please help a novice

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pthechemist

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Hi guys, I have decided to start taking photos and before shelling out a fortune on an slr, i have bought a 35mm slr (minolta x300s) and am trying to load a film but the advance lever won't go past the 30 degree mark to wind the film on. the film counter displays s. Anyone any ideas? The batteries are dead but as it is a manual wind, should this affect the advance lever. The manual is no help.
Thanks in advance.
Phil
 
Hi Phil,

You've most likley done this anyway but just to double check.... do you need to fire the shutter to wind the crank on?

There may well be a jam somewhere but it makes sense to suggest the simplest stuff first. :)
 
Hi, 2 answers,
1. I can't release the shutter as the batteries and dead (I think this is why)

2. the advance lever comes out to allow you to get your thumb behind but won't move any further so I can't wind on at all.
 
The batteries are the most likely problem then
 
Hi Magellan, so If i replace the batteries, will the shutter fire and if so will this fix my problem?
Cheers
Phil
 
There is most likley one fully manual shutter speed that doesn't require batteries to fire. It's quite often the flash sync one and may be marked as an "x" on the dial.

If so, at least you can see if that's the problem without trying to find the right cell battery in your local supermarket. ;)
 
Can't find a manual shutter speed, options are:
auto, 1000, 500, 250, 125, 60, 30, 15, 8, 4, 2, 1 and B
the shutter button will not click on any of them
 
Yep change the batteries and you should be OK. Winding on and pressing the shutter 3 times usually puts the exposure counter at 1 and gets rid of the length of fogged film from the loading process.
 
Hi,
Tried new batteries to no avail, went into camera shop where they diagnosed buggered shutter mech. So upon refund, I bought a new Vivitar v3800N with 28-70 zoom lens. Only difference I can immediately notice is that there is no AUTO option. As a result, could anyone give me a v. quick run down on when to use what shutter speeds?
Many thanks, Phil
 
Hi guys, just been looking at a minolta x700 this am and it appears to have the same prob as the x300, advance lever stops at 30 degrees and shutter won"t release. Anyone know if it is a common problem with minoltas? Sorry if I'm labouring a point but want to see if I can get this working as it was a bargain.
Cheers,
Phil
 
It seems that with the X700, the 30deg position is just a 'stand off' position to allow the thumb to comfortably fit behind the lever, and that a further 130 degs of movement is required to actually wind on and set the shutter.

Everything you want to know about the X700 is on this site:-

CLICKY

Scroll down the page for film loading instructions.

Also... whilst it's not too clear from the instructions, the camera has a 'safe film load' system so it's possible you may need to have a film loaded to actually set the shutter?
 
Hi CT,
This is the same as on the x300, the lever advances 30 degs to allow thumb access but then stops and will not move, the shutter will not depress, the safe film load is ok but due to the advance lever prob, I am unable to load the film, if the shutter is stuck, is there any easy way I can attempt to release it.

Cheers,
Phil
 
pthechemist said:
Hi CT,
This is the same as on the x300, the lever advances 30 degs to allow thumb access but then stops and will not move, the shutter will not depress, the safe film load is ok but due to the advance lever prob, I am unable to load the film, if the shutter is stuck, is there any easy way I can attempt to release it.

Cheers,
Phil
Click to expand...

It's curious that you've had the same problem with two Minoltas Phil, which makes me think it's probably something daft. :thinking:

Has the film got a rewind button? Usually they're on the bottom of the camera. You could try pressing that in and winding on, as it completely disconnects the drive mechanism and should set the shutter if you can get the lever to it's full travel. Other than than that I've no idea mate... sorry. :shrug:
 
That's what I was thinking, but I've tried the early rewind button but no difference.
Thanks anyway CT and at least I have my brand spanker to play with, had it out at the match this aft to play with shutter speeds etc... Hopefully will get some ok shots when film developed.
Cheers
Phil
 
I know that no one has replied to this thread over 4 years but I have the same problem with X300s. Looking at the value of camera it doesn't seem worth taking to repair. Does anyone have idea how to fix it myself? I really would like to give a go at film photos.
 
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