Problem with Pentax P30n

I have just been given a P30n camera to play with, which has had little use. It was loaded with an unused film that I was going to replace and I put in new batteries. In the process of checking the metering I pressed the shutter release and started an action. For some reason this did not complete and the mirror is now locked up. The wind on lever is locked and the shutter is closed. In short nothing will respond. It seems to me that the shutter is stuck and so the action has been stopped midway thus freezing the controls. I am asking if any of you film buffs recognise the condition and if you have any advice on getting it going again. It is not worth sending for repair but I was planning to put some film through it for old times sake.
Any help will be gratefully received. Thank you. Bob.

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Old hand, slow fingers.

Circuitry problem?.. Take out the batteries, give it a couple of minutes to lose any built-up charge, then reload the batteries to see if that's cleared the issue for you.

Thanks Steven, I've tried your idea but no success. It has been idle for a long time so I don't know when it last worked. Thanks anyway.
Bob.

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Old hand, slow fingers.

I'm not sure, but I think this is what happened to my Dad's P30T, he ended up buying a second hand Super Program

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you don't have to be mad to post here



but it does help

Perhaps it's just seized up from lack of use. It's probably not economic to repair unless you know a local enthusiast who'll give it a go. you could just buy another. Gazillions out there, costing less than a tenner from ebay.

Now I'm off to click and wind on all my old film cameras to hopefully help keep the mechanisms working ;P

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[link=https://500px.com/will_brealey/[/link]

Try a little gentle shaking and tapping. If a set of cogs have jammed though dried old grease then you may just shake them lose again.

Thank you all for your helpful comments, I will try your suggestion Gamka, I think you are right. We were always advised to run through the shutter speeds to keep the action ticking over but it may be 20 years since this one saw the light of day. I was hoping there was a 'reset' button that would return it to factory setting but that was yet to come with the digital age. If I have any success I will add to this thread.

Thank you again and happy shooting, Bob.

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Old hand, slow fingers.

And shake in every direction - maybe put it in the back of the car and drive around some of the UK's finest roads.

Didn't NASA try that with a couple of their Lunar Rovers, and the wheels fell off in one of our wonderful potholes??

Rejoice with me fellows, my P30n that was stuck is now working again. Thinking over your various comments and suggestions, I put the camera on a window cill in strong sun and allowed it to warm up for some time. Hey presto! the shutter released. I have been working through the shutter speeds and some were stuttering a bit but after lots of actions they seem to be working fine. They may not all be accurate now I shall use B&W film with a wide exposure latitude and see what happens.

Thank you all again for your interest and help. I am really pleased with the outcome. Bob

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Old hand, slow fingers.

Great news! So glad it's working again

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you don't have to be mad to post here



but it does help

It may be worth replacing all of the light seals. I did a Canon AE1 for a friend today.
Don't forget to replace the mirror damper too!

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Cheers,

Ian

The P30N doesn't have light seals except around the window for seeing the film type on the canister inside. Of course, it does have a mirror bumper, but I have two P30s and P30N and none of them have needed this replaced.

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Pentax hybrid user - Digital K3, film 645 and 35mm SLR and Pentax (&other) lenses adapted to Fuji X and Panasonic L digital
Fan of DA limited and old manual lenses

Lack of foam light seals is one reason I always recommend the P30 and it's variants. It's also beautifully simple to use. Plus for some reason it's dirt cheap!

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[link=https://500px.com/will_brealey/[/link]

Thanks Chaps for your continued interest and expert knowledge. My camera is in mint condition, including the mirror damper, so I shan't need to be tinkering with it.

I had forgotten how beautifully made these cameras were and what a pleasure to use. Pentax certainly earned their reputation in those days, it's a shame they weren't able to stay in front of the pack, but that's another story.

Best wishes to you all,

Bob

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Old hand, slow fingers.