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.

 

[Andreas Thaler]

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.

Yeah, that’s probably how it’ll be.

Taking photos and writing isn’t a hassle for me. I have to take photos anyway, since I need the documentation for the assembly. And texts are just thoughts put down on (electronic) paper. It all works wonderfully on my big iPhone including photographing, picture editing and upload in the forum.

The advantage is that I go through the entire project again in the process, and some details only become visible then.

And writing a report means checking the quality of my own work. I certainly don’t want to have to report on shoddy work. But if something went wrong, I won’t leave it out.

But it's not for everyone. For me, it was part of my job.

Then I add writing to the list of hurdles.

Precision mechanics, electronics, writing—it’s becoming less and less appealing

 

[Andreas Thaler]

Regarding writing:

Writing repair reports: A simple, fun thing!

What are you doing right now? Just tell it to a friend! Writing texts is not for everyone. If it has to be done in public in front of an audience, many people put down their pencils. Worrying that the text won't be good enough and that you won't be well received can be a major obstacle to...

www.photrio.com

 

[koraks]

Taking photos and writing isn’t a hassle for me.

You must have already posted it; if you have, please feel free to link me to the post. If not - could you give some insight into how you photograph your repairs? Your photos are always very clear and of good quality, and the quantity suggests you have an efficient workflow that allows you to make plenty without getting in the way of the actual repairs too much. This is the main reason why I too often don't make photos of what I do - it's too intruding and bogs me down. I've considered using something like a GoPro, but haven't actually taken steps in that direction (and doubt I would).

 

[Andreas Thaler]

You must have already posted it; if you have, please feel free to link me to the post. If not - could you give some insight into how you photograph your repairs? Your photos are always very clear and of good quality, and the quantity suggests you have an efficient workflow that allows you to make plenty without getting in the way of the actual repairs too much. This is the main reason why I too often don't make photos of what I do - it's too intruding and bogs me down. I've considered using something like a GoPro, but haven't actually taken steps in that direction (and doubt I would).

Thanks!

I currently use an iPhone 16 Pro Max. The device has excellent macro capabilities.

There isn't much to do: frame the shot, set the focus point, and take the picture.

The last part isn't always easy, since I have to hold both the iPhone and the subject, and taking the picture requires a bit of juggling.

I edit the photos using the iOS photo editing tools (auto-enhance, brighten shadows), then I use an app to scale down the pixel count to the appropriate size. The light comes from a ring-shaped LED work light.

You can post everything directly to the forum.

That’s all.

 

[MattKing]

There isn't much to do: frame the shot, set the focus point, and take the picture.

The last part isn't always easy, since I have to hold both the iPhone and the subject, and taking the picture requires a bit of juggling.

You need my favorite darkroom accessory - a foot switch!
I wonder if there is an app.....

 

[Andreas Thaler]

You need my favorite darkroom accessory - a foot switch!
I wonder if there is an app.....

I need my foot to stomp when something goes wrong

 

[koraks]

Thanks; I was wondering whether you were perhaps using a stand/tabletop tripod or even a head-mount and some way to easily trip the shutter (perhaps even voice-operated). I was/am also curious as to the post-capture workflow as I personally always find that the tedious bit - grab the photos from the phone, crop, resize, insert...even with the Android/Windows integration (I can basically browser the phone contents from my desktop machine) it's a bit of a fuss.

 

[Andreas Thaler]

Thanks; I was wondering whether you were perhaps using a stand/tabletop tripod or even a head-mount and some way to easily trip the shutter (perhaps even voice-operated). I was/am also curious as to the post-capture workflow as I personally always find that the tedious bit - grab the photos from the phone, crop, resize, insert...even with the Android/Windows integration (I can basically browser the phone contents from my desktop machine) it's a bit of a fuss.

No, setting up a tripod would be too much of a hassle for me. The iPhone takes wonderful photos—it’s much easier than using a digital camera.

I tried it once with my Canon G5 X, but it was way too much of a hassle. I processed the RAW files in batch mode in Adobe Camera RAW, but the results weren’t acceptable because it took too much time, and in terms of quality, the iPhone is simply better for my purposes.

 

[lumoStoria]

You need my favorite darkroom accessory - a foot switch!
I wonder if there is an app.....

When I know that I need photos for "publication" (not just for my own repair diary) I use a digital mirrorless camera on a floor-standing tripod and set the self-timer to 2sec. This way, I have enough time to strike the pose if my hands need to be in the shot. I also always focus manually, using the magnifier function of the camera. The automatic focus might miss the point of interest in the jungle of wires, switches, and gears.

 

[koraks]

Yeah, I also find a camera even more hassle than a phone, which works OK in principle. I was wondering if you were using any shortcuts I didn't know about, but sounds like you're doing it pretty much the same as I've been doing it.