Nikon f4 / dp20 probelms

[Swarls]

Dear mates

I have recently bought the f4 - first time using it and I am not sure if I am doing something wrong or the camera is broken or mixed. So I hope you could help me out

Two pins on the few finder dp-20 are broken ( 1 missing - 1 almost off)

Now without the dp-20 on I can normally make pictures and use the camera ( I tried it without film)

With - it party refuse to take pictures and the display illumination is not working

Lower part is not visible, I can only see the focus >< leds

I could not find the light meter to show if the light is fine ( if shot manually )

Also if I remove the dp-20 - camera is making shooting sounds - is this normal ?



Does it looks like problems are only with dp-20 ?

The seller proposed to give me part of the money back - and if possible I would prefer this as getting import taxes back are time consuming

And camera is looking very well except the few finder

 

[Paul Howell]

I would re-post in camera repair and modification where you might get more views, this the rangefinder thread and the F4 is not a rangefinder. To answer your question return if possible or buy a different viewfinder. The DP 20 should not be rattling. But if the pin are broken or missing on the DP 20 are pins still in place on the body?

 

[MattKing]

Welcome to Photrio.
I have moved your thread to the Camera Repairs sub-forum, with the hope that that will aid you in getting the help you need.

 

[Andreas Thaler]

If pins are missing from the DP-20, a malfunction is likely. Malfunctions can also occur if the pins do not sit exactly on the F4 contacts or if there is dirt or debris.

I have three projects here related to the DP-20; there you can also see what the contacts look like when they are complete (first link). Repair is possible, but you will need a DP-20 for spare parts.

If parts of the display are not visible in the viewfinder, it’s possible that the deflection mirrors inside the housing are misaligned, e.g., due to a fall; this can be fixed, see the second link.

---

Nikon DP-20 Finder (for Nikon F4): Troubleshooting contact problems, disassembling, cleaning the interior and the optics

Nikon DP-20 (for F4): Fall from 2.75 m height, LEDs shifted

Nikon DP-20 viewfinder (for Nikon F4): LCD examined, case disassembled and reassembled

+++

All information provided without guarantee and use at your own risk.

 

[Swarls]

If pins are missing from the DP-20, a malfunction is likely. Malfunctions can also occur if the pins do not sit exactly on the F4 contacts or if there is dirt or debris.

I have three projects here related to the DP-20; there you can also see what the contacts look like when they are complete (first link). Repair is possible, but you will need a DP-20 for spare parts.

If parts of the display are not visible in the viewfinder, it’s possible that the deflection mirrors inside the housing are misaligned, e.g., due to a fall; this can be fixed, see the second link.

---

Nikon DP-20 Finder (for Nikon F4): Troubleshooting contact problems, disassembling, cleaning the interior and the optics

Nikon DP-20 (for F4): Fall from 2.75 m height, LEDs shifted

Nikon DP-20 viewfinder (for Nikon F4): LCD examined, case disassembled and reassembled

+++

All information provided without guarantee and use at your own risk.

Thank you very much for the links. In your opinion how fragile are this metal pins on the dp20 - are they easy to break ? I just got a replacement kit and it äs working perfect but I am afraid to open it again sadly it’s quite expensive to get replacements.

 

[Andreas Thaler]

Thank you very much for the links. In your opinion how fragile are this metal pins on the dp20 - are they easy to break ? I just got a replacement kit and it äs working perfect but I am afraid to open it again sadly it’s quite expensive to get replacements.

As far as I can tell, the pins are spring-loaded. It might be set up like this:

See

Inside the Minolta Program Back Super 70: Contact problems resolved

But I haven't removed the pins from the DP-20, so I can't confirm that.

The contacts are sturdy as long as you don't mishandle them.