ZX-5 (MZ-5) problem.

Hi,

I have been using a borrowed ZX-5 (MZ-5) lately which has been great until a couple of times recently when something nasty has been happening. The mirror will sometimes lock up or come back down half-way. This can only usually be remedied by switching off and back on again which all then seems to advance the roll of film a few frames and so eventually meaning that there are only a hadfull of exposed frames on the roll.

Has anyone experienced this and will it have to be sent for servicing?

Thanks!

Mirror lock up could be a result of a low battery - try changing the batteries for two new ones.

As regards the film advance, is it possible that you inadvertantly set the camera to continuous shooting?

Hmm, I just put new batteries in recently so I don't think that's it. The film advance only happens because I switch it on and off a few times while it's stuck I think. It seems to happen in low-light and maybe hot places I think. Thanks for your suggestions and I'll try new batteries anyway just in case the others are duds.

Low light might be a clue - if you have operated the shutter in very low light then the exposure could be up to 30 seconds in auto modes. Perhaps you are thinking the exposure should be over and the mirror locked up when in fact the camera shutter is still open? If you switch the camera off and then on again in this situation then some strange effects could occur as you confuse the mechanism.

Just a thought!