (keeping the camera upside down) continue have successful shutter/mirror cycles. Then, once I upright the camera, I will get the jam as the mirror doesn't make it 100% all the way up. I'm pretty confident this is mechanical and not an electronic issue.

Has anyone been able to increase the mirror spring action tension?

fstop · May 5, 2017

I had one that did that, the mirror damper was gummy and would grab the mirror.

dustyman · May 5, 2017

I'm thinking that a good pro CLA will do the trick. Can anybody recommended somebody with good XK experience?

dustyman · May 5, 2017

dustyman said:
I'm thinking that a good pro CLA will do the trick. Can anybody recommended somebody with good XK experience?

Essex Camera is no longer in business.

Nokton48 · May 5, 2017

I searched for a while for mine. Essex did the overhaul.

dustyman · May 5, 2017

Nokton48 said:
I searched for a while for mine. Essex did the overhaul.

They're closed. Where would you send it to today?

Nokton48 · May 5, 2017

dustyman said:
They're closed. Where would you send it to today?

I got mine back right before they went out of business.
Sorry but I have no idea who else can do XK's

Huss · May 6, 2017

You can give Walter's Camera Repair in Los Angeles a call.

Minolta XK Mirror Locking Up on Slower Speeds

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