Sticky Shutter Button on 124G

bvy · Feb 7, 2015

I bought a Yashica Mat 124G recently which appears to be in overall good shape -- except for a few small things. One, the shutter release button occasionally sticks. This happens only on the return, and it seems not to affect the timing of the shot or the shutter speed. Also, the winding crank is impressively loud. It sounds like Wheel of Fortune. I'm comparing this to another one I have which has quiet and smooth winding action. (For what it's worth, this older one has a 109xxxx serial number; the one I just bought: 305xxxx.)

What I'm wondering is if I can lube or otherwise improve the action of either of these parts without taking the camera apart -- or if I have to, with doing so minimally. I know that WD-40 and certain other lubricants are out. I'd appreciate any advice.

trythis · Feb 7, 2015

I would stop winding it until you either send it in or asses the innards for grease and or gear damage. Its just going to do more damage. For the shutter button I would try some dupont liquid teflon dry film lube. Its suspended in heptane and will clean the area around the button and add some dry film. Just use a tiny bit around the button itself hoping its just some dirt.

But really grinding the gears has to be dealt with first.

If the button doesn't work with a tiny bit of lube then it is something inside the lens/shutter mechansim preventing the return spring from working. That requires a tear down.

Ok. Basically it needs a CLA

bvy · Feb 7, 2015

Thanks. The winding action isn't rough or hesitant, just loud. I'm wondering if the design changed over time.

I'll look into the dry lube.

bvy · Feb 8, 2015

Any other thoughts? I'm especially curious to know if the film advance got louder, for some reason, with later models...

trythis · Feb 9, 2015

Mine (124 Non G) sounds about like a 10 speed bike when its run off the ground. Not changing gears, just pedaling. Yours?
I have read that the G is a 124 with more plastic so maybe they made some 124G's with 124 innards till they ran out of parts? Just a guess. Mark Hama is your man if you want it worked on by a guy that knows the camera well. http://www.markhama.com/

bvy · Feb 9, 2015

Thanks. It's hard to describe sounds, but it sounds kind of "ratchety" -- like one of my socket wrenches. It's not sticky or rough or sluggish (again, talking about the film winding). Just louder than my older one.

Both are G's by the way.

Dan Daniel · Feb 11, 2015

I'm not certain if anyone answered your question dealing with the grinding noise without opening the camera. Anyway, you need to open the side. There are a variety of gears and levers, and random lubrication can cause some of the small levers to stop movng freely. It is usually possible to quiet down YashicaMats by applying a light coating of grease to the winding mechanism gears. But this needs to be done carefully and thinking about where grease/oil could migrate over the years without causing problems. It isn't a simple process to open up the side and lube it; not difficult but not simple, if that makes sense.

I'm not familiar with the 124G specifically, but I can say that older YashicaMats were, well, a bit less than precise in construction. There are only a couple of adjustment points for basic operations. I think Yashica's basic philosphy was to assemble the camera, see if it worked, if it didn't throw it in the spare parts box and move on to the next one. Variation in fit of gears and such is to be expected.

Neal · Feb 12, 2015

Dear bvy,

My $0.02. If it's a nice camera otherwise, take it to a shop. Once repaired you will have a nice shooter and will forget about the expense very quickly.

Good luck,

Neal Wydra

TooManyShots · Feb 13, 2015

You need to grease and lube the internal gear. I overhauled my Yashica Mat completely. Now, it is smooth and quiet as "new."

bvy · Feb 13, 2015

Thanks, everyone. I need to decide if I want to try this myself or send it out to someone. I had trouble with some of those tiny tiny screws last time I attempted this.

TooManyShots · Feb 13, 2015

Go to your local Lowes and get a size 0 phillip head screwdriver by Kobalt. Is like $3. Is good enough. I was able to dissemble the entire camera using just one screwdriver. Almost..I needed to use a pretty big flat head screwdriver to remove the film spacing counter. The Yashica Mat is a rather simple camera. I would probably apply some WD40 to the casing screws (use cotton swabs) in order to loosen them first...in case there maybe some corrosion. I found these pictures very helpful. Mine seems to have phillip screws instead. You don't need to remove all the leather. Just enough to gain access to the screws. The focus knob is a bit harder to loosen because you need a hex nut socket. This knob is held by loctite.

http://www.wikihow.com/Disassemble-a-Yashica-Mat-EM-Winding-Mechanism

bvy · Feb 19, 2015

trythis said:
Mine (124 Non G) sounds about like a 10 speed bike when its run off the ground. Not changing gears, just pedaling. Yours?
I have read that the G is a 124 with more plastic so maybe they made some 124G's with 124 innards till they ran out of parts? Just a guess. Mark Hama is your man if you want it worked on by a guy that knows the camera well. http://www.markhama.com/

Thanks. Let's see what Mark says...

TooManyShots · Feb 21, 2015

Why not? Heheheh..... To loosen age old screws. You can even use it internally since the lens and the aperture blades are well shielded and away from the internal of the camera. I have literally removed and dissembled my entire yashica mat, few times, to fix various issues. The focusing rack as well as the winding crank are as smooth as "new." I even spray painted the film chamber to reduce internal reflection and lens flares.

Sticky Shutter Button on 124G

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency