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

[srichards]

Stuck the same film back in. Wound it on. Pressed the shutter button and it's bloody well jammed solid again! Can't turn crank either way. Self timer is definitely not on either. Japanese tat!

Even funnier. thing is now that I've taken it to bits the reason for the shutter not working isn't that the shutter doesn't work (it seems to) it is because the physical button attached to the front plate isn't working effectively. If I take the front off and press on the shutter release doodad it works every time. Tried 2 different speeds. Seems ok. Put the front back on and press in the proper shutter button and it doesn't want to work. Sometimes it needs several presses so I think it is too short or it 'slips' off the release thingy.

I also find it confusing that the manual for the camera mentions a screw thread for a cable release but there isn't one. It feels like it is a random replacement off something else and it isn't the right thing.

Does anyone have a picture of what the shutter release button should look like and whether it is just a post with a screw head at the back?

 

[stevelmx5]

My Mat had a standard push button with an external thread. I could then screw on an adaptor which had a threaded hole in the centre where the shutter release cable could be screwed in;

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Sounds like you've got the right button but just don't have the screw on external adaptor.

Cheers
Steve

 

[srichards]

It's definitely missing that screw on adaptor. It's just a plain button. I have got it back together for about the 5th time and it does fire the shutter now that I've undone the screw thingy a bit so it is slightly longer. It still winds on nastily and feels really clunky compared to the automat.

The shutter seems to be sticking a bit as well so I'm just wondering how you reach it and whether I can give it a good blast of IPA, let it dry then dust it with graphite powder....I'm not sure this is wise entirely but as it doesn't work that well I figure it won't be made that much worse by me buggering about with it and at least I'll learn something!