Mir success story

[fanshaw]

Some of you might remember that I asked for help with a Mir camera which suddenly locked up completely, a few weeks back.
Following the helpful comments I received (particularly from 'Wolves3012') I started to dismantle the camera. With no experience and little confidence I worked on it from time to time. I took the top off, without finding anything suspicious and then I removed the shutter crate. I left it for some time after this fearing that the next step might see the camera reduced permanently to a kit of parts. However todayI decided to remove the top plate from the shutter crate. I removed the two screws under the washers on the rewind shaft and then started to undo a fixing screw on the top plate. To my amazement I heard the clack of the shutter firing! I replaced the screws and retraced my steps checking frequently that the shutter was still working. I have now replaced the bits I took off inside the top plate and the camera is still working.

It would have been nice to have found the cause of the problem, but I am not complaining! The experience has made me think again that the appeal of these cameras is that you never have to give up on them. They can always be fixed and if you can do it yourself it is particularly satisfying.
Thanks again for helpful advice.
Fanshaw

[wolves3012]

Glad we were able to help, nice that you have it working again...go take some pics!

[ruben]

My deepest congratulations !

The part of your story which I would like to remmark and identify with, is taking your time, break, for mind refreshing and comming back with new ideas, new forces, new approach.

Protracted guerrilla warfare, instead of continuous single-strike frontal attack. This is the beginner's method, my method. Of course, pro repairmen controlling their craft are in no need for it. But we the starters must be cautious since according to our present stage, the camera is smarter than us.

And again, I have not enough words to emphasyze the need for us to develope a sense of knowing when to back off. This is the key for advancing.

Cheers,
Ruben

[fanshaw]

Ruben, you are absolutely right about the need to step back and take it slowly. I found that I started to get a bit careless after a while, risking damaging screws by using too much force or neglecting to take enough notes of where parts went. Fortunately, I realised it was time to take a break and I was able to curb my impatience to get the job done.
I now have a camera that is smoother in operation than it was before it jammed and for the first time I can remember, the satisfaction of actually mending something reasonably complicated!