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Thank you, thank you, thank you. Picked up a Hi-Matic 7 for $10 and the stuck shutter and aperture is exactly what was wrong. Really appreciate the video as I was able to bring this one back to life!
Your channel is such a great resource for vintage camera knowledge! I have a buddy who just picked up a Hi-Matic 7s which may have this issue. We will be consulting this if it does end up needing some servicing
I have a 1962 Minolta Hi Matic with a stuck shutter, but I still haven't dared to open it and try to clean it. Gotta give it a go at some point, your video makes it look easy. It's not exactly the same but I think it would be close in terms of unassembly. Great video !
Thanks, had exactly the same issue and after some courage (or recklesness) when to open the camera acording to your instructions and fixed it. Also did a deep cleaning of the 3 lenses. Cheers
Thank you for your knowledge and the willingness to share it. I just received a hi-matic 9 from eBay and it had this exact problem. Now it doesn’t. Again, thank you.
Very helpful video! I acquired a 7S recently and the aperture seems to be stuck wide open. It seems to me that the aperture blades are right behind the shutter blades. Do you think that opening the shutter in B mode and then dabbing kind of behind the shutter with Ronsonol should unstick them?
Hi there. Really enjoying your reviews and repair videos ! Many, many thanks ! Picked up a cosmetically beautiful Hi-Matic E. Camera powers up, orange power light comes on, green light in view finder comes on - shutter fires, but it seems to be stuck at one shutter speed. Any ideas what could be wrong and what can be done ? I do see that the ASA dial changing does change the aperture when firing (which I guess is good ) but the shutter speed stays the same.
Interesting .I need to free up my shutter speed ring it seems very tight on mine . Would love to a video or get some advice on what to look for and do to free it up a bit thanks
Hi, I came across your channel and you have some great tips and Infos! I saw an offer online of a hi matic 9. The guy says the auto mode and lightmeter does not work and since the middle of the last role he shot, the camera didn't take pictures anymore (black negatives). Now seeing this video I think it might only be a stuck shutter. Do you know of any other problems? Do you think it could still be an "easy fix"?
I followed your steps and got a Hi Matic 9 shutter working again. Flawlessly, at all speeds. Thank you. But it has another problem, the focus ring is also stuck! It won't budge at all. How involved is it to get it lubed and working again? The camera is absolutely flawless other than this remaining problem. Even the meter works! It had its original Mercury battery, but with no corrosion. I replaced it with a MR9 battery that drops the voltage and it is on the spot accurate. I just need to get its focus ring moving so that I can put it to use alongside my Hi Matic 7sii. The Minolta lenses are amazing for their contrast and resolution.
A common fix for a stuck focus ring is to heat up the camera with a hair dryer, this softens the grease in the focus gears. This doesn’t always work, but it often does.
Did this last evening worked like a charm! Have you any experience with a non working meter on the 7S… I have another with a non-responsive meter and shutter is fine.
Thanks for this video. It was informative. Are the steps the same for the Minolta Hi-Matic AF2? I'm kind of afraid of messing around with it for the fear of breaking it.
Could alcohol be used for this? I have alcohol but not lighter fluid. I have a Minoltina AL-s with a stuck shutter. I assume the same process works on them - they all have leaf shutters Thanks in advance. 😊
I assume the same work could help if the shutter is stuck open. I just picked up this camera, and the shutter is stuck open because I can’t see the blades at all, and can see straight through the lens when the film back is open.
Thank you much for the video I tried this on mine and cleaned the shutter blades like you suggested but the shutter still doesn't open up to start and close the exposure it just doesn't move. However it did move open and close easily while doing the cleaning but does not do it by itself. So I don't know what is causing it not to if you have any ideas I would really appreciate that. Thanks 🙏
My hi-matic7 has some play between the lens and body, everytime i press the shutter button the lens moves a bit and the shutter misfires. When i hold the lens to counter this movement the shutter fires. Any idea what the issue is here?
Hi! Do you have any idea how to fix a Minolta Hi Matic S2? It works fine without flash but as soon as I turn the flash on, I can't seem to take a picture. The shutter button can't be pressed down completely! Would appreciate any kind of help!
Hey thanks this video was super helpful! I was able to follow you up until you got to the part where you remove the front lens element. Mine is stuck in there tight and I don't want to wrench on it too hard. Do have any tips for loosening it? Thanks!
