Pentax 67II Lens Stuck On

braxus · May 18, 2025

So I got back my Pentax 67II camera from the store I sold it to 3 years ago. I originally had this camera since 2012. Anyway I have to rebuild my collection of lenses since I sold them all over a year ago. Anyway I managed to purchase 2 lenses so far (cheapest of the picks). I put on my 135mm macro for the 67 and went out shooting. When I got home, I tried taking the lens off the body. For some reason the release lever is not going inwards, which allows the pin to release the lens. I contacted the store I got it from a couple days ago, and she was wondering if maybe the lens is the issue? All I know is I can't get the lens off. The lever refuses to move, as it seems stuck in its position. Is this a common issue with these 67 cameras, as this is the first time (of owning 3 of these cameras) I had to deal with this issue. The store said no one noticed this issue on my camera beforehand.

Alan9940 · May 18, 2025

braxus said:
Is this a common issue with these 67 cameras, as this is the first time (of owning 3 of these cameras) I had to deal with this issue.

Not that this is any help to you, but I've owned and used Pentax 67 gear for 30 years--67 II now and the version just prior to the II before that--and changed many lenses many times and I've never had one get stuck or had the lens release fail. I will say that a few of my lenses are quite "tight" to twist on the mount and, perhaps, require more oomph than I'm honestly comfortable with, but after all these years it all still works as expected.

I hope someone jumps into this thread that can help, but maybe you should consider a trip to a repair guy? I certainly wouldn't try to force it.

mshchem · May 18, 2025

Is the lens FULLY ON? Could be why the lever is not moving?

braxus · May 18, 2025

The lens is fully on yes. When I press the lever, and try to twist the lens in either direction, it moves by a mm in either direction and I can hear the pin click in place when it fully seats again. But the lever wont go back far enough to actually release the lens. There should be no reason why the lever wont go back more.

GregY · May 18, 2025

braxus said:
The lens is fully on yes. When I press the lever, and try to twist the lens in either direction, it moves by a mm in either direction and I can hear the pin click in place when it fully seats again. But the lever wont go back far enough to actually release the lens. There should be no reason why the lever wont go back more.

Sounds like an issue that could be resolved by a CLA.... Frustrating as it is, all you need is a little piece of grit in the mechanism and it won't release. Best of luck getting it fixed.

braxus · May 18, 2025

GregY said:
Sounds like an issue that could be resolved by a CLA.... Frustrating as it is, all you need is a little piece of grit in the mechanism and it won't release. Best of luck getting it fixed.

Its had two CLAs since 2022. One 3 years ago and a second one late last year. But that was for shutter issues. I dont think the pin was worked on for those.

ChuckP · May 20, 2025

Does everything else on the camera still work properly? Can you wind it and operate the shutter OK with the lens attached? Things look normal with the back open?

OAPOli · May 20, 2025

I believe you can get access to the lens release pin mechanism by removing the side and bottom plates. For the 67 or 6x7 at least but the 67II should be the same?

Edit: check the first 45s of this video. It shows how the panels are removed.

braxus · May 21, 2025

ChuckP said:
Does everything else on the camera still work properly? Can you wind it and operate the shutter OK with the lens attached? Things look normal with the back open?

Yes. The shutter even works this time, as before it had shutter drag issues intermittently. The store thinks the lens could be at fault, but I can't see how, since all it is is a hole in the lens where the pin goes.

Taylor Nankervis · May 21, 2025

@braxus

Reset the camera.

1. Using a toothpick, insert that into the recessed hole left of mirror box.
2. Press once, and once only.
3. Fire the shutter; and
4. Wind-on.

Mechanical interfaces (shutter, mirror, lens coupling) are effectively reset through this, and the mirror magnet is de-energised. This reset will sacrifice one frame of film, if film is loaded. If no film is loaded, the reset bypasses the no-film/no-fire mechanism in the winding mechanism.

Then see if the lens frees up.

I would not force a lens that is inexplicably jammed even after a reset, nor would I follow YouTube "how-to" videos.
It's a service facility job.

braxus · May 21, 2025

Its off. I dont know how this happened or what caused it to work this time. I did try taking off the viewfinder for packing, but end up leaving it on after trying to remove it. Maybe banging around on the shelf or holding it by the lens this last time, managed to dislodge the pin. I noticed when I tried it again, the lever decided it would go down completely and I was then able to take off the lens. So moved the lever back and forth to exercise it and get it moving, and then I put the lens back on. It would again come off fine. Tried this again and again its ok. So whatever caused this issue initially seems better now. I did notice the lever didnt always 100 percent go completely down, but in those moments, the pin went down enough that removing the lens should be ok. So I put the caps back on and put the camera and lens back on its shelf. This saved me a couple hundred dollars in shipping costs, plus time without it. Im relieved, though it would have been nice to know why this happened in the first place.

loccdor · May 21, 2025

Glad you got it off. That's the kind of thing that would give me pause about using that particular camera on a trip.

Grit somewhere inside, weak spring? Maybe a drop of lubricant would help the pin.

OAPOli · May 21, 2025

I would still have it checked. Maybe there is a piece of debris in there that could find its way back in the mechanism.

Sirius Glass · May 21, 2025

Never force anything/
Always check the camera and lens manuals and instruction.
Take it to a local camera shop if one still exists in your area.
If necessary ship of KEH.com, if you are in the US or other camera repair facility.

Dennis-B · May 21, 2025

OAPOli said:
I would still have it checked. Maybe there is a piece of debris in there that could find its way back in the mechanism.

Agree entirely. Remember the axiom - What goes away by itself, comes back by itself.

braxus · May 24, 2025

After I managed to get the lens off initially, its been fine since. I put some sewing machine oil in the pin and just behind it where the spring is. Worked it up and down to get the oil in there, and its been fine since. I think it just needed a little lube to keep it from freezing up while using the lever. I shot with the camera again today and no issues. I dont feel it needs to be looked at at this time. My tech at Advance Camera said he's never heard of a spring/lever issue with these cameras. I was the first one to mention it. For some reason it got jammed initially, but its been fine since.

mshchem · May 25, 2025

braxus said:
After I managed to get the lens off initially, its been fine since. I put some sewing machine oil in the pin and just behind it where the spring is. Worked it up and down to get the oil in there, and its been fine since. I think it just needed a little lube to keep it from freezing up while using the lever. I shot with the camera again today and no issues. I dont feel it needs to be looked at at this time. My tech at Advance Camera said he's never heard of a spring/lever issue with these cameras. I was the first one to mention it. For some reason it got jammed initially, but its been fine since.

Good job! A tiny bit of oil sure can't hurt. It's amazing what just the tiniest bit of lubrication can make.

Pentax 67II Lens Stuck On

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