Why are there still so few service and repair reports on electromechanical SLRs?

[Andreas Thaler]

I ask myself this question all over again every year.

The Nikon F4, Minolta (Maxxum/Alpha) 9000 AF, Canon T90—all legends. Why doesn’t anyone else write about their service/repair experiences, including those with other SLRs from that era? But reports are scarce here as well.

All the necessary technical documentation is available. Master Larry Lyells in particular has provided us with everything we need. No one has to figure out how to fix errors on their own.

Is it the complexity, the electronics, the plastic exterior that gives the impression of lower quality?

I don’t know.

And I’m worried about the future of these beautiful, high-performance machines.

Professional support for these three models is even harder to come by. I can think of one only place in the U.S. that specializes in the Canon T90.

Too many of them end up gathering dust in closets or getting thrown away—even though it isn't necessary.

 

[4season]

You are the lone rebel, the rugged individualist!

 

[Andreas Thaler]

You are the lone rebel, the rugged individualist!

But why?

Doesn't anyone else care? Mechanical SLRs get serviced and repaired too, and there are reports on that ...

 

[wiltw]

Maybe...those who were drawn to camera repair were 'tinkerers' challenged by fixing mechanical things (that also had some electronic components in them) that could more readily be written about.
But now the electromechanical cameras are so filled with complex electronic circuit assemblies that one needs both electronics repair skills and mechanical tinkering skills to fix, and these folks are fewer in number and it is inherently harder to write about fixing the stuff.

 

[Andreas Thaler]

Maybe...those who were drawn to camera repair were 'tinkerers' challenged by fixing mechanical things (that also had some electronic components in them) that could more readily be written about.
But now the electromechanical cameras are so filled with complex electronic circuit assemblies that one needs both electronics repair skills and mechanical tinkering skills to fix, and these folks are fewer in number and it is inherently harder to write about fixing the stuff.

You can learn electronics; you need surprisingly little theoretical knowledge for working on SLRs. Soldering is important, but it’s not rocket science. And the mechanical aspects should be easier since they’re simplified by the electronics. You won’t get very far on your own; the technical documentation provides precise instructions.

I think it’s because electronics has a bad reputation. And you usually can’t see where the current is flowing. Mechanics usually—though by no means always—have the advantage.

For my part, I’ve tried to make the subject appealing to those interested. Maybe it’s helped that a few people are repairing their SLRs at home or recognizing the value of these SLRs and taking them to a professional. But I see little activity online.

 

[Andreas Thaler]

I was on Reddit for six months; there was a lot of buzz and wide reach, but that was about it. People were still posting videos of cameras malfunctioning, along with baffled comments.

Maybe it’s the communication. Long reports, originally in German, translated into English with DeepL, but not in a way that a native speaker would be happy with.

Maybe TikTok would be worth a try.

How I brought my Nikon F4 back to its senses with a hammer …

 

[wiltw]

You can learn electronics; you need surprisingly little theoretical knowledge for working on SLRs. Soldering is important, but it’s not rocket science. And the mechanical aspects should be easier since they’re simplified by the electronics. You won’t get very far on your own; the technical documentation provides precise instructions.

I think it’s because electronics has a bad reputation. And you usually can’t see where the current is flowing. Mechanics usually—though by no means always—have the advantage.

For my part, I’ve tried to make the subject appealing to those interested. Maybe it’s helped that a few people are repairing their SLRs at home or recognizing the value of these SLRs and taking them to a professional. But I see little activity online.

But as components became themselves very complex things with internally programmed logic (not merely the actions of V=IR) they are more difficult to troubleshoot individual elements (like resistors and capacitors) and replacement of the entire subassemply becomes zippy-the-chimp replacement.

 

[Andreas Thaler]

But as components became themselves very complex things with internally programmed logic (not merely the actions of V=IR) they are more difficult to troubleshoot individual elements (like resistors and capacitors) and replacement of the entire subassemply becomes zippy-the-chimp replacement.

So far I can remember, I’ve had very few defective electronic components—at least, ones I can say for sure are defective.

A faulty dual diode, a blown DC/DC converter, a blown fuse, leaking electrolytic capacitors, or a defective IC. And a conductor fault in a Nikon F3, which I could only fix by replacing the FCP. Otherwise, contact issues.

