Canon Elan 7 Door Latch Repair

[braxus]

I bought my Elan 7 brand new back in 2003 and used it for many important shoots back in the day. It also has gone on many trips with me. So this camera has sentimental value to me. I do have a backup Elan 7 which I switched to for now, but I'd like to get my original Elan fixed if possible. What the issue is the door latch has gone south, as it won't hold the door closed. For the last while, I had to close the door, hold the switch, and push the switch up for the door to stay closed. Now it won't stay closed at all. The door popped open while I had a roll loaded into it, all on its own.

Im not sure what exactly the issue is, whether a bent pin or what have you, but is this something that is still possible to fix? I know parts for this camera are probably nill. I dont even know if Canon Canada will still repair these old film cameras or not. Who would I send it to?

 

[LimeyKeith]

Check out the link below, a search on the 'net will also come up with several videos. The repair is fairly simple - it has to be for an old duffer like me to have repaired several different models that share the same door latch. The latches are avaiable from China, Google is your friend here.

https://www.jdavidbuerk.com/blog/248

 

[ignatiu5]

The Elan II (one of the predecessors to the 7) was notorious for door latch failures. I can't recall if I've had similar issues on my 7 bodies (I currently have 2), but I did fix the former; if I remember correctly, it was just two screws to release the door latch module. My suggestion is that it would be far cheaper to buy a parts one (or even an operational one) and swap out the door latch than it would be to send to anyone to do the same. I would be very surprised if Canon would even look at it.

Edit: the post above mine beat me to the punch as I was typing, and is much more informative for the specifics for the 7.

 

[Helios 1984]

I bought my Elan 7 brand new back in 2003 and used it for many important shoots back in the day. It also has gone on many trips with me. So this camera has sentimental value to me. I do have a backup Elan 7 which I switched to for now, but I'd like to get my original Elan fixed if possible. What the issue is the door latch has gone south, as it won't hold the door closed. For the last while, I had to close the door, hold the switch, and push the switch up for the door to stay closed. Now it won't stay closed at all. The door popped open while I had a roll loaded into it, all on its own.

Im not sure what exactly the issue is, whether a bent pin or what have you, but is this something that is still possible to fix? I know parts for this camera are probably nill. I dont even know if Canon Canada will still repair these old film cameras or not. Who would I send it to?

Canon stopped selling these latches years ago, however, you can buy a 3rd party latch for cheap. You'll just have to transfer the old contact pin & spring on the replacement.

P.S: You can also 3D print the part

 

[braxus]

Removing a lot of panels just to replace the latch mechanism doesn't sound like an easy 15 minute job. I might just buy the part and send it out.