Just got a "new" used F3 body (with DE-2) for parts. When it arrived it was in much better condition than I thought it would be, so I decided to attempt to repair it. The shutter would not fire, the mirror would stick in the up position when manually fired using the mechanical release lever (so the shutter was working), and the film counter mechanism was stuck on frame 24. I have repaired a few of these cameras before so felt comfortable working on this one. I removed the entire advance side top, including the shutter release button/advance arm mechanism, speed selector dial, etc. I got down to the magnetic shutter release (see photo) and it was extremely dirty. After cleaning that and un-jamming/lubing the frame counter pin I replaced the advance/shutter release button mechanism and voila, the shutter now fires and the frame counter is working again!
BUT . . . . the mirror still stays in the "up" position after each shutter release. I have already replaced the mirror bumper foam, so that is NOT the problem. I have also confirmed that the mirror lock-up control is not partially set to the "up" position. It has been cycled several times and is definitely not the issue. I can get the mirror to drop if I move the mirror arm inside the mirror box upward. It will also drop if I start to advance the film by moving the advance lever maybe 1/8". I hear a distinct click and the mirror drops down. Seems to me that a cycle has not been completed--some pin or lever is still blocking the mirror from releasing to the "rest" position. The curtains are opening and closing fine, it just seems to be a mirror return issue. I have never encountered this issue before so anyone out there with ideas would be appreciated. The camera is still dis-assembled and waiting for the answer. Thanks so much! Matt
BUT . . . . the mirror still stays in the "up" position after each shutter release. I have already replaced the mirror bumper foam, so that is NOT the problem. I have also confirmed that the mirror lock-up control is not partially set to the "up" position. It has been cycled several times and is definitely not the issue. I can get the mirror to drop if I move the mirror arm inside the mirror box upward. It will also drop if I start to advance the film by moving the advance lever maybe 1/8". I hear a distinct click and the mirror drops down. Seems to me that a cycle has not been completed--some pin or lever is still blocking the mirror from releasing to the "rest" position. The curtains are opening and closing fine, it just seems to be a mirror return issue. I have never encountered this issue before so anyone out there with ideas would be appreciated. The camera is still dis-assembled and waiting for the answer. Thanks so much! Matt