| Author |
Message |
    
Johnlees45
Tinkerer
Username: Johnlees45
Post Number: 28
Registered: 07-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, April 10, 2007 - 01:14 pm: | 
|
This is revamp of a thread I have already had on this forum. This Praktica BC-1 is now over-exposing all the time by about two stops at least. Does anyone know what could be the cause of this? (Also three "takes" in the last reel of film (processed today) are just blank.) I would love to get this camera working properly. Is there anyone near me (Postcode GL51, Gloucestershire) who could repair it? Cheers, all. |
Rick_oleson
Tinkerer
Username: Rick_oleson
Post Number: 223
Registered: 07-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, April 10, 2007 - 07:44 pm: |
|
I don't have any particular Praktica insights - but a very common cause of overexposure in older SLRs is the aperture blades failing to close down before the shutter opens. The amount of overexposure is the number of stops between wide open and the selected aperture for any given shot. Try stopping your lens down and see if it is operating normally. If this is the problem, it's a matter of cleaning oil out of the mechanism, a routine service call. |
Robertofollia
Tinkerer
Username: Robertofollia
Post Number: 1
Registered: 04-2007
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, April 11, 2007 - 10:00 am: |
|
How is your battery?Prakticas like ne and fresh batteries. The BC1 (different to the BX20 and BMS) uses a hybrid shutter, I mean, the flash speed (about 1/90s) is rely mechanical and does not rely on batteries.
So if your batteries die the shutter will be triggered but the blades won't open. Do the leds turn off when taking the picture? Do the leds tur off when you use the exposure lock? If so, your 6v battery is nearly dead
My old BX20 used to do that. Try a set of fresh batteries and do a test with the back open (so you'll be able to see-through the shutter if it fires correctly)
If does not, go to
www.praktica.de
Then go to support and you'll see the contact address and models supported. Yours still is. |
Johnlees45
Tinkerer
Username: Johnlees45
Post Number: 29
Registered: 07-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, April 12, 2007 - 02:46 pm: |
|
Thanks both. I have gone round in circles with this camera. New batteries make no difference and trying different stops with the back open seems to show that everything mechanical is working properly. I am inclining towards an electronic fault but have already spent large amounts of money trying to get this sorted but with no result.The circuit board was (allegedly) replaced by a spare one by a reputable repairer who spent so long trying to find a fault that he refuses to spend any more time on it.
Thus I ask again, is there anyone near me (Gloucestershire) who would like a challenge?
Cheers, all ! |
Johnlees45
Tinkerer
Username: Johnlees45
Post Number: 30
Registered: 07-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, April 13, 2007 - 02:51 pm: |
|
Update! I contacted Praktica in Germany and they directed me to their official repairer in England. Will post result here. |
Robertofollia
Tinkerer
Username: Robertofollia
Post Number: 5
Registered: 04-2007
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, April 13, 2007 - 04:45 pm: |
|
Good luck! |
Johnlees45
Tinkerer
Username: Johnlees45
Post Number: 31
Registered: 07-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, April 23, 2007 - 02:30 pm: |
|
This camera has gone off for repair to the official UK Praktica repairers in Stevenage. I will report the results of my investment here when I get it back and have tried it out.
Fingers crossed ! |
Johnlees45
Tinkerer
Username: Johnlees45
Post Number: 39
Registered: 07-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, May 20, 2007 - 02:31 pm: |
|
I have got the camera back from the repairer with the comments "Repaired shutter loading and control circuits. Cleaned lens iris. Cleaned and overhauled as necessary."
I have been using it and will post the results here when I get the slides back. |
Johnlees45
Tinkerer
Username: Johnlees45
Post Number: 40
Registered: 07-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, June 05, 2007 - 02:57 pm: |
|
The slides should be back in a day or two ! |
Johnlees45
Tinkerer
Username: Johnlees45
Post Number: 41
Registered: 07-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, June 20, 2007 - 01:41 pm: |
|
Well, the slides weren't back in a day or two - they went missing in the post! Would you believe it !! However they turned up eventually and they are fine. The camera is obviously repaired and working well now and I am very pleased with the results. |
York_praktica_fan
Tinkerer
Username: York_praktica_fan
Post Number: 15
Registered: 07-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, June 21, 2007 - 02:41 am: |
|
John
Glad to hear of your positive experience.
how did you find the service given by the Stevanage repairers?
What were their prices like?
I'm a long time Praktica user but the M series rather than the Bs
regards
Stephen |
Johnlees45
Tinkerer
Username: Johnlees45
Post Number: 42
Registered: 07-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, June 21, 2007 - 07:38 am: |
|
Hi, Stephen. I found their service to be excellent. It started with a phone call to them (01438 310111) and I spoke (two or three times) to a chap called John. He was very friendly, had time to talk to me and seemed interested in my problem. They have a fixed-rate service charge (whatever the problem) which was £45 plus postage plus VAT, so the total was £59.92. This includes parts and labour. Not cheap, but they are the official UK Praktica repairers.
I would certainly recommend them to you.
Cheers, John. |
Johnlees45
Tinkerer
Username: Johnlees45
Post Number: 53
Registered: 07-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, August 06, 2007 - 02:46 pm: |
|
Just as an addendum, this camera continues to work well and I can highly recommend the Stevenage repairers. I keep my fingers crossed! |
Robertofollia
Tinkerer
Username: Robertofollia
Post Number: 12
Registered: 04-2007
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, August 13, 2007 - 03:48 pm: |
|
Thanks for your input John. Will send my Prakticas there should they need servicing
Regards,
Robert |
Johnlees45
Tinkerer
Username: Johnlees45
Post Number: 57
Registered: 07-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, August 14, 2007 - 01:36 pm: |
|
Just as an addendum, I have also now had a telephoto Prakticar lens repaired by them. Another grand job done. That was £25 + postage + VAT. I got it back in less than a week. |
