Yashica-Mat crank won't wind either way...

srichards

srichards

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Suz
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Just about to head out. Just thought I'd try one shot in the garden to make sure I can actually see with the WLF ( I can, it's good and bright. That is a really good thing about the Yash; heavy b****r though)

I pressed the shutter button as the crank wasn't winding either way so I assumed it was cocked and ready to go. Silence. Tried winding on again. Crank won't move. Tried winding in reverse thinking I'd left it without the shutter cocked as advised in the manual ( Automat doesn't care and has a shutter protect thingy ). Nope. Solid. I don't want to put too much pressure on it as it seems fairly easy to wind when I loaded the film.

It's jammed. I can't hear the shutter firing. I can't turn the crank. I wound the film onto the 1 and it seemed perfectly fine a few days ago. The automat was also very quiet in the shutter department but that went through a film reasonably well (apart from my cack metering).

What do I do now?? There is a roll of Ektar in there and being a cheap b****r I'd rather not waste all of it ;)
 
Well I don't have your camera and money in my wallet has fungus, so would suggest you put the camera in a changing bag and take the film out...and go from there.
 
Get the camera into an darkroom remove the film,then take it from their is your best bet :)
 
Drat! Tried slapping it a few times and re pressing the shutter and nada.

Other crazy idea I had was to take the WLF and mirror off the yashica and use it in the automat. They can't be exactly the right size to do this can they?!
 
Nope. Not yet!

No cable release socket either so cunning plan to bypass possibly sticky button thwarted too.

Taken out film. Still jammed.

I have noticed the self timer (red thingy) is all the way to the left and won't move. It's jammed solid as well. I can't work out whether that is the cause of the issue or just a symptom.
 
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Mmm I've got my 124G in my hands atm ...presumably we're talking the same camera here??

When you say self timer lever is all the way to the left ...If that is when the lens is facing twards your eyes then the timer is set and should release ( approx 10 secs when you depress the shutter .....The shutter lock is unlocked isn't it ??? ;;;;daft question i know, sorry, but sometimes in the "panic" we do daft things
 
Have you got the middle ( yellow) lever on the M or X ??
 
Mine doesn't have a shutter lock I don't think???

Looking at the front the red dotted lever is all the way to the left.

I have tried it with the other lever at both M and X. Not sure which it needs to be for normal shooting as I'm struggling to find the right user manual as they seem to be for other yashica mats.

I'm finding this one much harder to use than the Automat. That's a doddle!

The crank is turning now. I'm not sure whether it was repeated stabbing of the shutter button that released it, trying to unscrew the shutter button or squirting some graphite lock lube up the timer lever...
 
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Ok well your self timer is cocked then....I seem to recall reading somewhere that the other lever has to be in X mode when shooting with the timer or damage can occur ....... I'll do some searching to try find more info

BRB
 
Does that manual relate to your camera model Suz?
 
No. Mine isn't the 124g. It's an early one judging by the serial number. I think it is the yashica mat 66 as that looks the closest to it.

I don't remember moving the lever. I've just left it where it was. I have moved it between M and X so if it is already stuck on timer then will that knacker it?
 
srichards said:
No. Mine isn't the 124g. It's an early one judging by the serial number. I think it is the yashica mat 66 as that looks the closest to it.

I don't remember moving the lever. I've just left it where it was. I have moved it between M and X so if it is already stuck on timer then will that knacker it?
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Doubt it will cause it a problem so long as it's set at the correct setting ( X on the 124G) before the timer mechanism actually "runs" when the shutter release is pressed.
 
I can't see anything obvious on the 124G that would cause everything to lock up like in your case.

Don't do anything rash or brutal as often these hiccups are due to a small fault ( often user error) .

No doubt other's will be along soon to offer additional help

Best to be patient than to break it!
 
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If the self timer is set when it is to the left then it is stuck in self timer mode and I can't get it out of it.
 
I've optimistically given it another dose of lock lube. I think someone shoved it into self timer without realising it as the auction photo shows it over in self timer mode! Had I realised what that would mean with one of these I wouldn't have got it I don't think. One of those bought in haste moments.

I'll either take the WLF off it and keep it for spares for the automat as the knobs and spindles look pretty much the same or I'll have a go at taking it to pieces as with the value of them and the price I paid it's not worth fixing unless someone can do it for £20 max.
 
Don't give up all hope yet ...some one might just come along this evening have the knowledge to resolve your problem.......Patience young man!:D:D
 
I think it is probably buggered. I may have done it inadvertently when wrestling it in and out of the case.

It looks pretty though. The automat is grubby so at least this can sit on a shelf and look cool ;)
 
Actually, thinking about it. I've had the same myself. Shutter wouldn't fire, crank wouldn't turn.
It turned out the shutter hadn't reset after wind on. Jiggling (ooh err matron) the crank handle managed to complete setting the shutter. It worked and I was able to wind on.
 
Everything suggest the repair involves disassembly, so not technically buggered, more an undetermined period of mechanical malfunction....:D
 
This happens occasionally on my Yashica-Mat. Wiggling fixes it - try alternating wiggling the crank and pressing the shutter button.

(Which is not to say that it isn't buggered - apparently some Yashica owners mod theirs to stop the flash syncho lever ever moving - just that it might not be)
 
I've wiggled the crank and the self timer thingy is still just stuck on and refuses to move. Grrrr!
 
Had a quick word with realcamera in Manchester. Repair is likely to be around £60 and an estimate is £20 so it's not really worth fixing I don't think.
 
Let me know if you're interested in shifting it? I can never resist a repair option :0)

Cheers
Steve (short-lived leave of absence from film...)
 
I knew it.... got the self-control of a an alcoholic in a distillery. :)
 
stevelmx5 said:
Let me know if you're interested in shifting it? I can never resist a repair option :0)

Cheers
Steve (short-lived leave of absence from film...)
Click to expand...

PMSL :clap:
 
stevelmx5 said:
Let me know if you're interested in shifting it? I can never resist a repair option :0)

Cheers
Steve (short-lived leave of absence from film...)
Click to expand...

12 step programme failed then ;)

I think I might have fixed it or reduced the brokeness. Got the self timer off but it involved taking off the front and putting a load of graphite lock lube around this little lever at the bottom. I nudged it and it then made the self timer whirrrrrr and fired the shutter by the sounds of it. I have no idea whether the aperture blades work though. I'll rerun the Ektar and see if it functions. If not I may take you up on your offer of giving it a home :D

Sadly being a grade A tit I managed to break the mirror as I decided to slip that out and clean it and see if it would fit in the Automat (wrong size) before embarking on fixing the self timer as I didn't think I'd stand a chance.
 
Nice one Suz.... As cack-handed as me then.(y)
 
Yeah, my willpower isn't great really ;0) I'd only be looking to pay postage if you wanted to pass it on instead of scrapping it entirely. If you'd rather try your luck on eBay I fully understand.

Cheers
Steve
"I'm Steve and I'm a cameraholic.."
 
My other option with it is to turn it into a lamp. Thought it would look quite good with an led light in the top shining through the front lens and there is then the option of opening the hood so it can shine out the top as well :)
 
Brilliant... I have an old Yash mat that I might try this on.
 
Andysnap said:
Brilliant... I have an old Yash mat that I might try this on.
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is that the one you murdered by pushing it off the table Andy ?









you camera killer you :D
 
Murdered? No, he tripped I tell ya, tripped and fell....you'll never take me alive copper...
 
I managed to knock the Automat off the sofa the day I got it. I like to think that is the reason that it works ;)
 
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