Hello all. I've recently purchased a non-working Praktica VLC (first version). Unfortunately the shutter doesn't fire and the advance lever doesn't seem to be connected to anything - it turns and returns to position as it should, but there's no resistance and the shutter doesn't cock. The mirror also seems to be stuck in the up position, although I can get it to stay down if I push the lever in the top-left of the lens slot (looking from the front of the camera). I wonder if anyone has any suggestions about what the issue might be?
I've taken the base plate off and can manually get the shutters to move by pushing the mechanism along using a small screwdriver, but it doesn't stay cocked using this method (possibly because I'm not able to manipulate it through the full motion).
Very grateful for any suggestions!
EDIT: A couple of other potentially useful bits of info...
- The sprocket wheel spins freely - no resistance at all, and nothing else moves.
- Firing the shutter puts the mirror back into the "up" position if I've pushed it down using the trick described above.
I've taken the base plate off and can manually get the shutters to move by pushing the mechanism along using a small screwdriver, but it doesn't stay cocked using this method (possibly because I'm not able to manipulate it through the full motion).
Very grateful for any suggestions!
EDIT: A couple of other potentially useful bits of info...
- The sprocket wheel spins freely - no resistance at all, and nothing else moves.
- Firing the shutter puts the mirror back into the "up" position if I've pushed it down using the trick described above.
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