LX Power Issue

Hi,
I'm new to the forum and just decided to revisit film photography of my youth by kitting out with an LX + prime & macro lens. Bad start I'm afraid though as my LX won't power up. I have replaced the batteries but still as dead as the proverbial. Anyone any idea of the problem? and most important is is repairable?
Bob

Hi Bob & Welcome.

There's bound to be someone here who knows the answer.

For my part, I don't know the LX at all but I would start by checking the battery terminals for any sign of corrosion/staining as this is very likely to hinder a good contact.

IF, IF there is any proceed with caution. I would suggest gentle stroking with a stiff pen brush (I'm thinking of one usually used for cleaning printed circuit board tracks and have fine bristles of glass fibre - try Maplins). Be careful not to let the debris enter the camera.

regards
Bernard

Hi Bob,

I'm going to state the obvious here, are the batteries in the right way up? I've actually bought cameras as non-working only to find the batteries inserted upside down, particularly with the small button cells.

John

Thanks for the tips Bernard & John.
Terminals are nice and clean and I thought the same as regards battery orientation- so I tried both ways without success. There is a little illustration of the correct way to insert the batts i.e. with the +ve sign visible viewed from the bottom of the camera. No joy I'm afraid.
Bob.

Just a thought - Do you have a mA meter (multi purpose test meter or similar).

Drop the batteries in place (leave off the lid) then prod the test leads onto the top battery and case and measure the current being drawn, if any. No current drawn suggests the on/off switch (at least) or a faulty circuit board(s)

Do the batteries retain their charge or does the camera flatten them - flat batteries suggest a larger than normal drain so suspect a circuit problem.

Bernard

Will the camera fire at its X-sync speed? This is a mechanical speed that requires no battery power so if you still can't take a photo it's more likely to be the infamous "sticky mirror syndrome" that often crops up in LXs. It's fixable but it will require attention from a specialist who can replace the rubber bump stop under the mirror (Harrow Technical spring to mind).

If the meter lights up in the viewfinder then that would imply that there is power there - move the winder to the stand-off position and half press the shutter to check if you get a reading.

Hi,
Checked with a multi-meter and no current appears to be flowing (batts check o.k.)
Absolutely no sign of power getting to the camera.
Camera does fire at X- speed so mechanics are o.k.
Looking into the battery compartment there is a steel side terminal to pick up the +ve edge of the battery but at the bottom of the compartment there just seems to be a dark grey soft pad which is presumably the negative terminal?
Not sure how this works though unless it is some sort of graphite material.
Anyone able to advise me if this is correct or should there be a secondary steel terminal across the base of the compartment?
Bob

At the bottom of the battery compartment there should be a steel sprung terminal which connects with the negative of the batteries. It is bright and shiny in my LX and easy to see, occupying almost the whole of the bottom of the compartment. Sounds as if you are missing a part.

K.

I think this is what Womble is refering to :-
[IMG]http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/Frogherder/IMGP6473.jpg[/IMG].

May not be exactly the same as this is my old Minolta camera

regards
Bernard

Thanks Bernard, very similar. I was too tired to take a photo last night.

K.

Many thanks Kris...looks like its a trip to the repairers for me then. Hope they can still get the part.
Bernard thanks for the photo- mystery solved. Not sure if this is better or worse than an electrical fault but at least I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.
Bob