Pentax 67-ii DIY repair question

[mtjade2007]

I have a problem with the film advance mechanism of my Pentax 67-ii. The film advance level gets stuck from time to time but if I try to advance the level repeatedly without forcing it the repeated action will eventually make something inside to reset and it will allow me to advance thew film again.

After many patient observations from trying to recreate the symptom I can conclude that when the film advance level is returning from an advance trip back to its stationary position, it intermittently does not reset something inside that resets the film advance mechanism so that it can be advanced again after firing the shutter. I noticed that if it misses a very slight clicking sound when the advance lever is returning to its resting position then I won't be able to advance the film again after firing the shutter. It will be stuck as if the film has been advanced.

I know it has nothing to do with the shutter because this often happened when loading the film. If I do not hear that slight click sound The level will be stuck and I can not advance the film to frame 1. There is no shutter firing when loading films so this tells that it has nothing to do with the shutter.

I believe if I can crack open from the top of the camera I can looking into the film advance mechanism to look for the source of that click sound. I should be able to locate the source of the click and if not present I should be able to tell why it is not.

Does anyone know how to take the camera apart from the top on the film advance mechanism side? I believe I need to dismantle the advance level first. There is a large black cap on the top of the axle of the advance level. It is probably screwed in. My experience with Pentax Spomatic is that it is a left hand thread meaning you have to turn it clockwise to unscrew. I don't know if this is similar on the P67-ii. I don't want to force it before I know for sure how it should be dealt with. Anyone ever did it on this camera?

Thanks for any suggestions.

 

[John Koehrer]

As you do this try letting the lever snap back in position, it may be enough to free up what ever is sticking.
It is most likely a simple lever that needs lubrication.

If you want to duplicate the failure with the back open,(?) put a toothpick in the counter release. it allow the counter to count. If you look at the groove just below the top cover(back open) it's usually a silver tab. When the back is closed there's a small tab on the back that pushes this inward & allows the counter to work.
I don't remember the camera well enough to tell you how to remove the top but it's not very difficult.

 

[patrickjames]

I used to have a 67 and there is a key to unjam it. I never had to use it so I don't know how it works, but it does exist. It kind of looks like a spanner wrench. That is all I know, but it might be enough to get you on track to finding one.

 

[mtjade2007]

John, I did try to figure out a trick that might prevent it from happening. What I found is when I advance the film and if I pause for a brief moment when the level reaches the end of its trip, instead of let go the level and let it return immediately, there is a better chance I will hear that click and I will be able to shoot than advance to the next frame. I also found that it is more likely to run into the problem when there is film loaded or during loading of the film. If there is no film loaded and if the back is closed I can dry fire the shutter repeatedly without any problems.

I have seen quite a few complaints about this same problem many times on the internet. I believe this is a manufacturing defect that happens to many Pentax 67-II. Something may be worn or needs lubrication inside. If I can dismantle the top of the camera to look into the film advance mechanism it is very possible I will see what is really wrong. Maybe I should write to Pentax USA and ask them if they know about it. My P67-II is only 7 or 8 years old with less than 100 rolls of film shot. It is rediculous for a young camera to break down like this.

Anyway, I am hoping to find a way to take the top apart and do some troubleshooting. I got a feeling that Pentax USA will just say to send it in for a $300 repair or something like that.

Patrick, I think 67-II is different enough that the tool for P67 is likely not applicable to 67-II. I am sure the cap on the top of the advance level (the crank) should be screwed in. So the question is really which way to turn to unscrew it. This camera is designed to allow dismantling without damaging anything I believe. Such MF cameras are expensive and should be designed with serviceability. Anyone has a service manual for 67-II? I am sure the answer is right in there.

 

[John Koehrer]

The pause really makes me think that you're correct & it needs lube. There's a lever that is moving too slowly to engage unless you hold the lever momentarily.
With regard to the direction of the wind lever cap I'd go with standard anti-clockwise. Pentax used left handed screws on a lot of the 35's it seemed arbitrarily. Some had them, some didn't the more recent ones tended to be standard right hand threads.

 

[mtjade2007]

I just sacrificed a 220 roll of film to try the camera again. I held the advance level momentarily at the end of its trip for each frame. All 21 frames were advanced and shutter fired without a single problem. This seems to confirm that it may just need to be lubricated. I still need to unscrew the cap (or button) on the top of the advance level in order to lubricate it. Those caps are very fragile. Turning on the wrong direction can break it easily. I will try to find a definite answer before attempting to unscrew it. Thanks for the great tips.

 

[domaz]

On my Pentax 6x7 (non-II) the winding lever had three tiny screws on the side that allowed you to take off the counter mechanism and disassemble further. I think the P67II has a dedicated wind lever with no film counter on top but still maybe there are tiny scres on the side of it?

 

[mtjade2007]

There is a small flat LCD panel there that shows frame count, film speed etc. It also tells you if you have not advanced to the next frame. There are no screws there. It is obvious that you have to take the top off from the advance level. Then you can remove the level. It is then possible to take the top (the left side or the side your right hand holds the camera) off from the camera. Once the top is off the whole advance mechanism is accessible. It may be not necessary to take the top off. With the level removed you can look down into the advance mechanism. You can lube it from there too.

 

[mtjade2007]

I just shot another roll of 220 negative. I carefully paused momentarily on every advance of the film when the advance level hit the end. This apparently was able to prevent the jam from happening. It did not happen a single time throughout the entire roll. If I make this a habit and do it every time the problem may eventually go away. The camera may not need service. I will see how it goes.