Any Canon T90 Enthusiasts Around?

Dennis S said:

Have 2 of them but they have a nasty habit of wearing out the internal battery. Shopped around and finally found some that were identical but I took them in to a camera repair person who tried but failed. Might look into a reputable repair person to try again as they are very comfortable to operate

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I have read that the only function of the internal battery is to retain ISO information for the film currently in use in the camera if/when you find you have to remove dead AA batteries and replace with fresh. Otherwise, allegedly, they perform no other useful function. So as long as you switch primary batteries between rolls, or can remember to remember your ISO in use and set it on your camera after swapping AA's, you'll be in good shape.

I've owned 2 of this camera. I found it to be a very unreliable camera from my experience with it. First off its shutter can get sticky and lead to a EEEE error code. In the old days, they'd end up replacing shutter to fix this. But since shutters are no longer available, you have to send it to an experienced tech with this camera. The only thing you can do to avoid this issue, is to keep using the camera. It doesnt like to sit for long periods of time. The internal battery is also hard to replace, meaning a total teardown. My second T-90 I got from Japan a year ago. I test fired it a few times, but never put a roll through it. When I went to use it, the camera was completely dead. No reasoning as to why, but it wouldnt power on no matter what I did. So basically my second T-90 is a door-stop. I could get it fixed, but I have more important things to worry about. Dont spend more than 160 US for this camera. They also are often missing the viewfinder cup. They fall off really easy. It is a good camera when it works. I just havent had the best luck with the ones I've owned.

Bought my T90 / 300TL new in 1987. It has been serviced once by Canon Australia in 1999 and has never missed a beat even though it may go unused for several years, (too many other cameras including Canon F1-N, EF and A1 as well as Minolta Dynax 7 and some Pentax M42 gear. Not forgetting Mamiya RZ67 and Yashicamat 124G.

The internal battery on mine may have been replaced in 1999 but there's no mention of this on the service receipt. The battery allows the T90 to remember the ISO and frame counter details while the main AA batteries are being replaced. If the battery fails it's easy to reset the ISO and the camera will detect the end of the film and rewind automatically. If in doubt just change the AA batteries before loading a film and you're good to go for a large number of films if you use Eneloop NiMH batteries.

I think my T90 is starting to show signs of a degraded rubber buffer inside the shutter crate at the bottom of the mechanism. I can see tiny pieces of something on the shutter blades. May attempt to gently wipe these off with a Q-tip dampened with isopropanol. Will probably have to inspect both sides of the curtains. Will be fun sorting out an arrangement to hold the mirror up. If it comes to the crunch I doubt that there is anyone in Australia who would undertake a full CLA on this model. Ah well, 36+ years for an electronic, 'plastic' camera isn't too bad.

Trask said:

I have read that the only function of the internal battery is to retain ISO information for the film currently in use in the camera if/when you find you have to remove dead AA batteries and replace with fresh. Otherwise, allegedly, they perform no other useful function. So as long as you switch primary batteries between rolls, or can remember to remember your ISO in use and set it on your camera after swapping AA's, you'll be in good shape.

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Yes I have just heard that also and it turned out to be the shutter on one and the display on the other so I have an overhauled camera on its way from Steve. Hopefully for me the 3rd time is the charm.

I recently acquired one that had been sitting in a drawer for years. Shutter wasn't working - no error, just not firing.
Saw a post on another forum advising to hold the shutter button down and bash it really hard on a carpeted floor. Nothing to lose so gave it a go.
Scared the hell out of the dog but I now have a fully functional T90.
I've run a couple of films through it and it seems fine. Very happy. Now to track down a few FD lenses.

Well I received the T90 from steve@cameraclinicusa.com and I've never seen one in such good condition since 1986 and everything seems fine, so my FD/FL lenses are getting a workout not that they need it but it's nice to see the results from one of the best Canons made for those lenses. Lighter than my F1 N fully loaded so that's a treat for neck and upper body as I don't really have to or want to spend good money to do a gym workout.