I finally got a sticky shutter to work with just lighter fluid and patience

Had this old Minolta X-700 that's been sitting in my closet for like 2 years because the shutter would hang up at slow speeds. Tried everything - firing it empty, tapping it, even left it in the sun for a day. Finally read somewhere that you can dab a tiny bit of lighter fluid on the shutter blades and work them loose. Grabbed my Ronsonol, put maybe one drop on a q-tip, touched it to the edge of the blades, and fired it about 20 times. Now it's clicking through all speeds smooth as butter. Anyone else tried this on sticky leaf shutters? Does it come back after a few months?

2 comments

2 Comments

linda_butler2812d ago

I've done this on three different leaf shutters over the years, including a Yashica Mat that sat dead for ten years. The Ronsonol trick worked every time, and none of them have had issues coming back. I use a tiny drop on the tip of a wooden toothpick, not a q-tip with loose fibers that can leave fuzz. Just work it around the edge of the blades gently, fire it maybe 10-15 times, and let it dry fully before using the camera. The key is using so little it evaporates before it can pool anywhere it shouldn't.

ellis.charles13d ago

Lighter fluid directly on the shutter blades" just made me cringe hard thinking about residue or flash fires. In my experience, that stuff evaporates quick enough if you use a tiny amount, but I'd still be worried about it gumming up later. Your mileage may vary of course, but I've seen folks ruin leaf shutters by getting any solvent on the blades.