Praktica mtl3 shoots when advanced

[Miroslav Mezera]

Hey ya all,
I just got my hands on an old Praktica mtl3 which was "catching dust" for many years in cupboard, but now I'd like to try to shoot it. Everything looks good, shutter speeds, advancing film, aperture, the mirror, but I have one issue. Sometimes, and it is completely random, the camera shoots when I pull the advance lever all the way to the front, even without pressing the shutter release. Does anyone know what the problem can be?

Thank you all for your help in advance

 

[monopix]

The latch that holds it in the cocked condition is not holding but I can't be more specific as I have no experience of the camera. You might try this thread which deals with L series issues.
https://www.photrio.com/forum/threads/praktica-l-serie-repair-thread.141505/

 

[chuck3565]

Hey ya all,
I just got my hands on an old Praktica mtl3 which was "catching dust" for many years in cupboard, but now I'd like to try to shoot it. Everything looks good, shutter speeds, advancing film, aperture, the mirror, but I have one issue. Sometimes, and it is completely random, the camera shoots when I pull the advance lever all the way to the front, even without pressing the shutter release. Does anyone know what the problem can be?

Thank you all for your help in advance

If the mirror comes down when the shutter fires, there is an adjustment under the top cover to shorten the strap that cocks the shutter. It is a bright silver flat head screw top. Loosen the screw and adjust for a shorter throw. and tighten. If this doesn't work, the strap can be bent.

 

[vicmortelmans]

Hi,

Similar situation here. A Praktica MTL3 that's been shelved for an odd 20 years. I don't think it has a real double-exposure problem, but something similar. It cycles correctly between advancing and exposing film, but I've taken a couple of shots using flash and the flash fires when triggering the exposure, but it fires again when advancing the film! It's the first roll, so I can't tell what's happening to the pictures. The extra flash burst is only a problem for my batteries and for the people around, so I expect the pictures to be OK. There must be something fuzzy going on with the mechanical synchronization...

Question is now: what is the risk, if I open the camera, that I'll be causing more trouble than the problem I want to resolve... (note to self: it won't be the first time this is happening to you!!).

Best regards,
Vic

 

[Sirius Glass]

Hey ya all,
I just got my hands on an old Praktica mtl3 which was "catching dust" for many years in cupboard, but now I'd like to try to shoot it. Everything looks good, shutter speeds, advancing film, aperture, the mirror, but I have one issue. Sometimes, and it is completely random, the camera shoots when I pull the advance lever all the way to the front, even without pressing the shutter release. Does anyone know what the problem can be?

Thank you all for your help in advance

Welcome to APUG Photrio!! & Post more often​

 

[chuck3565]

There is a silver flat headed screw under the shutter speed assembly which is accessed by removing the top cover. It needs to be loosened and pulled away from the shutter curtains and then tightened. Fire the shutter to see if it is in the correct position and not over tightened. If you aren't comfortable disassembling the camera, there is a chance of wiping the shutter curtains with lighter fluid on both sides, cocked and uncocked might repair the problem.

 

[t-homie]

Hey ya all,
I just got my hands on an old Praktica mtl3 which was "catching dust" for many years in cupboard, but now I'd like to try to shoot it. Everything looks good, shutter speeds, advancing film, aperture, the mirror, but I have one issue. Sometimes, and it is completely random, the camera shoots when I pull the advance lever all the way to the front, even without pressing the shutter release. Does anyone know what the problem can be?

Thank you all for your help in advance

Hi,

this might me way too late but i have the EXCACT same problem and do not know how to fix this. Is this problem resolved?

 

[kl122002]

Hi,

this might me way too late but i have the EXCACT same problem and do not know how to fix this. Is this problem resolved?

You may want to check my topic here for the causes or idea .

Repair notes for Praktica L-series cameras

Intro: Praktica L-series cameras has a long run history, from 1960s til the fall of the Berlin wall. What makes it truly unique is not just its history background, but also the design inside. Because of export regulations and marketing strategy, there could be many names on the same models...

www.photrio.com

"Snapping shutter" during tensioning shutter is common in MTL3 model from my experience , while earlier or later models seems less happen .
I have no idea why it only happen on MTL3 , or rebranded from MTL3 especially this particular model.

 

[t-homie]

You may want to check my topic here for the causes or idea .

Repair notes for Praktica L-series cameras

Intro: Praktica L-series cameras has a long run history, from 1960s til the fall of the Berlin wall. What makes it truly unique is not just its history background, but also the design inside. Because of export regulations and marketing strategy, there could be many names on the same models...

www.photrio.com

"Snapping shutter" during tensioning shutter is common in MTL3 model from my experience , while earlier or later models seems less happen .
I have no idea why it only happen on MTL3 , or rebranded from MTL3 especially this particular model.

will check it out, thank you!!