"Jim" wrote
wrote in message
if i set it aside it and wait it will continue to work when i come
back to it.

The button merely closes contacts on a switch.

If the shutter release is electrical the camera energizes
a solenoid to release the shutter...

If the camera sticks when in the wound state, and if you
hear a click from inside the camera when you press the
shutter release then the switch is probably OK and something
is stuck in the mechanical side of the mirror release -
it's the mirror flipping up that hits the _shutter_
release. Prime suspect is foam turned to goo.

[When in the jammed state the mirror is down, correct?]

If the camera is silent then the problem is most likely
somewhere in the electrical system: switch, loose wire,
bad contacts.

You have put in a new battery and cleaned the battery
contacts (?)

Just came to me, the solenoid has probably got
a foam shock absorber to keep noise and vibration down.
If this foam has turned to goo then the camera may
go silent. OTHO, if the release solenoid is gooed out of
the way then the shutter should (or shouldn't) release
itself at the end of the film lever wind stroke - the
shutter would always be released.

--
Nicholas O. Lindan, Cleveland, Ohio
Darkroom Automation: F-Stop Timers, Enlarging Meters
http://www.darkroomautomation.com/index.htm
n o lindan at ix dot netcom dot com