R3 shutter only fires when DoF lever is pressed

[moziee]

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Hi - new here.

 

Just bought an R3.

Seems well looked after and has some nice lens - so pleased with that.

However I've put new batteries in and when I press the shutter release the mirror lifts a little then stops.

The only way to complete the mirror up / then shutter, is to press the depth of field lever.

So all seems to work perfectly if I'm prepared to use this mad two stage shutter fire system!

Any thoughts ?

 

Thanks!

 

Malc

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[Manoleica]

Hi, I presume you have cleaned all the easily reached contacts, & replaced the batteries.. Ask the seller if he/she/store will pay towards having a specialist inspect and repair. Or request a Refund.. I would imagine the fault/faults were the reason for selling the camera.. Possibly they already know the approximate cost to repair the camera!! -

[earleygallery]

That's an odd one!

 

Unfortunately most repairs on the R models are now uneconomical - you can buy a fully working one for less than the cost of repair.

 

I had issues with the shutter on my R3 and all of the repairers I spoke to - including Leica - wouldn't touch it.

 

However - your issue seems like it may be more of a mechanical problem, possibly just some sticking component, and might be quite simple to fix. It just depends if you want to accept that or return it to the seller for a refund.

[pridbor]

Moziee I have the same issue plus the forwarding of film doesn't work some of the times.

 

Some people here are of the opinion that our Cameras haven't been used on a regular basis, and I tend to agree. I bought mine new in 1976, so I know for a fact, that I haven't used it the last 10 years or so. I happen to agree with the former 2 commenters so unless you can do some work yourself you might be out of luck unfortunately.

 

I have decided to persue it and have bought some Watch oil and 1.2 mm Philips screwdriver on eBay. It will however be a few months before I can get to it and let you know if I'm successful. I' m lucky in that I have an R 4, which after inserting new light seals from Jon Goodman, and having run 3 rolls of film through it, is now fully functional, I hope

 

Good Luck

 

Preben

Edited September 30, 2016 by pridbor

[moziee]

Thanks for your comments.

I think I'll see if it eases with some 'use' - and perhaps some oil!

It came with three lens 28 50 135 in superb condition.

Was a real auction purchase rather than ebay - so no return - but then the price was much better too.

 

Kind Regards

Malc

[Hugh 38]

Interesting    fault ,  not one  I have  heard of  before.   Good  advice above.

 

Cameras  ,  projectors  etc   do  need  to  be  used   occasionally  otherwise  they   get  stiff.  About  every   6  months  I  get  all  my  projectors out  and  run  them for   20  minutes  and put  some  slides  through  ,  even  if  I have  used   them . I also  get    the   camera  bodies out  and   fire  them  off  to  stop  them  getting   stiff.  I  need to   fire  off  my  Metz  flash  .

[pridbor]

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Malcolm you didn't mention anything about the light seals, so I was wondering if you had checked closely. Mine were completely disintegrated and absolutely needed to be replaced. I highly recommend that you do so unless the previous owner did so.

 

I can provide you with Jon Goodman's email if you need to replace yours. His doesn't require to be glued!

 

Preben

[dkw]

Hi,

i know this is an old thread but did either of you solve this issue ? As my R3 is doing the same thing! I press the shutter release button and the mirror raises part way really slowly and i have to press the dof preview leaver to make it complete its travel and then the shutter fires and the mirror snaps back home!

 Thanks in advance.

[the_brotographer]

I just got an R3 as well, and after I put my first roll in, it is doing the exact same thing.

[kbleicher]

I'm having the same issue with my recently acquired R6.   Exposure readings are fine if the DOF lever is pressed.  Otherwise it just takes the reading at full open...