RB67 Jammed, unable to remove lens

ChrisHowell · Jan 2, 2009

Hello,

RB with the mirror stuck up, advance lever unable to complete stroke, shutter will not fire, lens release ring will not turn to completion.

Fully Jammed Up.

I've done a search and sent an email to someone who seemed to have a similar problem.

Anyone have any thoughts or advice? Either would be greatly appreciated.

Katier · Jan 2, 2009

Sounds similar to a problem I had with a Pentax Me Super. In my case it seems the Mirror had probably got stuck to a perished seal and wouldn't return. I'm not familiar with the RB however it could be similar issue. As you can't remove the lense it's tricky to confirm but one thing you COULD try is to gently tap it on a table and see if that frees the mirror (do this at your OWN risk) or maybe leave it overnight at room temp and see if it comes down on it's own accord (cold temps apparantly can increase the stickiness off persished seals).

Photo Engineer · Jan 2, 2009

Mine did the same. I had to send it out for repairs. IDK what it was. They never told me, just billed me!

PE

epatsellis · Jan 2, 2009

You can dismount the lens without damage easily, peel back the pleather on the upper right corner of the front, when looking at the camera head on, there will be a little hole, insert a paperclip to depress the latch and the ring will turn, allowing you to remove the lens.

ChrisHowell · Jan 2, 2009

I have peeled back the pleather, found the hole and inserted the paperclip. I have not been able to find the mechanism inside the hole to release the ring.

Any further instructions?

Thanks.

Ross Chambers · Jan 3, 2009

As a result my cackhanded abilities I forced (DON'T!) the mechanism, broke the mirror, ended up paying a tech to save the 90mm lens (which was not a very good one, I use it very rarely and cautiously, wondering whether it was the root cause of the jam).

The silver lining was that the jammed body was pretty aged, and that an "excellent" replacement from KEH was just that, and quite inexpensive. I feel assured of many years of reliability.

The caveat is that KEH's descriptions are accurate: a body doesn't include ground glass, viewfinder (waist level or otherwise) and certainly not a back, so I needed to take those from the old body.

I can now relate to the anecdote of the axe with only 5 new handles and 2 new blades; the guy who sold me the original kit would be hard placed to recognise all the added and replaced bits and pieces.

Good Luck - Ross

paul ron · Jan 4, 2009

This problems is very common. The lens was put on without cocking the body n lens first. To unlock it you'll have to do the paper clip trick described earlier. DON'T FORCE ANYTHING! You'll do more damage to your camera if you do.

I've uploaded a picture of the clip so you can see exactly how it works sicne you are doing it blind n not familiar with the mechanism.

ChrisHowell · Jan 5, 2009

Hell yes. The diagram helped immensely, especially knowing how to curve the paperclip.

Thank you very, very much. The lens has now been removed.

Unfortunately, the mirror is still stuck up - bleh.

Any ideas on that one? I still have the magic paperclip...

Travis Nunn · Jan 5, 2009

Well, RB67 bodies are going pretty cheap at KEH. If it will cost too much to fix you could always get a replacement.

ChrisHowell · Jan 5, 2009

Never mind it just released.

Finally.

Thanks to all who helped me out.

Good Shooting!

ChrisHowell · Jan 5, 2009

What I need to do now is seal up all of these leaky backs.

Travis Nunn · Jan 5, 2009

I would go with a light seal kit from John Goodman.
http://tinyurl.com/8xy9s2

ChrisHowell · Jan 5, 2009

Thanks a bunch.

Looks like a good kit.

Thanks for everyone's help - great forum.

TimVance · Jan 10, 2009

Ok I found the hole on my body, but how can I reach the clip? This is very hard!

What does it feel like when you push it down?

McRoo · Jan 10, 2009

Hey TimVance, I have the same problem.. I just can not seem to get my paperclip in the correct position to press the mechanism..

paul ron · Jan 10, 2009

Take another look at the pic? As you turn the lens locking jam ring, press down on hte paper clip n the ring will pass the locking lever. Then it's a careful wiggle game to get the lens off.

It has a slight springy feel to it but doesn't stay down when pressed, it only allows you to pass stop in the lens lockring ring.... it's not a switch.

RB67 Jammed, unable to remove lens

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