1980s SLRs: We still don't have enough repair reports. Can we change that?

[Andreas Thaler]

Electromechanical SLRs still seem to hold little appeal for DIY service and repair. At least, that’s the impression one gets when browsing publicly accessible forums and social media.

Compared to two or three years ago, things are starting to happen - for example, regarding the Nikon F3, Canon New F-1, or Canon AE-1/A-1 - but it’s still the exception. Garry’s is the only resource I know of that regularly covers this topic.

I see three reasons for this situation:

1. Electromechanical SLRs are still considered too difficult for DIY.
2. Defective SLRs, at least the high-end ones, are repaired professionally.
3. Or, people quietly dispose of such SLRs because the electronics have no value to them.

I’m asking you if we can change that.

My contribution is well-known; perhaps the topic of DIY needs to be made even more accessible?

Yes, I know I'm getting on your nerves. But someone has to do it—for the sake of Japan's distinguished legacy

 

[lumoStoria]

All the reasons you give might explain why there aren't many DIY repairs of these cameras. I don't know if this is even true since there are no "official" numbers or at least estimations on DIY camera repairs. When you want to know why there aren't many reports on such repairs, my first suggestion (from own experience) would be: Time and Effort.

I'm currently in the process of writing a blog article on a small, not too complicated part of a repair and I already spent a couple of days on it. For people with only limited spare time, it would be hard to dedicate a significant part of it to writing repair reports. Not to mention that you should already decide in advance if you want to write a repair report since this dictates how much pictures and notes you have to take in the process.