Found a simple fix for a stuck shutter on a Yashica Electro 35

Had a Yashica Electro 35 come in last month with a shutter that was stuck closed. Tried all the usual stuff - fresh batteries, cleaning the contacts, even took the lens off to check the blades. Nothing worked. Then an old timer at a camera show told me to tap the top cover near the film advance lever with a rubber mallet. I thought he was kidding but gave it a light tap and it freed up instantly. Something about the magnet getting stuck. Has anyone else had luck with percussive maintenance on these old rangefinders?

2 comments

2 Comments

faith_lopez4826d ago

Saw a YouTube video where a guy fixed his that way too, something about the shutter magnet getting physically stuck after sitting for years. That tap just breaks the magnetic field loose I guess.

evanfox26d ago

Honestly yeah that's exactly what happened with my old Canon AE-1. I found it in a thrift store, looked clean but the shutter was completely dead. Gave it a couple light taps on the side near the grip and it started working again like it was brand new. Took it out shooting that same day and everything came out fine, no issues at all. Ngl I was skeptical when the guy in the video said just tap it but it totally worked for me too.