C3 shutter lag problem

[Anthony Martinez]

I'm up in NY for the holidays with the C3. Out in Central Park I noticed my shutter is unhappy with basically all speeds. I can cock the shutter, trip the release and wait a few seconds before anything actually happens. Right now I'm hoping that's just a response to the cold. How would I diagnose and fix such a thing otherwise?

[timbertoes]

Is the M/X selector on X ? (Should be)

[Colyn]

Originally Posted by timbertoes

Is the M/X selector on X ? (Should be)

No such animal on the C3..

[Colyn]

If the camera has not been serviced in some time it most likely is the cold. Lube used on the C3 gums up with time..

[Daniel W.]

Lube issue sounds right, but you're in probably one of the best places for a crappy situation, head to B&H and see what they say! (or even better, find an old coot with an old camera shop)

[camera shy]

warm it up and try it then. If it works fine you probably have a sticky widget.

[Anthony Martinez]

I tried warming it up, and that seems to have fixed some of the speeds but not all of them. I'll go to B&H before I leave if I get the chance.

1/500th trips instantly, on a few others (like 1/250 and 1/125) you hit the release and you can see the shutter cocking lever start to creep slowly before it finally breaks free from whatever is sticking and the shutter pops.

[venchka]

How far away is Essex Camera? They are a known source for old camera repair.

[wclavey]

Anthony, it sounds like the shutter mechanism lube is dried and sticking... If you can hold out until you get back, we can remove the shutter from the board, remove the lenses and clean it in lighter fluid. That is often the first step to restoring the performance of LF shutters (I have done it many times on LF shutters). Then when it dries, we can re-assemble it and run it through the shutter tester for timings.

[Daniel W.]

Originally Posted by venchka

How far away is Essex Camera? They are a known source for old camera repair.

Not too far, 10-15 mi., give or take on where you start out. 30-45 minutes on a good day. (Worth it if the service is that good)

[timbertoes]

Originally Posted by Colyn

No such animal on the C3..

on the lens/shutter.

[venchka]

I think Colyn & I were a bit confused at first. I'm thinking Argus. Then the lightbulb went on: Mamiya C3.

[timbertoes]

:)
In a pinch, just unscrew the lenses from the shutter assy, and let the whole shutter assy soak in a bowl of Naptha for 10 minutes or so. then take it out, try operating the shutter mechanism a few dozen times, douse it again, and then let it dry out.
It can take the Naptha a while to completly evaporate.
Lighter fluid would be a substitute for pure naptha.

[Anthony Martinez]

I'll link up with Westley when I get home. I had my 5dmk2 with me as well; I just let it take over for the time being. Releasing the shutter on it isn't nearly as satisfying though.

[Colyn]

Originally Posted by timbertoes

on the lens/shutter.

I have 8 C3's from the early to the last versions. None have a M X lever on the body or lens.

Flash sync was internal and designed for flash bulbs. You attached the dedicated flash via the 2 holes on the side of the body.