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[L_n_h]

I have 2 Praktica MTL3 cameras which now have the same problem. After going halfway into the film, the picture is taken as normal, but the film wont wind on (the wind arm wont move more than 10 degrees or so). Pulling at the little lever top left of t

[Steve_s]

There seems to be an epidemic of jammed Prakticas on this forum at the moment! I had a jammed MTL3 myself a few weeks ago. I spent ages peering and prodding in the mechanism. Eventually I noticed a screw-head deep inside where I was pretty sure no screw s

[L_n_h]

Thanks very much -yes Id love to try and have a go (the camera is as good as dead as it is now so theres nothing to lose). I cant see anything obviously loose, but it made a noise further down inside the works today -maybe nearer the button underneath-w

[Steve_s]

The first thing to say is that on models with TTL metering like the MTL3 the shutter speed and film speed controls are linked to a variable resistance under the bottom cover. In the hole in the middle of the speed control is a taper headed screw which exp

[L_n_h]

Ok, Ive got the frame counter disc & hairspring off. But the shutter still wont cock, as the same old jamming problem occurs. Is there another way I can cock the shutter without using the lever column?  
Also you say 'undo the delay mechanism

[Steve_s]

Yes, the upper brass plate and the one below it and the gears between them will come off as a unit. This should enable you to see much more of the shutter-cocking and film-transport mechanism, which I hope might be useful. The shutter itself is cocked

[L_n_h]

To answer your last comment first, perhaps it is unlucky, though these identical faults actually occurred a over year apart. The only other trouble Ive ever had with them in 20+ years has been shutters sticking closed when the camera accidentally got

[L_n_h]

Correction: that should be 9 0'clock that the lever interlocks with the disc, not 3 O'clock. l_n_h.

[Steve_s]

The lever you are referring to at 9 o'clock is the wind lock, which of course should not be in its notch unless the shutter is cocked. Is yours in the notch with the shutter un-cocked? I have a picture I took of the mechanism, and it looks as though

[L_n_h]

test message

[L_n_h]

Yes the wind lock is in the notch with shutter uncocked. By uncocked you mean the film has not been wound on after taking the pic? Yes I confirm: the wind arm never allowed the film to wind far enough I believe. The triangular 'flag' visible in the vi

[Steve_s]

Since my last posting I decided it was time I tried to work out for myself just how these Prakticas work. They seem to have far more levers and interlocks than can be good for them! I took the delay mech. off my scrap PLC3 which had already had the front

[L_n_h]

Thanks for a super set of instuctions -even if I cant cure my camera problem there will be lots of others who will find these notes useful!  
Your suggestion to check out film transport gears first would be my first thoughts too, as winding on was whe

[Steve_s]

The gear above the sprocket-spindle should not be as stiff as you describe. Even if there was a jam elsewhere in the gears, I think you should be able to move it a little. On a working camera, if you open the back and rock the sprocket spindle to and

[L_n_h]

Yes, front plate came off completely after desoldering a blue wire top left of prism -this must be another 'flash' connection. No vacant screwholes visible apart from one in the mirror chamber (bottom left, in the wall behind the mirror). But my o