Pentax 6X7 MLU

ori_s · May 18, 2016

Hi guys,
I just got myself a Pentax 6x7 MLU on Ebay.
All is working fine except the mirror lock up which just don't respond to my fingers.
It does not go up. When pressing the shutter it's fine, goes up and down normally.
Any idea for an easy fix?
How important is this function for low speeds?
Thanks
Ori

studiocarter · May 18, 2016

Try a new battery

ori_s · May 18, 2016

studiocarter said:
Try a new battery

Tried with 2 new batteries, not working

jvo · May 18, 2016

i have used mirror lockup on any camera maybe 1x in my life, in my photography just haven't found a need to use it... i find a solid tripod far more valuable.

jvo

studiocarter · May 18, 2016

Pentaxsdotcom will fix look at it for you. He looked over a 165ls that didn't work for me on 8 but found it did work at 4.

Alan9940 · May 18, 2016

I've found through testing and personal experience on my Pentax 67's that any shutter speed less than 1/60 requires MLU for critical sharpness. Even then, the shutter on these cameras is so large that a good solid tripod is also helpful. But, as these things always go...it all depends on your personal definition of critical sharpness, how large you typically print, etc.

DREW WILEY · May 18, 2016

Depends on the focal length of the lens and how solid the tripod support itself is. But I generally don't like shooting anything slower than 1/125th without using lockup. I personally use lock-up for at least 90% of my shots.

ColColt · May 18, 2016

I've found I can hand hold most of the lens I have from 45mm, 55, 75mm and 90mm at 125 up but not the 165. With that one I have to resort to 250th second and up. For 60th second and under it gets the tripod. I have the MLU and fortunately, it does work and I use it. When the World's Fair was here in '82 I shot a lot at night and always used the MLU as most exposures were 1/8th second down to several seconds.

destroya · May 18, 2016

i always use mirror lock up on my pentax 67ii when on a tripod, sometimes even hand held (thats fun!). u need it to keep mirror shake down. if it doesnt work return it ASAP

Poisson Du Jour · May 18, 2016

Try resetting the mirror lock-up using a pointed object inserted into the reset nib on the front of the camera. Press the shutter button and wind on. MLU is part of a refined, learned technique that can be (and should be!) used in all conditions to virtually eliminate mirror/shutter whack. It's not such a good idea to use it hand-held though. Vibration from mirror and shutter travel may not be immediately visible at small sizes (or even on the lightbox), but it certainly will be visible at big enlargements of a metre or so across. Even the slightest evidence of vibration from poor technique will really, really ruin an otherwise good image.

A mirror that repeatedly jams or does not reset indicates a fault which can involve the solenoid, an archaic device that actually powers the mirror's movement (therefore when MLU is in use, get the exposure over and done with soon after activation, especially if you have a near-expired battery). Mirror return and MLU problems are common with all of the Pentax 6x7 (the earliest and oldest version dating from the 1960s) but can also effect the newer (1992->) 67 bodies. Ideally any Pentax 6x7 / 67 camera should be thoroughly tested before purchasing it. Unfortunately this just does not happen in places like eBay where just about anything goes.

ColColt · May 18, 2016

Try resetting the mirror lock-up using a pointed object inserted into the reset nib on the front of the camera.

I had forgotten about that. Back in the early 80's when I got my first MLU at some point it wouldn't work. The reset did the trick.

DREW WILEY · May 18, 2016

I've only had that happen once in 35 years due to a very cold battery in winter. Put in a fresh battery and the mirror unjammed.

ori_s · May 19, 2016

Thanks for the info.
I tried the reset button and there is no change.
I believe that most of my use will be at high speed from hand so it is not a big deal and the price of the camera was really low so i will keep it.
For the lower speeds i will try a tripod and find out the hard way that cheap is expensive or just don't use.
Any way i have a very good feeling with this old lady in hands

Pentax 6X7 MLU

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