There are two ways to remove the lens element, with a lens spanner, or a pair of pliers with a long or wide nose. You can use a little leather under the tips of the pliers to prevent damage to the lens assembly. Do not grip the lens too close to the edge, try to grab it a little more deeply. Normally it does not take a lot of strength to loosen the lens element group.
Hi looking for some advice on my Minolta a5, the foam ring on the interior of the camera has completely deteriorated. I managed to clean out most of the foam but I'm wondering how to replace it. The inner lense also seems hazy. Any information would be greatly appreciated.cheers
The only foam you should replace is the light seals. The foam around the viewfinder and around he base of the lens is best not replaced, it is not necessary, and in time, it deteriorates, and spreads foam dust around the insides of the camera.
Hello! I just got a Hi Matic E today and after rigging a battery situation and getting the lights to come on, indicating a solid current, I found that my shutter is still locked entirely, as if it didn’t know it had a battery in it yet. Is that the same issue as what you fix here in the video? Or is this a more electronic problem? anything would help! Thank you!!
This can be caused by a stuck shutter. You can try removing the front lens element, you need to remove the lock ring, lift off the name plate, and then you can unscrew the front lens element group together. A drop or two of lighter fluid will make unlock the shutter blades. It is also possible that the meter element is out of whack, and though the camera is energized, the meter is not reading enough light to allow the shutter to open. In this case, the repair is more troublesome than simply getting another camera.
I just bought this camera from you and I'm looking forward to it. I have another of the same model. The shutter didn't work. I was able to fix that with your instructions. Thanks! The exposure meter doesn't work either. Can it be fixed?
Thanks very much, your camera is on its way. The usual cause of a dead meter is bad electrical contacts, often the wire leading to the battery becomes corroded and disconnects. You can run a new wire from the meter to the battery contacts, but the camera has to be disassembled quite a bit to do it.
@@japanvintagecamera8869 I thought so. Because there was an old mercury cell in the battery compartment. The previous owner told me that the camera must have been in the closet for 40 years. The film in the camera was an old Kodak (C22 development) that hasn't been around since the early 1970s.
A small wobble is okay, these cameras were made with somewhat wide clearances so they could operate in hot or cold weather. Too much wobble can affect the photos, but correcting it is an intense job in the Hi-Matic cameras, as you need to remove the entire lens assembly and front plate from the camera, then tighten down the retaining nut inside the rear of the lens assembly.
@@japanvintagecamera8869 I also have a wobbly lens on my 7s, which hasn't been a problem, but now the focusing ring is not consistently affecting the rangefinder. It'll focus from infinity down to about 7 feet and then stop moving the rangefinder elements. If i shake the camera though, sometimes it will go down to the minimum focal distance. Do you think this fix i found would work on my Hi-matic 7s? It suggests tightening three screws inside of the lens assembly: www.adnbr.co.uk/articles/fixing-an-unfocusable-minolta-hi-matic
All the cameras I sell have been cleaned and adjusted, and have new light seals unless I state otherwise. I am still working out improvements to my store, and hope to get it into better shape soon.
Hey I have Minolta hi matic F and seems like it does not take pictures (shooter doesn’t open) in sun light. Otherwise it will take photos in shade and inside. Any idea what might be the problem or the fix 💁♂️?
I’m finding that I can’t focus my hi-matic e. when I turn the ring nothing changes, the subject won’t line up in the diamond as it should. Any thoughts?
There are moving parts in the rangefinder which are lubricated with grease. Over decades this grease can act more like glue, and stop the rangefinder mirror from moving. Under the top cover you can see the rangefinder mechanism, the mirror should move when the focus ring is turned, if not, a few drops of solvent at the pivot point should get it working again.
It is rare that the lens assembly gets stuck, usually they are little more than finger tight. Lighter fluid dries a little too quickly to penetrate the threads. You sometimes need to apply a fair amount pressure to get the assembly to turn, but you run the risk of bending the edge of the assembly. My most useful tool in such situations is a pair of vice grips with the long nose. I use rubber from an inner tube to help them grip, and to prevent scratches or damage.
Actually, the shutter on this camera was jammed, you can see it opened rather slowly after I applied the fluid, and then worked normal speed after that.
Most isopropyl alcohol was some amount of water in it, which is why I use lighter fluid or lacquer thinner. Some old timers use gasoline. Of course all of these, including alcohol, are flammable, be careful.
