P3D Re: Flash (VM, kinda) Question

[pebaker@xxxxxxxxxx (Paul E Baker)]

>Having the same "problem" with my Mark II, two years ago I posted
>extensively about this phenomena.  Check the archives.  I never received
>conclusive replies.  Some people told me this is normal others told me
>it's not.

I didn't see that discussion so let me report that the switch contact,
as designed, makes two closures (one on shutter trip, one on release).
When using flash bulbs, the second closure has no effect (bulb is already
spent).  When using '60s vintage strobes which dumped their total charge
(and thus took many seconds to recharge), the second closure also had no
effect because the strobe wouldn't yet be ready to fire again in the time
it took a person to release the shutter button.

I'd sure like to see a photo of the guts of anyone's Mark II which does
*not* display this phenomenon, because maybe Sawyers changed the design
at some stage.  All Mark IIs I have tested display this behavior.

>Finally I just decided "to learn to live with it".   

No need to, simply make your own secondary switch contact and internally
wire it in series with the primary.  I don't have a diagram to share, but
the location is in the "upper left" of the assembly as you took into the
front of the camera.  As you watch the shutter release mech cycle slowly
you'll see that one of the blades can be used to keep a secondary switch
normally closed during shutter trip, but releases prior to the main switch
getting closed for its second time on shutter button release.

While you're in there, it's an opportune time to grind down those worthless
tunnels in the casting which cause the internal glare problem.

Paul Baker



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