Fix Old Cameras: Pentax Spotmatic Uneven Exposure 

Not only inspired, absolutely extra tic, that’s ecstatic! If only these things where common knowledge! It’s a bit like knowing how to put a plaster on, when done right, the healing is improved. DG New Forest U.K.

I have several pentax cameras with this problem and never even knew of these adjustment screws. thank you so much for this perfect video explanation

Another great video, your narration is just fine sir. Thanks for the video :)

Yay! Spotmatic! I have a battered SP500 in dreadful shape that I bought cheaply, specifically to practise tear-down skills on (that way if I mess it up or lose parts, nothing has really been lost). The more Spotmatic stuff you bring out, the happier I (for one) will be. :)

I have two Zeiss Contaflex. One works great the other is jammed up. The jammed one used to work but one cold day it just quit. Every camera repair shop I contacted refused to service it due to it's complexity. If you are interested I would donate it to you for a video.

What a great channel. Well used is certainly one way of describing that camera. :) You should do a video on how to adjust shutter speeds. Slow shutters are probably the biggest mechanical problem with old Pentax cameras with stuck mirrors being #2. I have a nice looking MX that really doesn't look like it needs more than some light seals, a decent cleaning and the shutter adjusted. At the one second setting it exposes for something like 2-3 seconds before closing the shutter. I know that some people have used digital recordings of shutters to determine their speed and made adjustments. Are these tensioning screws what actually adjusts the timing as well?

I think that I read (on the Pentax forum) that I tiny dot of watch oil on the spring really makes the difference for shutter problems. Is this correct, and maybe you can tell me which bit needs the tiny bit of oil. Or, maybe there's already a video about this? Thanks in advance.

Have you encountered a Spotmatic with a light meter that refuses to work?? I have an SPII that I'm trying to fix, I can only think to clean the battery contacts but that hasn't seemed to work

I have my dad's old Pentax KX that doesn't seem to like to take the most evenly exposed photos in the cold (right side is noticeably darker). Would you be able to explain in a video or in a reply what parts need to be cleaned and lubed? Thank you for your incredibly detailed and helpful explanations on your channel. Cheers!

Hello. I'd like to know your opinion: I bought a Ricoh Singlex II with their Auto Rikenon 1:2 f = 50mm, M42 lens kit. The body shoots without problems until the lens is in place: the mirror goes up and stays there without opening the curtain. Generally, by loosening the lens 1/16 of a turn the sequence ends, but sometimes it is possible to remove the objective showing that the mirror is not fully raised, leaving 1/32" below the mirror bumper. You can simulate this failure by stopping the diaphragm's pin pusher slightly, behind the lens, "at six." (the AUTO system) And If you flip the camera, it works. You know: Turning it upside down. Like the gravity helps the system to make the job. But don't need it if the objective is not set... The diaphragm pin movement looks good: 50g (2oz) is enough to get the job done from 1:16 to 1:2.8 but it suddenly goes to 150g (5.3oz) at 1:2 (maximum aperture: when the blades are fully open and they should not be closed). Do you know this type of failure? Where do I start looking? Thanks.

I have an immaculate mint condition Spotmatic F with this problem so I don't shoot with it. When you say 'one full turn' do you mean the adjustment screw or a full turn of the little gear ? Thanks so much for this video ...

i have a pentax spotmatic the mirror locked up, simple fix with your video but the curtain got stuck is there a fix for curtain lock up? thanks in advance

terrific tutorial tim tanks i mean thanks

really interesting videos. great job 👍👍👍

Since you address "old cameras" could you give me some advice on fixing a Mamiya M645 Cds prism viewfinder to get the Shutter Speed/ASA to align up correctly. The meter looks good but the dial for the shutter/asa is not aligning correctly. I have repaired some of my other cameras to include a few M645s. I can't find anything on repairing the prism for this issue that I am having.

I have a Pentax spotmatic which is capping at 1/1000s. I tried adjusting the tension of the second curtain but accidentally it lost all tension. It seems the spring inside dissociate from the curtain axis. Is it unrepairable or it is an extremely difficult task for an amateur？Thanks in advance.

Very good. Thank you.

I planning on buying on-line a Pentax SV with some problems at 1000/500. Seller says 1000 can not be confirmed, and 500 is fast and erratic ( slower speeds are said to be ok). Should I take a chance and hope this repair will solve the problem? Well I need to tighten or loosen that top worm screw? Thanks, Great video!

Hello dear. Congratulations for the video. I got one of my pics on my Spotmatic F with the right of the pic dark. It was set to 1/1000. I've got all the roll ok, except this one. By coincidence, my hands shaked while taking the pic. Maybe a hand shaking could cause this effect? If no, should I increase or decrease the tension on the second screw? Thanks a lot!

How can the camera owner determine which curtain needs adjusting?

I wish you haven't mentioned completed remove the worm, as I remove it, the gear complete release all the tension of the spring and now the curtain just loose and cannot get back...

Thank you.

I have a Zorki 4, and at 1/500 and 1/1000 the frame never gets opened fully at those times. The second curtain chases the first curtain making a slim strip of distance from right to left. Is it a correct behavior of a shutter, or should it open fully no matter what shutter speed is selected. I have uneven exposure, but it is really hard to diagnose because I have to check if that strip of light is even throughout the whole frame

i have a camera where the shutter does not work at the 250 shutter speed setting. would you suggest making the same repair to try and solve the problem?

Hi! How difficult can it be to repair the shutter button on a *"Spotmatic II"* that has stuck in the low position? Do you know that camera? See you, Eduardo.

Ricoh 300