I recently dug out a Pentax ZX-7 and put new batteries and film in it. I turned it on and it showed I was on picture 1 of my film. I then tried to take a picture, but istead of a shutter noise, I heard a whirring noise that died very soon after hitting and holding button. I never heard the sutter and did not see a sudden moment of darkness after hitting and/or holding button. So I think it might be the mirror lifting mecanism that is broken. I hope for a soon response because I have a soon basketball game.
This camera can be notorious for these types of film advance issues. The bad news is that a ZX-7 is probably not repairable. Good news is that there are many used Pentax bodies out there that will work with you lenses.
SOURCE: Film advance lever and shutter release button are "stuck"
No, it is not the battery. My guess is that the film leader did not stay in the take-up spool and is now bunched up around it. Try rewinding the film carefully as you normally would but remember that you are only rewinding a small portion of the length. You can even just open the film door and start over. You will only loose 3 or 4 frames on the roll.
SOURCE: Mirror locked up
Older cameras like this are notorious for locking up after not being used for quite some time. Though, it is an easy fix, it does require some steady hands and a good memory of where everything was after you're taken it out or apart. The best solution for this is, once you've taken it apart and have access to the mirror, is to have a q-tip with a little vasoline on the tip, apply a thin (very thin) layer along all springs and joints surround the mirror and around the edges of the mirror opening, while avoiding getting any vasoline on the mirror itself. I've worked with cameras all my life and have worked at camera shops, and what I've explained here is exactly what a camera repair place would do. But, if you don't feel comfortable with small parts and tiny screws, a camera shop will gladly fix it for you, and not at a bad price.
So, Good luck! Hope this helps. I hope you're out taking photos soon!
Olivia~*
SOURCE: Pentax ME Super Shutter and Rapid Wind Button won't release
Common fault due to perished rubber parts. Can be usually be repaired, but do not try to force the camera, that may cause damage which can not.
Go to http:/www.mypentax.com for information on how to service this yourself. The author can also advise by mail, and can service these cameras too.
SOURCE: Canon AV-1, Film Advance Lever won't spin..
There's not anything you can do on a DIY basis, it happens to most of them (and the closely related AE-1). But you might be able to get it working temporarily by sitting the camera on top of a dry towel on top of a radiator or after placing it in a warm airing cupboard for 24 hours; this may soften up gummed lubricants enough to allow the parts to move as intended. If it works, this just leaves the camera in a better state to be assessed for a proper repair, it's not a true fix and will go wrong again.
The camera usually just needs a good CLA (Clean, Lubricate, Adjust) service by a professional camera repairer. This should include checking and adjusting the light meter calibration at the same time. Afterwards it should ideally be serviced every year or two, but will probably last another thirty or so years!
In the UK expect to pay at least £60 and about another £15 to £20 if you need the one-off repair of having all the gooey foam light seals/mirror buffers replaced. You can try haggling the price, but as there is far more demand than supply I doubt that you'll find the job much cheaper. If it is, corners ARE being cut: I've seen some cameras supposedly "fresh" from a CLA which have simply been cleaned, polished and had a little bit of WD40 or 3-in1 oil sprayed inside. Almost invariably these were done by less reputable folks on auction websites for around £40.
I use a number of repairers worldwide, but if you're in the UK then I highly recommend Colchester Camera Repair Service.
It's fair to advise that the repair will cost more than the camera is currently worth, but you can't buy a fully working and freshly serviced SLR for less than the repair cost, so it's definitely a worthwhile investment.
Good luck, you have an excellent camera with a great supply of excellent and relatively cheap lenses which can easily outmatch the photographic quality of current digital SLR's if used correctly.
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SOURCE: the mirror on my pentax pz1 (film) camera is stuck
Mirror lockup often occurs if the batteries are flat.
Try new batteries first and if the problem remains please report back for further options.
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