I unpacked my TL-120 for a field trip this morning only to find the light meter not
registering anything. I replaced the batteries with 2 new sets and got nothing. The contacts
are clean and there are no visible problems. Any suggestions?

I'm also wondering if there's been any arrangement made for service in the USA yet?

Thanks,
Mike Bittner

Mike Bittner wrote:

> I unpacked my TL-120 for a field trip this morning only to
> find the light meter not registering anything. I replaced the
> batteries with 2 new sets and got nothing. The contacts are
> clean and there are no visible problems. Any suggestions?

Can you get different shutter speeds, or do all settings fire at
the same speed? When there is no power at all, the shutter always
fires at one speed.

If you can get different shutter speeds, I'd suggest your problem
is in the shutter circuit. If you get only one shutter speed, I'd
suggest your problem is in the power feed from the battery.

There are also two ways to activate the meter. A button on the
left and by half-pressing the shutter release. Do you see the
same behavior in both cases?

Do you see a difference in behavior if you remove or install the
prism? On the earlier cameras, the sensor in the prism is
electrically connected to the meter circuit. On the later models,
the sensor is in the camera body and the prism is optically
connected to the sensor.

_________________________
John Thurston
Juneau, Alaska

John Thurston wrote:

> Can you get different shutter speeds, or do all settings fire at
> the same speed? When there is no power at all, the shutter always
> fires at one speed.
>

There is only one shutter speed at all settings. I guess shooting this
morning with a meter was useless ... won't spend money having that roll
processed.

> If you can get different shutter speeds, I'd suggest your problem
> is in the shutter circuit. If you get only one shutter speed, I'd
> suggest your problem is in the power feed from the battery.
>
> There are also two ways to activate the meter. A button on the
> left and by half-pressing the shutter release. Do you see the
> same behavior in both cases?
>

There is nothing lighting up in the viewfinder with the button or the
shutter.

> Do you see a difference in behavior if you remove or install the
> prism? On the earlier cameras, the sensor in the prism is
> electrically connected to the meter circuit. On the later models,
> the sensor is in the camera body and the prism is optically
> connected to the sensor.

I removed the prism contact areas and cleaned them several times.
Nothing. I also had the 2 old and 4 new batteries tested. They were all
at full charge. I also cleaned the battery contacts.

This camera was shipped to me out of China on 8/24/07. So what is it
like sending this thing back for warranty service?

Thanks John,
Mike Bittner