Recently, I was once again faced with one of those decisions that no one wants to make, because it inevitably involves making a sacrifice.
The shutter on a Nikon F4 needs to be adjusted because the shutter curtains run at different speeds. The difference is only 90 microseconds, or 0.00009 seconds, but that's enough to prevent the shortest shutter speeds of 1/4000 and 1/8000 seconds from forming correctly. The result is incorrect exposure.
To adjust the shutter, the F4 has to be taken apart
This is a lot of work, but it wouldn't be a problem if it weren't for the battery compartment, which is screwed to the bottom of the camera and cannot be removed. The locking screw is blocked and the screws that hold the battery compartment together are inaccessible.
To disassemble the F4, the bottom plate has to be removed, and that's exactly where the battery compartment is located.
I have two options:
I opted for the second option, as I can replace the battery compartment.
Nevertheless, it was not a pleasant task, as it is painful to destroy something that is intact. However, sometimes sacrifices must be made.
Have you had similar experiences?
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A word of caution
Please keep in mind that you’ll be using highly flammable solvents for service work, and their fumes are harmful to your health. Soldering also produces fumes that should not be inhaled. Dangerous high voltages can be present when handling electronics, especially in conjunction with electronic flash units and mains. Therefore, familiarize yourself with the safety regulations beforehand and ensure your safety. Depending on the activity, protective gear may be advisable.
All information provided without guarantee and use at your own risk.
Acknowledgments
Without the work of Master Larry Lyells, in particular, we wouldn’t have the detailed technical information we need today for service/repair of SLRs.
The SPT Journal and The Camera Craftsman, which he helped shape significantly as an author, and which contain all the necessary information and instructions are available for a fee through Learn Camera Repair.
We owe our access to them to Eugene Pate, the founder of Learn Camera Repair.
The shutter on a Nikon F4 needs to be adjusted because the shutter curtains run at different speeds. The difference is only 90 microseconds, or 0.00009 seconds, but that's enough to prevent the shortest shutter speeds of 1/4000 and 1/8000 seconds from forming correctly. The result is incorrect exposure.
To adjust the shutter, the F4 has to be taken apart
This is a lot of work, but it wouldn't be a problem if it weren't for the battery compartment, which is screwed to the bottom of the camera and cannot be removed. The locking screw is blocked and the screws that hold the battery compartment together are inaccessible.
To disassemble the F4, the bottom plate has to be removed, and that's exactly where the battery compartment is located.
I have two options:
- I can leave everything as it is and not be able to use the two shortest shutter speeds.
- Or I can remove the battery compartment destructively, thereby clearing the way for adjusting the shutter.
I opted for the second option, as I can replace the battery compartment.
Nevertheless, it was not a pleasant task, as it is painful to destroy something that is intact. However, sometimes sacrifices must be made.
Have you had similar experiences?
+++
A word of cautionPlease keep in mind that you’ll be using highly flammable solvents for service work, and their fumes are harmful to your health. Soldering also produces fumes that should not be inhaled. Dangerous high voltages can be present when handling electronics, especially in conjunction with electronic flash units and mains. Therefore, familiarize yourself with the safety regulations beforehand and ensure your safety. Depending on the activity, protective gear may be advisable.
All information provided without guarantee and use at your own risk.
Acknowledgments
Without the work of Master Larry Lyells, in particular, we wouldn’t have the detailed technical information we need today for service/repair of SLRs.
The SPT Journal and The Camera Craftsman, which he helped shape significantly as an author, and which contain all the necessary information and instructions are available for a fee through Learn Camera Repair.
We owe our access to them to Eugene Pate, the founder of Learn Camera Repair.
