Pentax super A shutter problem

Lumipan

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It looks like the shutter is bad on my Pentax super A. I removed the the film and inspected it. All looks to be in order. But obviously it's not...
How do I proceed? What may be causing this?
I have nothing to lose by trying to repair...

Thanks
 

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Lumipan

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Jan 4, 2023
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Croatia
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I read somewhere, that the 2 shutter curtains when out of sync do this. And that it can be addressed by repeatedly firing the shutter, 100 or more times. And then if you're lucky it can 'repair' itself.
I did that, but I see no way to check the function apart from shooting film and developing... Which is time (and film) consuming Maybe shoot a few images, open the camera in the dark, cutting film with scissors and developing just 2-3 images.
If anyone had similar problems I'd appreciate any help...
Thanks
 

OAPOli

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The shutter is capping, where the closing curtain catches with the opening curtain. I don't think that exercising the shutter will help.

This is not an easy repair. The camera needs to be disassembled and you need a shutter tester.
 
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Lumipan

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Croatia
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OAPOli said:
The shutter is capping, where the closing curtain catches with the opening curtain. I don't think that exercising the shutter will help.

This is not an easy repair. The camera needs to be disassembled and you need a shutter tester.
Click to expand...

It seems I'm better off selling this one for parts to someone and waiting for an another Pentax, I love the lens. In the meantime I'll just use my Olympus...

Even if it does work again after exercising it doesn't mean it won't act up again at the best moment
 
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Lumipan

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I just found a bit of some gunk on the front curtain. Cleaned it with isopropyl. Maybe that was the culprit... I'll give it an another chance
 

Chan Tran

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The shutter capping you need to check the shutter curtain travel time and adjust the curtain speed either speed up the first curtain or slow down the second curtain depending on what you find.
 

loccdor

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I inherited a camera from a relative that was shutter capping like this. Generally speaking, and unfortunately, you can buy another one of these cameras in working condition for less than it costs to fix the problem by having it repaired by a professional. Not to say you shouldn't go for a repair.

This problem frequently occurs with cameras unused for a long time.
 
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Lumipan

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Jan 4, 2023
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Croatia
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Yes. I paid 15€ for this one a few years ago.
Too time consuming to DIY with uncertain result.
Too expensive to pay someone do it.

I'll try a few images. Maybe it was the gunk I cleaned yesterday
 
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