Sounds like it needs a CLA (Clean, Lub, and Adjust). Gummy lubricants tend to do that, after they get stirred about a bit they work ok until they set about for a while. Also could be some gummy mirror foam stuck in the mechanism. Both require a CLA to fix. In reality one should probably have a CLA done every 5 years or so in normal use. Professional type use or use in harse environment means it should be done more often.
A CLA can cost anywhere from $35 to $150 depending on who does it, and somewhat on whether it is done properlly (requires to camera to be disassembled) or half-assed (open it up squirt solvent into it). Price is also somewhat dependent on whether the shop has all the expensive equipment to do a proper adjustments after the cleaning and lubricating, and the specialized tools Pentax sells for disassembly/reassembly (according to the shop manual you need two special wrenchs and an special electrical tester). So, for proper work the price range is probably more like $60-$150. There is a guy who offers a complete tear down and rebuild of the ME Super (more than a CLA) for a BIN of $40 (plus parts, I am sure). I have no idea of what kind of work he does. Ciao, Graywolf http://pages.prodigy.net/graywolfphoto ----- Original Message ----- From: "Boris Liberman" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "PDML" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Wednesday, July 23, 2003 1:26 AM Subject: Need help with ME Super > Hi! > > There is this ME Super of my friend who exhibits this odd behavior. > It takes half dozen frames before the mirror-up lag settles to its > normal. Before then it works like this: > 1. You press (I almost wrote "hit" here <grin>) the shutter release. > 2. Mirror leisurely makes its way to the top. > 3. One there mirror generously allows shutter to fire, which fires > perfectly fine though. > 4. You are done. > > After 5 or so shutter releases it all becomes normal. > > What gives? Perhaps it is something to do with oil that was used when > camera was re-assembled. If so, then how can I get a small bottle of > original Pentax camera oil for my friend? Anyone has it? Where to get > it? How to get it? > > Thanks! > > --- > Boris Liberman > www.geocities.com/dunno57 >
