Praktika LTL3 stop down metering key not working

[gergo7633]

Dear forum members,

I've purchased a Praktica LTL3, mostly fine considering the age.

Light seals, battery compartment corrosion, etc. Still waiting for the battery to test the light meter. Fingers crossed.

My real problem is with the metering key's mechanics.

When I engage the shutter, it presses the pin on the objective during the exposure and closes the aperture to the desired value as expected. So it works just fine.

However, when I press the stop down metering key in A mode (full aperture composing) the plate doesn't push the objective's pin all the way in, only around halfway. So the aperture doesn't close properly. Only to about f/5.6, despite setting to anything above 5.6 or even f/22. So the depressed metering key can't move the aperture lever properly.

Any advice what should I check, or how to repair it?

Is it a common failure?

Any advice would be highly appreciated.

Regards,

Gergő

 

[chuck3565]

It isn't a common failure. In fact I have never seen this issue. If the push plate doesn't come all the way forward when the meter key is pushed, the stop down lever end is probably bent. I'd bend it back so the plate travels all the way forward.

 

[gergo7633]

Thank you for the suggestion. I'll have it checked. Unfortunately the film propagating plastic tube (winding sprocket) is also damaged, which is a common failure and needs to be replaced, so I have to send it to a service. I thought that something was just bent and I can easily fix it, but the socket replacement would probably be too much for me.

 

[chuck3565]

Me too. I used to repair Praktica L cameras but replacing the sprocket was something I wouldn't attempt.

 

[gergo7633]

Now I'm definitely glad that I haven't even tried.