Praktica MTL50 jammed film advance?

[Llamarama]

Hello everyone, I have just got a couple of Praktica MTL50s that have been sat for a good few years. Overall they are in excellent condition, however both their film advances are jammed. I've heard that it could be due to the rewind button, but these are both free. Has anyone got any hints on un jamming them? Many thanks, Mike.

 

[iulian]

I had the same problem with a pair of Praktica MTL 5B (model just before yours, only difference is metering by needle in viewfinder instead of +/- LEDs) cameras that were sitting around for a long time before I got them. You most likely have to get it CLAd. And it will most likely cost you more than the camera but it will be good to go for another 2-3 decades.
The cameras are quite good but the lubricants in them are old and they were not top notch to begin with.

What you can try is to get a toothpick or some other non-metal tool and try to wiggle the mirror or the lever that pushes the diaphragm button. Also press the shutter button and try to complete the rewind cycle if (and that's wishful thinking) the only problem is shutter release without a full rewind.

Other things to be mindful about and which would warrant a CLA:
- all shutter speeds sound the same (and it's a short sound)
- long times (1 sec for instance) sound much longer
- the shutter releses by itself after rewind

 

[Llamarama]

Tried having a play with it and the suggested toothpick trick to no avail, then took the top off, decided it's beyond me, and will take it to the professionals tomorrow. Thanks for the quick reply though

 

[iulian]

Tapping it on the table also works sometimes, but if you have a professional close-by it's not an advisable thing to try

 

[Yeeski]

The following link may be of some help:

http://users.skynet.be/morris/praktica/index.htm