Finding and fixing those is doable, even with troubleshooting guides. After all, people repair DIY stereo systems or older car electronics too. At the very least, you can give it a try.

I’d be happy to see some momentum here for the SLRs. New reports, repair shops that specialize, interest in electronics. The latter, however, remains a niche pursuit.

Maybe you have ideas on how to make DIY more appealing here, or how repair shops could see business opportunities here? Film is on the rise, new SLRs remain a pipe dream—we have to make do with what we have.

 

[wiltw]

So far I can remember, I’ve had very few defective electronic components—at least, ones I can say for sure are defective.

A faulty dual diode, a blown DC/DC converter, a blown fuse, leaking electrolytic capacitors, or a defective IC. And a conductor fault in a Nikon F3, which I could only fix by replacing the FCP. Otherwise, contact issues.

Finding and fixing those is doable, even with troubleshooting guides. After all, people repair DIY stereo systems or older car electronics too. At the very least, you can give it a try.

I’d be happy to see some momentum here for the SLRs. New reports, repair shops that specialize, interest in electronics. The latter, however, remains a niche pursuit.

Maybe you have ideas on how to make DIY more appealing here, or how repair shops could see business opportunities here? Film is on the rise, new SLRs remain a pipe dream—we have to make do with what we have.

My perception (already posted on this) is that fewer folks bother to post text and read about 'technical', in general, but particularly on FOP! I go somewhere else now, to participate in 'technical' content in general...I gave up largely on FOP for such discussion. Even FM traffic is down a lot.

 

[Andreas Thaler]

My perception (already posted on this) is that fewer folks bother to post text and read about 'technical', in general, but particularly on Photrio! I go somewhere else now, to participate in 'technical' content in general...I gave up largely on Photrio for such discussion.

That's interesting. I get the impression that PHOTRIO is the perfect place for discussions like this. Where do you go if you want a more engaging environment for this?

 

[wiltw]

That's interesting. I get the impression that PHOTRIO is the perfect place for discussions like this. Where do you go if you want a more engaging environment for this?

Miswrote...not Photrio, I gave up on FOP!

 

[Alan Townsend]

Is it the complexity, the electronics, the plastic exterior that gives the impression of lower quality?
And I’m worried about the future of these beautiful, high-performance machines.

These cameras are not as attractive to the market due to all those things. Very cheap prices on Ebay for these. Very likely to fail after fixing, I would think. Some love these models, some hate them, too. I personally do not care for them and prefer the opposite genre of all mechanical with no electronics cameras. It's good that you love them, so you can stock up on your collection of them and put together the knowledge needed to repair at least some of them. A worthy ambition. I've watched a few Steve O'nion videos on how much he loves these, but it did not rub off on me. I prefer to use a tripod rather than in lens tilt-tilt correction available for some of those. These are sort of almost digital cameras.

 

[Andreas Thaler]

Miswrote...not Photrio, I gave up on FOP!

 

[Andreas Thaler]

Looking back, SLRs like the Nikon F3 and F4, as well as the Canon T90, were often an unattainable dream for many photographers.

The T90 was reviewed by Oliviero Toscani in a German photography magazine. The professional was amazed by the completely new possibilities this SLR offered in terms of exposure metering and flash control—features that are still hard to fully grasp even today. I think that was his realistic assessment, because the T90 seemed to come straight from the future.

The F4 and F3 were the top-tier stars in the sky until Canon introduced the EOS system.

Some of that old enthusiasm should still be found among those who lived through that era.

Or have they forgotten everything, sold it all, and invested in digital equipment?

 

[4season]

...T90 seemed to come straight from the future.
...
Some of that old enthusiasm should still be found among those who lived through that era.

Or have they forgotten everything, sold it all, and invested in digital equipment?

I never stopped looking towards the future in the 1980s or 90s: I'm still doing it today. I have fond memories of my Nikon F4 (particularly with the smaller battery pack) even as I contemplate Sony's A7R6.

Speaking of batteries, I try to avoid SLRs which rely on AA cells in favor of ones designed to use CR2 or CR123 lithium cells: They really were a major innovation.