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Message |
    
Waynemel
Tinkerer
Username: Waynemel
Post Number: 444
Registered: 08-2009
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, May 10, 2013 - 06:51 pm: | 
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I can't seem to get this camera to work. I have fresh batteries, the indicator lights and flash ready lights work. The film advance works (with and without film loaded). When I press the shutter release it makes noise, but the shutter does not fire (neither does the flash). I have put a couple of drops of naphta on the blades, but they still don't move.
Am I missing something? |
Br1078lum
Tinkerer
Username: Br1078lum
Post Number: 547
Registered: 11-2010
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, May 10, 2013 - 08:06 pm: |
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This is the one with the fold-over flash unit? Does it need to have film in it to operate? I've got a couple of P&S's that won't do much unless you load them first. That's why I keep old rolls of film around that I find in cameras.
PF |
Waynemel
Tinkerer
Username: Waynemel
Post Number: 445
Registered: 08-2009
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, May 10, 2013 - 08:09 pm: |
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Yes, it is the one with the fold over flash.
I'v tried it with an old roll of film, and it still doesn't work. |
Br1078lum
Tinkerer
Username: Br1078lum
Post Number: 548
Registered: 11-2010
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, May 12, 2013 - 07:11 pm: |
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Next thing is to open it up, and clean all the contacts inside. Most everything works on slider type switches in P&S cameras, so therin may be your problem.
PF |
Waynemel
Tinkerer
Username: Waynemel
Post Number: 449
Registered: 08-2009
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, May 14, 2013 - 10:36 am: |
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I've opened it up and found the culprit. A small plastic part has a hook for a spring that is broken.
You can see it in the following pictures.
The hook is in the centre. I have tried to repair it with gorilla glue, but it isn't strong enough.
The spring looks like it is supposed to hold the larger plastic part (with the large lobe) in the upward position (as it is in the photos). When the film is advanced, the lobe is pushed down and locked into place, and the shutter is ready to fire. Of course, without the spring, the lobe stays in the lower position and thus the shutter doesn't open.
Now, I guess I will have to try to find a replacement part, but this camera isrelatively rare (in North America anyway). I believe the Optima 535 shares the same shutter though.
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Br1078lum
Tinkerer
Username: Br1078lum
Post Number: 552
Registered: 11-2010
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, May 14, 2013 - 07:22 pm: |
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The 535 would be easier to find, but then by that time you may have forgotten about this one, Wayne. Epoxy is usually the best for putting broken plastic parts back together with holding power.
I thought about collecting the Optima Sensor line at one time, but usually only found junk ones, so I gave up. Good luck with fixing this one.
PF |
Waynemel
Tinkerer
Username: Waynemel
Post Number: 452
Registered: 08-2009
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, May 16, 2013 - 07:00 pm: |
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I have repaired the broken piece and the shutter and aperture blades are opening in closing. The flash is also working. However, the shutter speeds seem to be constant. How can I test the electromagnet to see if it is working correctly? Any other reasons why the shutter speed is not changing with various light conditions? |
