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Body Panel Removal

Introduction

This guide shows how to remove the body panels of the Pentax MZ-S. This is useful to troubleshoot basic control malfunctions and is also the starting point of more in depth repairs.

What you need

  1. Body Panel Removal, Remove film door: step 1, image 1 of 1

    • Push down the latch to release the film door.

    Edit

  2. Body Panel Removal, Remove top cover screws: step 2, image 1 of 3 Body Panel Removal, Remove top cover screws: step 2, image 2 of 3 Body Panel Removal, Remove top cover screws: step 2, image 3 of 3

    • Remove two 7.5 mm #00 screws.

    • Remove one 9.0 mm #00 screw.

    • Remove one 13.5 mm #00 screw from inside the battery compartment.

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  3. Body Panel Removal, Remove top cover screws: step 3, image 1 of 3 Body Panel Removal, Remove top cover screws: step 3, image 2 of 3 Body Panel Removal, Remove top cover screws: step 3, image 3 of 3

    • Push the button to pop up the flash.

    • Remove one 3.5 mm #00 screw.

    • Remove one 5.5 mm #00 screw.

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  4. Body Panel Removal, Lift top cover: step 4, image 1 of 1

    • Carefully lift the top cover away from the body to access wired connections.

    • The top cover is still connected in several locations.

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  5. Body Panel Removal, Access flash connections: step 5, image 1 of 2 Body Panel Removal, Access flash connections: step 5, image 2 of 2

    • Peel back the corner of the rubber grip.

    • Remove the small plastic cover.

    • Be careful not to short the wires before the flash capacitors have been properly discharged.

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  7. Body Panel Removal, Discharge flash capacitors: step 6, image 1 of 1

    • Use a 1kΩ-10kΩ high power resistor to discharge the capacitor. Place the resistor between the blue wire, exposed in the previous step, and ground.

    • The flash capacitors store energy at a very high voltage. Failing to discharge the capacitors properly could result in personal injury and/or damage to the camera.

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  8. Body Panel Removal, Disconnect right flex cable: step 7, image 1 of 1

    • Carefully lift the sides of the white latch.

    • Hold the flex PCB on the camera body in place as you lift to prevent damaging the flex.

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  9. Body Panel Removal, Disconnect left flex cable: step 8, image 1 of 1

    • Desolder the red wire.

    • Carefully lift the sides of the white latch.

    • Hold the flex PCB on the camera body in place as you lift to prevent damaging the flex.

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  10. Body Panel Removal, Desolder flash connections: step 9, image 1 of 2 Body Panel Removal, Desolder flash connections: step 9, image 2 of 2

    • Desolder blue, black, brown and green wires.

    • Remove the loose shim washer if present.

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  11. Body Panel Removal, Desolder the flash flex cable: step 10, image 1 of 2 Body Panel Removal, Desolder the flash flex cable: step 10, image 2 of 2

    • Remove the piece of cellophane tape covering the flex connections.

    • Desolder flex connetions.

    Edit

  12. Body Panel Removal, Remove bottom cover: step 11, image 1 of 3 Body Panel Removal, Remove bottom cover: step 11, image 2 of 3 Body Panel Removal, Remove bottom cover: step 11, image 3 of 3

    • Use isopropyl alcohol to soften the adhesive under the country plate and remove.

    • Remove one 5mm #00 screw.

    • Remove one 7.5mm #00 screw.

    • Remove two 4.5mm #00 screws.

    • Remove one 5.5mm #00 screw.

    • Remove the plastic frame around the accessory grip contacts.

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  13. Body Panel Removal, Remove front left cover: step 12, image 1 of 1

    • Remove one 4.0 mm #00 screw.

    • Remove left cover.

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  14. Body Panel Removal, Remove front cover: step 13, image 1 of 1

    • Remove front cover.

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  15. Body Panel Removal, Unscrew front right cover: step 14, image 1 of 3 Body Panel Removal, Unscrew front right cover: step 14, image 2 of 3 Body Panel Removal, Unscrew front right cover: step 14, image 3 of 3

    • Remove one 6.0 mm #00 screw.

    • Remove two 3.5 mm #00 screws.

    • Remove one 5.0 mm #00 screw.

    • Remove the strap lug.

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  16. Body Panel Removal, Remove the front right cover: step 15, image 1 of 1

    • Carefully pull the right panel away from the body. It is still attached.

    • Desolder the flex connections.

    Edit
Conclusion

To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.

Author

with 1 other contributor

Sam Gustafson

Member since: 09/01/22

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13 Guides authored

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