What causes this?

[il_cacciatore]

Hi

Nice forum youve got here! I'm a first time poster so might have posted this in the wrong place however I shall continue.

I've got a Minolta X700 which is my first and only 35mm SLR camera that I've had since early 2000's. Its always taken great photos and I hope I have it for many years to come however, recently, I've been getting blank photographs and photographs like the one shown below - half blank - when they've been developed.

Does anyone know what might be causing this? Is it to do with the shutter curtain not functioning? Can this be fixed?

Any comments much appreciated. For info the photo attached is 800 ASA film (I was taking photographs at a icehockey match)

Thanks

il_cacciatore

 

[Konical]

Good Afternoon, Il Cacciatore,

From the thumbnail, it's extremely difficult to tell. Is that a flash shot? If so, it could be that your shutter speed in too high.

Konical

 

[il_cacciatore]

Hi Konical

Thanks for your reply. It wasn't a flash shot. It was taken in program exposure mode. Here is another photograph from the same roll with the same result.

Cheers

il_cacciatore

 

[Morituri]

Probably the shutter curtain, can't imagine anything else really. Open the back and take a bulb shot and see how the shutter behaves.

 

[rjbuzzclick]

If the camera has a horizontally running shutter curtain, then it looks like a problem with the shutter mechanism, like maybe the first curtain isn't opening fully before the second curtain closes. Fire the camera with the back open at different slower speeds and see if you can see what it's doing.

 

[Sirius Glass]

Welcome to APUG.

It looks like you need your shutter cleaned and adjusted. I am sure some APUGger on your side of the Pond can recommend a local repairman.

Steve

 

[Galah]

Hi


Does anyone know what might be causing this? Is it to do with the shutter curtain not functioning? Can this be fixed?
Thanks

il_cacciatore

I have had this problem with other cameras: it is caused by a sticking shutter curtain.

A clean-lube-adjust service will fix it, and it will be as good as new for another 30 years.

(For a service person, google up "camera repairs" or "film camera repairs" in your country)

 

[M.A.Longmore]

.
Welcome To APUG !

Aye Lad It's time to get an SRT-202.

I Love Minolta, but I have 2 dead X-700's.
The XE-7 is my favourite, but the SR's can
be operated without batteries. Recently added
an X-570 to the collection, they also seem to
have a limited life span. eBay always has them in stock.


Ron
.

 

[winger]

I used to use a Minolta X370 and it developed the same problem. I never had mine diagnosed and fixed, however. I just went back to Pentax.

 

[mr rusty]

The X300/370/700s all have a problem where a capacitor (2 in the 700) go bad and cause shutter problems. Admittedly usually the shutter fails to fire completely, but I wonder if a half-bad capacitor could cause release problems?. However, as the camera is hardly worth a professional repair, and the capacitors are cheap http://www.micro-tools.de/mm5/merch...g&Product_Code=9531-1575-61&Category_Code=PAR (this is a pack of 10) if you have a soldering iron I would be tempted to see if this sorts the problem. Nothing ventured. more here http://www.twid.de/x700/

 

[il_cacciatore]

Thanks for all the replies people. I have a film in it just now but when thats finished I'll dry firing it with the back open to see what the curtain is doing like some suggested. I'll probably have it fixed though if I can find a camera repair man close by cause I don't want to change it.

 

[M.A.Longmore]

.
It is a very nice camera, but it always
good to have an SRT as a back up.
I never leave home without an SR, or SRT.
Better to have it, and not want it.
Than to want it, and not have it.

It's almost 2011 !!!
Everyone should have two 35mm SLR's.

I'm Just Saying ...


Ron
.

 

[Mark Antony]

Like others have said its the shutter. Repair may prove expensive if you want to keep using a X700 there's one for sale for £79 at Ffordes in Beauly.

Mark

 

[wblynch]

.

It's almost 2011 !!!
Everyone should have two 35mm SLR's.

Or EIGHT !! -- but who's countin' ??

 

[dehk]

Alternatively, keep exercising the shutter maybe it will work itself out.

 

[guitstik]

.
It is a very nice camera, but it always
good to have an SRT as a back up.
I never leave home without an SR, or SRT.
Better to have it, and not want it.
Than to want it, and not have it.

It's almost 2011 !!!
Everyone should have two 35mm SLR's.

I'm Just Saying ...
Ron
.

Why limit yourself to just two, unless you are referring to "dozen".

Over here you could have it repaired for 45USD.

 

[njkphoto]

I had a student with the same problem and it was the shutter so test the shutter if it opens at various settings

 

[McFortner]

Could it be the shutter capacitor going bad? I had an X-370 that did that and I replaced the capacitor. Check out http://forums.photographyreview.com/showthread.php?p=89152 for some more info.

Michael