Minolta Dynax 7 Rear Display Repair

[Cair]

Some time ago I bought a Dynax 7 from eBay in Exp+5 conditions. The camera had a almost illegible rear display (among other issues) so I tried to fix it. Here I'm posting some information, in case someone needs to do the same repair.

First of all, the display originally looked as follows:

Reading a bit about LCD displays, reveals that most likely a birefringend compensation layeres is present between the liquid crystals and the polarization filters. The compensation layer had most likely gone bad. I tried to remove the front polarization layer and scratch off the compensation layer. The display changed color and got darker, but it became well legible even without compensation layer:

Using acetone and cotton swabs I completely removed the full compentsation layer:

After mounting a new polarization layer:

Comparing to a pristine Dynax 7:

Overall, the display changed color and is not as bright as it was but it is now again very well legible. In case you plan to perform the same repair a few notes: The display is sensitive to pressure, I damages mine a bit, also acetone should be kept away from the contacts as it might damage them, so use almost dry cotton swabs and avoid touching the contact area.

 

[neilt3]

Interesting to see this is fixable .
I've a couple of Dynax 7's I bought cheap because the LCDs were faulty.
I bought some other Dynax 7's who had different faults , also very cheaply , and swapped the backs over .
Can you provide a link to the replacement part you used ?
I do have another with the same fault , and it would save waiting for another camera to come up with a doner back .

 

[Cair]

The filter I bought is not available anymore, unfortunately, but any adhesive linear polarizing foil should do the job. E.g. I think this one could work: https://aliexpress.com/item/1005006338238711.html

When mounting the new foil you have to play a bit with the rotation.

If you are reselling the camera, please make the buyer aware of the altered LCD.

 

[neilt3]

The filter I bought is not available anymore, unfortunately, but any adhesive linear polarizing foil should do the job. E.g. I think this one could work: https://aliexpress.com/item/1005006338238711.html

When mounting the new foil you have to play a bit with the rotation.

If you are reselling the camera, please make the buyer aware of the altered LCD.

Thanks for that , I shall look into it .
I won't be selling any though , I bought my first one about twenty years ago and it's my favourite camera.
The second one I got for a different emulsion when I'm out , two faulty ones were on eBay that I made one good one of for a out £30 total.
The next was a spare .
What I've got to repair now just came up very cheap, so couldn't resist!
Handy to have a few spares .

I've probably got the two old backs around somewhere to try first .