Ok, mr engineer. Buy, my I aks you why do you say that? I"ve done this before and it has worked for me, besides, watch the video and you can cleary see that this works. This channel is a trustworthy source, unlike you that just comes out of nowher sppiting nonsesnse.
Im not on siding with anybody. This is just my personal opinion. I might be in the minority here. I've tried using this alcohol trick. Result : it left a residue on the shutter and make it worse. Then i dig deeper. The base for the shutter became a little white probably because of alcohol(not sure about this). And i have to disassemble the shutter, clean it and put it back together. Then i tried it again, same result. At last the problem is the shutter spring lose its tension. This alcohol trick might work but stuck shutter might be because of many reasons.
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Thank you, thank you, thank you. Picked up a Hi-Matic 7 for $10 and the stuck shutter and aperture is exactly what was wrong. Really appreciate the video as I was able to bring this one back to life!
Your channel is such a great resource for vintage camera knowledge! I have a buddy who just picked up a Hi-Matic 7s which may have this issue. We will be consulting this if it does end up needing some servicing
I have a 1962 Minolta Hi Matic with a stuck shutter, but I still haven't dared to open it and try to clean it. Gotta give it a go at some point, your video makes it look easy. It's not exactly the same but I think it would be close in terms of unassembly. Great video !
Thank you for this! I bought a himatic 9 last week with this issue!!
Thanks, had exactly the same issue and after some courage (or recklesness) when to open the camera acording to your instructions and fixed it. Also did a deep cleaning of the 3 lenses. Cheers
I used MAF sensor cleanser on my shutter blades. Amazing!
Thank you for your knowledge and the willingness to share it. I just received a hi-matic 9 from eBay and it had this exact problem. Now it doesn’t. Again, thank you.
You're a legend it worked!
Thanks, 7s is back in action!
I followed your video And did i fixed my camera. Thanks a lot!
Saved my booty! Thanks!
Very helpful video! I acquired a 7S recently and the aperture seems to be stuck wide open. It seems to me that the aperture blades are right behind the shutter blades. Do you think that opening the shutter in B mode and then dabbing kind of behind the shutter with Ronsonol should unstick them?
U helped me out thanks man!
Hi there. Really enjoying your reviews and repair videos ! Many, many thanks ! Picked up a cosmetically beautiful Hi-Matic E. Camera powers up, orange power light comes on, green light in view finder comes on - shutter fires, but it seems to be stuck at one shutter speed. Any ideas what could be wrong and what can be done ? I do see that the ASA dial changing does change the aperture when firing (which I guess is good ) but the shutter speed stays the same.
정말 감사합니다 결정적인 도움이 되었습니다 Thankyou...!
Interesting .I need to free up my shutter speed ring it seems very tight on mine . Would love to a video or get some advice on what to look for and do to free it up a bit thanks
Hi,
I came across your channel and you have some great tips and Infos!
I saw an offer online of a hi matic 9. The guy says the auto mode and lightmeter does not work and since the middle of the last role he shot, the camera didn't take pictures anymore (black negatives). Now seeing this video I think it might only be a stuck shutter.
Do you know of any other problems? Do you think it could still be an "easy fix"?
I followed your steps and got a Hi Matic 9 shutter working again. Flawlessly, at all speeds. Thank you. But it has another problem, the focus ring is also stuck! It won't budge at all. How involved is it to get it lubed and working again? The camera is absolutely flawless other than this remaining problem. Even the meter works! It had its original Mercury battery, but with no corrosion. I replaced it with a MR9 battery that drops the voltage and it is on the spot accurate. I just need to get its focus ring moving so that I can put it to use alongside my Hi Matic 7sii. The Minolta lenses are amazing for their contrast and resolution.
A common fix for a stuck focus ring is to heat up the camera with a hair dryer, this softens the grease in the focus gears. This doesn’t always work, but it often does.
Did this last evening worked like a charm! Have you any experience with a non working meter on the 7S… I have another with a non-responsive meter and shutter is fine.
Video about Yashica Minister II stuck shutter repair please 🙏
Thanks for this video. It was informative. Are the steps the same for the Minolta Hi-Matic AF2? I'm kind of afraid of messing around with it for the fear of breaking it.
I have an AF2 and it seems like a wholly different lens design, so I'd say no.
Could alcohol be used for this? I have alcohol but not lighter fluid.
I have a Minoltina AL-s with a stuck shutter. I assume the same process works on them - they all have leaf shutters
Thanks in advance. 😊
Hey sir, can you do viewfinder clean for fujica mpf105 tutorial 😊
I assume the same work could help if the shutter is stuck open. I just picked up this camera, and the shutter is stuck open because I can’t see the blades at all, and can see straight through the lens when the film back is open.
