Pentax 67II - reset frame counter at half roll

[gabri.guido]

Hello!
I've decided to buy a used 67II.
I was searching into the european market and I've found a really good deal: 600€ for camera and lens (105/2.4 plus hood).

The selles stated that there is a problem: he can start the roll and take some pictures, but as soon as he makes a little pressure on the film back, the frame counter reset, meaning that he have to change roll. The problem is not related to the film advance lever.

I really would love to know if someone of you have encounter the same issue or heard a solution about this.
On the web I've found someone who said that it was due to the pressure on the electric part in the back (the two little metal parts behind the 120/220 plate which go to the hinge), and a little traction can solve the problem.
Unfortunately, the guy who wrote this didn't replied to other users' questions, so for me is not so good to have just this opinion.

Thank you!
Gabriele

 

[cluttered]

For what it's worth, my 67ii has the same issue. As long as I'm careful how I handle the camera it's normally ok, just make sure not to put too much pressure on the back of the camera. If the problem does occur, you don't necessarily need to change roll. The camera has reset its idea of the current frame number and you need to wind on a few frames so that thinks you're at frame 1 before it lets you fire again.

Even with that fault, it's still a great camera. I'd love to find a permanent fix though!

 

[Poisson Du Jour]

Do either of you have the film setting set to 220 rather than 120?
The back on the 67II (but not the older 6x7 / 67 bodies) has an auto-reset contact. This is to ensure that when the back is closed the frame counter resets to zero (most cameras will reset to zero the moment the back cover is released, but some do not). If it continues to reset by e.g. applying pressure to the back cover, a fault is evident.

 

[cluttered]

Do either of you have the film setting set to 220 rather than 120?

Not me. Well, I can't verify it right now, but I'm certain that the last few times I looked it was set to 120. I'll double-check tonight however.

If it continues to reset by e.g. applying pressure to the back cover, a fault is evident.

That's been my understanding for a while. And from what I've heard/read, it's a fairly common fault in the 67ii. But I still love the camera regardless

 

[gabri.guido]

Unfortunately I don't have the camera.
This is the problem provided by the seller of a 67II I've found in a market; before buy, I asked here to know if it is worthed to buy the camera anyway or not. What do you think?

P.S. from the picture of the auction, he's selling some 220 films, so I think he was shooting 220 instead 120.

 

[Poisson Du Jour]

Skip the camera until the actual fault, if any (through a comprehensive service examination paid for by the Seller, not you) has been identified.
Don't pay cash for other people's problems.

 

[keechoon]

Hi, my 67II is having the same problem as described too. It was not indicated by the seller so I only found out about this after some time. I have enquired through JCH on the cost of sending the camera to Pentax Japan for a look but it is about USD$400 for the round trip at least. I'm using it with care as what cluttered and it is a rather common fault among 67IIs. I have tried the suggestions on the web but the fault still occurs when I am not careful. My views are similar with Poisson's, not worth paying for the fault unless you have a tech who can repair this or you are looking at sending it all the way to the manufacturer for servicing.

 

[gabri.guido]

Thank you for your advices! Yes, I definitely won't buy the camera, because it seems to be no way to solve this problem by myself.
But I'm so disappointed that there is no solution on the web. I will try to go to a old camera shop near here in order to ask them and just see how it is made (because I've never seen the inside of the film compartment).
Or maybe, may I ask you if you can post here pics of that part? (as you can see, I don't give up that easily )

Thanks again!