Problems focusing (Yashica TL - Electro + Yashinon DS f/1.9)

[Tom Sawyer]

Thanks a lot, I'll keep your tips in mind.

What about the Praktica MTL 5? I heard it's not so well built, and kind of the "black sheep" of the Prakticas?

 

[compur]

I believe Mitica100 is our resident Praktica expert. I have little experience
with them myself.

 

[Torus34]

You'll find information on the quality of the later Prakticas at the site I noted above.

 

[Tom Sawyer]

I found a new problem, hooray, everything is broken:
My Yashinon lens is an auto, right? So, I select the aperture, and when I take the shot the lens is supposed to stop down to the selected aperture, and then open wide again after the shot. So far so good, but this is problematic. If, for instance, I select f16, and set the shutter speed relatively high, then look into the lens and take a shot, the thing hasn't got enough time to close down that far, it doesn't even have time to close halfway. The shutter snaps, the little pin in the lens is released and the lens is opening again, having never even reached the vicinity of f 16.
This is not supposed to happen, is it? it's probably not smooth enough anymore...

 

[compur]

Welcome to the world of vintage cameras.

Take your lens off and pop the actuator pin on the rear with your finger at
various aperture settings.

The diaphragm should snap immediately to the appropriate aperture. If not,
it is probably gummed up with old lubricant. It needs cleaning, in other
words. It's movement should be very snappy which yours sounds like it
isn't.

This is something you should always check (if possible) before buying
older lenses.

Having the lens cleaned would cost more than finding another one (unless
you do it your self which I don't recommend unless you plan to dedicate
yourself to the frustrating process of learning camera repair.)

 

[Tom Sawyer]

Snap...haha, not even close...it sort of slowly glides.
I'll just forget about this lens, or if I want to experiment with it I'll improvise a manual, perhaps by taping down the pin. Thanks again, you've been very helpful.