[CLAIM REFUTED]: Frequent failure of ICs (integrated circuits) in 1980s SLRs - Consequences

[koraks]

Ceramic and tantalum capacitors don't tend to fail at nearly the same rates.

There's an exception: tantalum capacitors specifically from a period in the 1970s-1980s fail at alarming rates. While this, too, is more likely to happen and has a greater impact in high-current applications, it's relevant to cameras for sure as camera manufacturers adopted tantalum caps relatively early on for their benefits (esp. volume/capacity considerations).

 

[reddesert]

I don't have any experience with the type of microcontroller ICs that are pictured in Andreas's post and likely at the heart of most 1980s electronic cameras. However, I do have some experience repairing simpler solid state electronics, largely musical circuits, such as effect pedals and amplifiers, which are not as miniaturized and a little easier to work on.

IME, when there are problems, they are almost never due to a failure of an integrated circuit. Electro-mechanical problems such as poor solder joints that fail, failed connectors, or failed switches are very common. Sometimes you get failed components, perhaps most commonly capacitors (Old large high-voltage capacitors in vacuum tube amps are a common problem, but that is a whole different issue.) Power transistors may fail occasionally in something like a guitar/power amp, but those are being stressed much harder than anything in a camera circuit.

When I took an electronics lab class in the 1980s, we would fry ICs sometimes, but this usually was due to overvoltages, miswiring the circuit and supplying DC power to the wrong pins.

 

[Andreas Thaler]

IME, when there are problems, they are almost never due to a failure of an integrated circuit. Electro-mechanical problems such as poor solder joints that fail, failed connectors, or failed switches are very common. Sometimes you get failed components, perhaps most commonly capacitors (Old large high-voltage capacitors in vacuum tube amps are a common problem, but that is a whole different issue.) Power transistors may fail occasionally in something like a guitar/power amp, but those are being stressed much harder than anything in a camera circuit.

When I took an electronics lab class in the 1980s, we would fry ICs sometimes, but this usually was due to overvoltages, miswiring the circuit and supplying DC power to the wrong pins.

"Electronics" has an undeserved bad reputation.

Cheap, not worth repairing, prone to failure, suspicious.

Yet the problems you describe are actually quite mundane. At least, that’s been my experience with SLRs.

And that’s probably why there are almost no repair reports.

And electronics are incomprehensible anyway.

Which isn’t entirely wrong

 

[MattKing]

I expect that one of the reasons that the IC equipped cameras attract less enthusiasm for those who wish to do their own service work is that use of ICs came along with a combination of attempts to pack a lot more features into cameras, and at the same time try to minimize them in size.

 

[Andreas Thaler]

I expect that one of the reasons that the IC equipped cameras attract less enthusiasm for those who wish to do their own service work is that use of ICs came along with a combination of attempts to pack a lot more features into cameras, and at the same time try to minimize them in size.

But even these cameras can be opened up and worked on. This is especially evident with compact cameras, which are little marvels. And for many of them, the SPT Journal offers service/repair instructions. With these, you can perform a complete service on these little cameras.

 

[koraks]

But even these cameras can be opened up and worked on.

Absolutely, you continue to give compelling examples of this. I secretly hope one day you'll advance to 1990s cameras like the EOS series. Although there's often not a whole lot to repair as they are often in surprisingly good operational state. Still, there are some defects that occur left & right; think of the sticky shutter syndrome and the mode dial on the EOS5 that 'loses its clicks'. I'm sure some more can be found by acquiring a bunch of old EOS cameras and seeing what's up with them.

 

[Andreas Thaler]

Absolutely, you continue to give compelling examples of this. I secretly hope one day you'll advance to 1990s cameras like the EOS series. Although there's often not a whole lot to repair as they are often in surprisingly good operational state. Still, there are some defects that occur left & right; think of the sticky shutter syndrome and the mode dial on the EOS5 that 'loses its clicks'. I'm sure some more can be found by acquiring a bunch of old EOS cameras and seeing what's up with them.

Garry’s shows us his work on this. I think he’s the only one, but I haven’t looked into it.

There must be similarities between the T90 and the first EOS models.



Garry‘s Camera Repair

 

[koraks]

Hey, thanks! I have an old EOS1000F somewhere with this issue. I might give it a go one day (although it's exceedingly rare for me to be sufficiently bored to try something like this...)

 

[Andreas Thaler]

I had a high-end EOS system, both digital and analog, complete with a few beautiful L-series lenses. I bought everything new; I was making good money back then.

In 2018, I sold everything in one go because I saw the market for DSLRs shrinking with the rise of mirrorless cameras. Another consideration was that repair options were dwindling. As far as I know, manufacturers offer service for a maximum of ten years after production has ceased.

I consider DIY to be pretty much a lost cause here. The DSLRs and SLRs from the 90s definitely require the manufacturer’s hardware and software for adjustments. And repairing and servicing an EOS lens yourself would be just as challenging.

Back then, I wasn’t into DIY yet, and I sold everything at a price that still brings tears to my eyes today.

 

[koraks]

I also had an EOS set with some L-lenses. Everything got stolen from my house at some point. Sucks. Insurance paid out though, so from a material viewpoint it wasn't too bad.
I bought back a single EOS7D with a 15-85 EFs. As time went by I bought a couple more low-end consumer EF lenses, as well as some analog EOS cameras. I still have all that and regularly use it. No defects to speak of, so no need for repairs either. The worst I've got going on is an EOS30v with a non-functioning battery level indicator; it works great otherwise. I can't complain!