Konica TC-X with corrosion on battery terminal: worth fixing or send it back?

[cptrios]

Hi all,
Second post in this section in as many days! I just received a Konica TC-X and, separately, a 40/1.8. I like the combo's size and weight, but unfortunately the camera's not functioning. Looking into the battery compartment, I can see a bunch of corrosion on the negative terminal as seen in this cruddy iPhone photo:

It looks pretty bad, but there's always a chance it can be cleaned off and will still work. I've already started a return (5 minutes ago, with obviously no response yet) since the seller claimed it was "working," but I'm wondering whether I should ask for a partial refund and try to fix it myself or just return it outright. I don't really feel like going to the post office, but I also don't feel like putting in work to clean off the contact and have it still be nonfunctional. And then having to take my chances with another camera and wait for it to be delivered anyway!

So, does it look doable? Does corrosion often 'total' a camera or might it be brought back to life?

 

[Kino]

Unless you got it super, super cheap, I'd send it back. That's pretty extensive damage. You might get it fixed but personally, I would try again...

 

[ic-racer]

Some batteries leak fluid that crystalizes and can be removed with water, leaving all the metal intact as in this case. In your case it looks like there is permanent corrosion.

 

[AgX]

The risk is that the metal has so much corroded that it will tend to break after cleaning. Also salts may have gone further onto the circuit, out of sight.

 

[John Koehrer]

I'd also be amongst the return it crowd. Sometimes you can fix 'em, frequently they're toast.

 

[BobD]

I would see what the seller says first. He may offer a refund w/out needing to return it.

 

[Trask]

According to www.buhla.de (great resource for Konica enthusiasts), the batteries in a TC-X only power the meter, so you could continue to use the camera even if the battery contacts are shot. The 40mm f/1.8 lens is very sharp, in my experience — I shoot a T3 and an Auto Reflex full/half frame. If you want to keep the lens, maybe the seller would refund a part of what you paid to compensate for the battery leakage. FYI, I have read that sometimes, depending on the camera design, the leaking product can migrate up a wire and attack circuits that are not immediately adjacent to the battery contacts, so cleaning them up may not solve the problem.

 

[cptrios]

Thanks for the responses everyone. I think I'll opt to just return it unless the seller (who still hasn't responded, but yesterday was Xmas) does what BobD said. If they do, I'll definitely crack this thing open and see what's what!