I need help with my Zenit camera

[Typhon]

Ok, I have a Zenit TTL camera. I'm not an expert in cameras, but it seems to me like the mirror that flips down infront of the lens doesen't go up and down like it should. It looks like a small clip/spring is out of place there. Does anyone know anywhere where I could get this problem fixed, in Nottingham? I've heard that it shouldn't be too hard to do.

Any help would be appreciated. :)

[Typhon]

From what I understand it's down when you are looking through the viewfinder and goes up so you can take the photo.

Edit: The post I replied to disappeared

>> Edited by Typhon on Wednesday 24th August 15:52

>> Edited by Typhon on Wednesday 24th August 15:52

[FunkyNige]

From what I can gather from your post, the same thing happened to Dad's camera - there is a bit of rubber on the edge of the mirror that enables it hit the stop without damage. This came off on Dad's and the glue that was holding the rubber on stuck the mirror to the stop it is supposed to bounce off. He took it to the nearest local camera shop and they fixed it by glueing on a new bit of rubber to the mirror.

Dad's still took pictures OK whilst this was happening.

[EmmaP]

Abbey Photographic Repair Centre, 167 Mansfield Road, 0115 941 2836 is the place to go, opposite Neal's auction rooms. I have only ever used them in the last seventeen years. They are cheap, very good and will honestly tell you if the repair is worth doing, ie if the cost outweighs the value of the camera.


>> Edited by EmmaP on Wednesday 24th August 18:01

[simpo two]

Typhon said:

From what I understand it's down when you are looking through the viewfinder and goes up so you can take the photo. Edit: The post I replied to disappeared

Yep, sorry - I thought you meant TLR, which doesn't have a moving mirror. Then I figured 'Zenit TTL' was an SLR with TTL metering... doh. So yes, if it's an SLR, it should move. Does it have mirror lock? That might be on/stuck.

[Typhon]

Thanks. I'll give Abbey Photographic Repair Centre a call.

It doesen't have a mirror lock that I know of. I took the lens off and took a couple of photos to show the problem. The small metal clip that I've labeled in red looks like it's out of place, although I don't know if that affects it. The bit of metal that the blue arrows are pointing to looks like it holds up the mirror (I'm guessing). It just wobbles back and forth. The mirror above it only moves if I move it myself, other than that it just stays somewhere between up and down.

http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/4617/img30890hd.jpg
http://img277.imageshack.us/img277/4061/img30903yj.jpg

[EmmaP]

Sorry that I can't help you any further. I leave well alone when it comes to precision instruments It sounds like the mirror locking mechanism needs some attention. I am sure that it will be relatively simple and not too expensive to repair.

[simpo two]

All becomes clear. It's not working because someone's jammed coloured circles and arrows in the mechnaism

The fine metal clip in pic 2 defo looks like it should be clipped round something though.

[Typhon]

EmmaP said:

Sorry that I can't help you any further. I leave well alone when it comes to precision instruments It sounds like the mirror locking mechanism needs some attention. I am sure that it will be relatively simple and not too expensive to repair.

Thanks anyway. I'll try the place you told me about.

simpo two said:

All becomes clear. It's not working because someone's jammed coloured circles and arrows in the mechnaism The fine metal clip in pic 2 defo looks like it should be clipped round something though.

Haha! I thought so too. I'll see what they say at the shop.

Thanks for the help everyone.

>> Edited by Typhon on Thursday 25th August 12:40