minolta srt 101: mirror return ko at lower speed?

Hi all,
I noticed that the mirror of my SRT-101 works like that:
- when a fast time is set( > 1/8s) the mirror returns ok
- when a slow time is set( <= 1/8s) the mirror doesn't return, but it
still remains locked up. When I load the film to be ready for the next
shot, it returns ok.
I looked the shutter and it's ok.
Have you ever had some similar experience?
So, is it all ok? Is it the first step of a more dangerous problem and
should it be fixed if possible?
Thank you in advance,
q29

 

The mirror flips up against a row of foam. Is the foam perhaps getting
sticky?

 

I will check it... but in which way it depend by slow time set?
Bye and tahnk you,
q29

 

On my SRT 101 if the mirror lockup conrtol dial is not resting home in
its detent in the off position, (not locked up) the mirror may not
return down after an exposure. Don't know if this is it but you may
want to check.

 

Mirror foam is deteriating and turned sticky.

 

It's only a guess at the problem, since older cameras often have issues
with deteriorating foam. Longer exposures mean that the mirror will
rest on the foam longer, and might allow the mirror to stick. It
doesn't answer all of your symptoms, but it is easy to check, and a
common problem.

 

I acquired an old Praktica today that seems to be having the same
problem. Mirror consistently sticks up on exposures longer than 1/32.

However, the shutter also lags on speeds slower than that so I wonder
if the two are connected? Or if they are different problems?

Matt

 

Of course,

I checked the foam and it seems to be ok.

It should be a right hypothesis... but in B pose, that means the
longest time for mirror to stick, it works ok...

Thank for your help,
q29

 

I checked the foam but it seems to be ok.
Thank for your help,
q29

 

If the foam is ok then you have dry lube causing the mirror kick gear
to stick at slow speeds.
You will need to have a CLA done on the camera..

 

I seem to be having a similar problem with a new camera.

If I open the back of the camera (a Praktica Super TL with rubberised
cloth shutters) and take the plate off that covers the shutter
curtains I can 'kick' the mirror down by simply nudging, a fraction of
a millimetre, the small cog at the base of the roller the 2nd shutter
curtain is on.

It drops fine at all speeds from 1/32 to 1/500 and also on B. It works
intermittently on 1/15 but always sticks on 1/8, 1/4 and 1/2.

Now I can't afford to pay for a CLA on a camera that cost me the
equivalent of $5.

Is it possible to adjust something - to increase shutter tension or
similar? - to make it drop? or is it these cogs at the base of the
roller that need a gentle clean with a little isopropyl alcohol?

Any tips gratefully received.

[It seems a shame to junk the camera since it works fine in all other
respects...]

Matt

 

The only safe way to get your camera back in good working order is a
CLA. Just cleaning the gear won't fix it and adjusting the shutter
tension will affect the shutter speed accuracy...

 

Sorry... but what is CLA?
Thank yoo,
q29

 

Clean, Lube, & Adjust.

 

Clean, lube, and adjust.