Thank you much for the video I tried this on mine and cleaned the shutter blades like you suggested but the shutter still doesn't open up to start and close the exposure it just doesn't move. However it did move open and close easily while doing the cleaning but does not do it by itself. So I don't know what is causing it not to if you have any ideas I would really appreciate that. Thanks 🙏
You may have to repeat the process a few times, and a blow brush or compressed air can help to blow out the fluid before it dries in place,.
Amazing video! what fluid do you recommend to clean fungus from lenes?
Ordinary lens cleaning fluid works. You can make your own using one drop of dish detergent in a small Dixie cup of water.
Maybe a stupid question but i got this old himatic F and the shutter wont open can this have to do with the fact that the batteries are dead?
Yo I got a Hi matic 11 with a problem with the blades. They’re not stopping down to indicated fstops. I can only shoot it wide open.
Please do Konica Auto S2 🙏🙏🙏
My hi-matic7 has some play between the lens and body, everytime i press the shutter button the lens moves a bit and the shutter misfires. When i hold the lens to counter this movement the shutter fires. Any idea what the issue is here?
can i use this method for my Minolta AL-E?
Hi! Do you have any idea how to fix a Minolta Hi Matic S2? It works fine without flash but as soon as I turn the flash on, I can't seem to take a picture. The shutter button can't be pressed down completely! Would appreciate any kind of help!
Hey thanks this video was super helpful! I was able to follow you up until you got to the part where you remove the front lens element. Mine is stuck in there tight and I don't want to wrench on it too hard. Do have any tips for loosening it? Thanks!
There are two ways to remove the lens element, with a lens spanner, or a pair of pliers with a long or wide nose. You can use a little leather under the tips of the pliers to prevent damage to the lens assembly. Do not grip the lens too close to the edge, try to grab it a little more deeply. Normally it does not take a lot of strength to loosen the lens element group.
@@japanvintagecamera8869 Thanks! I'll try the leather trick.
Can you do this without disassembly the front lens element if the shutter is accessible from the back of the camera?
I have a hi katic 7s with this issue. Any interest in buying?
How do fix the wobbly lens which affects shutter actuation?
How can focusing ring fix? Cannot focus. Ring is loose.
Thank you.
Hi looking for some advice on my Minolta a5, the foam ring on the interior of the camera has completely deteriorated. I managed to clean out most of the foam but I'm wondering how to replace it. The inner lense also seems hazy. Any information would be greatly appreciated.cheers
The only foam you should replace is the light seals. The foam around the viewfinder and around he base of the lens is best not replaced, it is not necessary, and in time, it deteriorates, and spreads foam dust around the insides of the camera.
Hola sirve para todas las hi matic?
Hello! I just got a Hi Matic E today and after rigging a battery situation and getting the lights to come on, indicating a solid current, I found that my shutter is still locked entirely, as if it didn’t know it had a battery in it yet. Is that the same issue as what you fix here in the video? Or is this a more electronic problem? anything would help! Thank you!!
This can be caused by a stuck shutter. You can try removing the front lens element, you need to remove the lock ring, lift off the name plate, and then you can unscrew the front lens element group together. A drop or two of lighter fluid will make unlock the shutter blades. It is also possible that the meter element is out of whack, and though the camera is energized, the meter is not reading enough light to allow the shutter to open. In this case, the repair is more troublesome than simply getting another camera.
I just bought this camera from you and I'm looking forward to it. I have another of the same model. The shutter didn't work. I was able to fix that with your instructions. Thanks! The exposure meter doesn't work either. Can it be fixed?
Thanks very much, your camera is on its way. The usual cause of a dead meter is bad electrical contacts, often the wire leading to the battery becomes corroded and disconnects. You can run a new wire from the meter to the battery contacts, but the camera has to be disassembled quite a bit to do it.
@@japanvintagecamera8869 I thought so. Because there was an old mercury cell in the battery compartment. The previous owner told me that the camera must have been in the closet for 40 years. The film in the camera was an old Kodak (C22 development) that hasn't been around since the early 1970s.
Hi, what would you recommend for tightening the lens to the main body. There is a slight wobble on my Hi-magic 7s.
