For 2026, I have planned a series of projects on DIY and servicing electromechanical SLR cameras and accessories from the 1970s and 1980s.
One focus will be service reports on some first-generation Minolta AF lenses.
These high-quality lenses from the 80s often suffer from oil-stained diaphragms. This can be fixed, but it’s not easy. I will be following Pete Ganzel’s excellent service guides for this; see below for details.
As always I will provide detailed reports with photos to give interested readers guidance for their own work.
Some of it is already available; see the links in the list below.
The SLRs and accessoires listed in purple are those for which I haven't been able to find any service or repair reports online. Here, once again—and not for the first time—we want to be pioneers
Why am I doing this?
My mission is to help preserve the electromechanical SLR cameras of the 1980s.
Many of these SLRs can no longer be serviced professionally and, when problems arise, end up sitting in a closet or being thrown away. DIY remains a realistic option.
Each of these SLRs is a technical masterpiece, precisely because it combines precision mechanics with electronics that are not yet highly integrated into modules. There is still work to be done here—it’s not just a matter of replacing parts.
I also want to show that these SLR cameras have a real chance of being restored—contrary to their reputation as service and repair nightmares.
Professional service and repair manuals are available; see my signature below. No need to tinker—just read the instructions
However, with the 1988 Nikon F4, repair options become more limited, as it increasingly requires the manufacturer’s hardware and software which is not available. For this reason, I consider the 1996 Nikon F5 no longer suitable for DIY repairs. Unfortunately.
Now that I’ve shared my work from the past few months here, I have to get back to work, and it will be a while before I can post another extended report. So things will be a bit quieter on my end for a while
Canon T90
I’d like to take another look at the Canon T90 in a detailed service report, even though I’ve already covered most of it (see the archive here).
It is arguably the most advanced manual-focus SLR and has an undeserved reputation for being difficult or impossible to service and repair. At the same time, it has a few age-related issues, all of which can be fixed.
Too many of these high-quality electromechanical SLRs are likely ending up in the trash. That doesn’t have to be the case. Once they’re gone, they’re gone for good.
If you have questions about a specific model in this list or would like me to prioritize one, please let me know.
Minolta AF lenses, first generation
The first-generation Minolta AF lenses for the Minolta (Maxxum/Alpha) 5000/7000/9000 AF series are optical and mechanical masterpieces.
Solidly constructed from metal and high-quality plastic, some of these lenses have achieved cult status. Examples include the Minolta 70-210/4 AF “beercan” or the Minolta 28-135/4 AF.
A common problem with these lenses
is oiled aperture blades. As a result, the aperture closes with a delay or not at all. With the Minolta 35-70/4 AF, this problem is likely standard today; I have several affected units.
The cause is the grease inside used to lubricate the moving parts, which has liquefied over the decades. And now it’s also ended up where it shouldn’t be, such as on the aperture blades.
You can temporarily clean the aperture blades, but the only lasting solution is to disassemble the lenses, clean them thoroughly, and relubricate them.
Pete Ganzel has provided excellent service tutorials for some of the Minolta AF zoom lenses
With these, I should be able to service my copies. The Minolta 35-70/4 AF is also covered in the SPT Journal.
On my list (first generation):
Notes
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.
One focus will be service reports on some first-generation Minolta AF lenses.
These high-quality lenses from the 80s often suffer from oil-stained diaphragms. This can be fixed, but it’s not easy. I will be following Pete Ganzel’s excellent service guides for this; see below for details.
As always I will provide detailed reports with photos to give interested readers guidance for their own work.
Some of it is already available; see the links in the list below.
The SLRs and accessoires listed in purple are those for which I haven't been able to find any service or repair reports online. Here, once again—and not for the first time—we want to be pioneers
Why am I doing this?
My mission is to help preserve the electromechanical SLR cameras of the 1980s.
Many of these SLRs can no longer be serviced professionally and, when problems arise, end up sitting in a closet or being thrown away. DIY remains a realistic option.
Each of these SLRs is a technical masterpiece, precisely because it combines precision mechanics with electronics that are not yet highly integrated into modules. There is still work to be done here—it’s not just a matter of replacing parts.
I also want to show that these SLR cameras have a real chance of being restored—contrary to their reputation as service and repair nightmares.
Professional service and repair manuals are available; see my signature below. No need to tinker—just read the instructions
However, with the 1988 Nikon F4, repair options become more limited, as it increasingly requires the manufacturer’s hardware and software which is not available. For this reason, I consider the 1996 Nikon F5 no longer suitable for DIY repairs. Unfortunately.
Now that I’ve shared my work from the past few months here, I have to get back to work, and it will be a while before I can post another extended report. So things will be a bit quieter on my end for a while
Canon T90
I’d like to take another look at the Canon T90 in a detailed service report, even though I’ve already covered most of it (see the archive here).
It is arguably the most advanced manual-focus SLR and has an undeserved reputation for being difficult or impossible to service and repair. At the same time, it has a few age-related issues, all of which can be fixed.
Too many of these high-quality electromechanical SLRs are likely ending up in the trash. That doesn’t have to be the case. Once they’re gone, they’re gone for good.
If you have questions about a specific model in this list or would like me to prioritize one, please let me know.
- Minolta (Maxxum/Alpha) 5000
- Nikon FG
- Canon T90
- Canon T70
- Canon T50
- Canon New F-1 and AE-Finder FN
- Nikon viewfinder DE-2 (for Nikon F3)
- Nikon viewfinder DP-30 (for Nikon F5)
- Nikon F-801s (N8008s)
- Minolta XD-7 (XD, XD-11)
- Minolta AF lenses, first generation (see below)
Minolta AF lenses, first generation
The first-generation Minolta AF lenses for the Minolta (Maxxum/Alpha) 5000/7000/9000 AF series are optical and mechanical masterpieces.
Solidly constructed from metal and high-quality plastic, some of these lenses have achieved cult status. Examples include the Minolta 70-210/4 AF “beercan” or the Minolta 28-135/4 AF.
A common problem with these lenses
is oiled aperture blades. As a result, the aperture closes with a delay or not at all. With the Minolta 35-70/4 AF, this problem is likely standard today; I have several affected units.
The cause is the grease inside used to lubricate the moving parts, which has liquefied over the decades. And now it’s also ended up where it shouldn’t be, such as on the aperture blades.
You can temporarily clean the aperture blades, but the only lasting solution is to disassemble the lenses, clean them thoroughly, and relubricate them.
Pete Ganzel has provided excellent service tutorials for some of the Minolta AF zoom lenses
With these, I should be able to service my copies. The Minolta 35-70/4 AF is also covered in the SPT Journal.
On my list (first generation):
- Minolta 35-70/4 AF,
- Minolta 70-210/4 AF,
- Minolta 28-85/3.5~4.5 AF,
- Minolta 35-105/3.5~4.5 AF
Notes
- All projects are based on professional service/repair instructions in SPT Journal, C & C Troubleshooting Guides, and service/repair manuals from the manufacturers unless otherwise stated.
- All projects are DIY and non-commercial.
- I will try to keep to the schedule, but postponements are possible.
- Questions, comments, requests welcome!
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.
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