A small wobble is okay, these cameras were made with somewhat wide clearances so they could operate in hot or cold weather. Too much wobble can affect the photos, but correcting it is an intense job in the Hi-Matic cameras, as you need to remove the entire lens assembly and front plate from the camera, then tighten down the retaining nut inside the rear of the lens assembly.
@@japanvintagecamera8869 thank you for your reply! Very helpful 🙂
@@japanvintagecamera8869 I also have a wobbly lens on my 7s, which hasn't been a problem, but now the focusing ring is not consistently affecting the rangefinder. It'll focus from infinity down to about 7 feet and then stop moving the rangefinder elements. If i shake the camera though, sometimes it will go down to the minimum focal distance. Do you think this fix i found would work on my Hi-matic 7s? It suggests tightening three screws inside of the lens assembly: www.adnbr.co.uk/articles/fixing-an-unfocusable-minolta-hi-matic
You need a link to tools and at some point a fulfilment store. Also you need to offer CLA and light seal info on purchases.
All the cameras I sell have been cleaned and adjusted, and have new light seals unless I state otherwise. I am still working out improvements to my store, and hope to get it into better shape soon.
@@japanvintagecamera8869 Excellent information. I will be sure to keep your offerings in mind! Best wishes!
Hi was wondering if anyone could help me, my aperture gauge isn’t working on my Minolta hi matic 11 if anyone has any tips
Hey I have Minolta hi matic F and seems like it does not take pictures (shooter doesn’t open) in sun light. Otherwise it will take photos in shade and inside. Any idea what might be the problem or the fix 💁♂️?
I’m finding that I can’t focus my hi-matic e. when I turn the ring nothing changes, the subject won’t line up in the diamond as it should. Any thoughts?
There are moving parts in the rangefinder which are lubricated with grease. Over decades this grease can act more like glue, and stop the rangefinder mirror from moving. Under the top cover you can see the rangefinder mechanism, the mirror should move when the focus ring is turned, if not, a few drops of solvent at the pivot point should get it working again.
I can follow the steps, but the lens elements won't come out. They're stuck. Any tips on how to loosen it? Lighter fluid again?
It is rare that the lens assembly gets stuck, usually they are little more than finger tight. Lighter fluid dries a little too quickly to penetrate the threads. You sometimes need to apply a fair amount pressure to get the assembly to turn, but you run the risk of bending the edge of the assembly. My most useful tool in such situations is a pair of vice grips with the long nose. I use rubber from an inner tube to help them grip, and to prevent scratches or damage.
I bought the same camera and I tried this. It worked for a while but suddenly the shutter button and lever got jammed. I don’t know what to do now.
Good explanation of the first steps but no explanation how to fix a stuck shutter. This camera has other reasons for shutter to get stuck.
any example on jammed shutter sir?
Actually, the shutter on this camera was jammed, you can see it opened rather slowly after I applied the fluid, and then worked normal speed after that.
@@japanvintagecamera8869 so the shutter fired but the shutter blades doesnt open? i have the same issue and ill try to fix it next week, thankyou!
At 1:31 what is that?
I cleaned mine and got it looking good but now the shutter is stuck open, anyone have a fix for this issue?
Can I replace Lighter fluid to alcohol ???
Most isopropyl alcohol was some amount of water in it, which is why I use lighter fluid or lacquer thinner. Some old timers use gasoline. Of course all of these, including alcohol, are flammable, be careful.
@@japanvintagecamera8869 ohhhh I see, Thank you for replying me, btw 1 more question :"> Can I still open himatic 7sii with this way? :/
@@eggie247 The 7Sii is actually easier to open than the big Hi-Matics
That's not how you fix sticky shutter!
Please, don't listen to his advice
Ok, mr engineer. Buy, my I aks you why do you say that? I"ve done this before and it has worked for me, besides, watch the video and you can cleary see that this works.
This channel is a trustworthy source, unlike you that just comes out of nowher sppiting nonsesnse.
Always nice to give superior advice and enlighten us when commenting negatively...
Im not on siding with anybody. This is just my personal opinion. I might be in the minority here. I've tried using this alcohol trick. Result : it left a residue on the shutter and make it worse. Then i dig deeper. The base for the shutter became a little white probably because of alcohol(not sure about this). And i have to disassemble the shutter, clean it and put it back together. Then i tried it again, same result. At last the problem is the shutter spring lose its tension. This alcohol trick might work but stuck shutter might be because of many reasons.
@@retropad2020 I do not use alcohol, I use naphtha, which leaves no residue.