The removal of that red dot on every SR-T

David Lyga · Sep 10, 2020

Immediately behind the red dot on every Minolta SR-T is a screw which must be removed in order for the top cover to be able to be removed. I have done this probably three dozen times in order to clean the prism area. What I still have not solved is how to remove that red dot. It is not glued on; it is only inserted into the surrounding circular, raised rim of that tiny screw.

What I usually end up doing is to use a pair of pliers, first, to loosen that screw. Then I unscrew it completely with my fingers. Sometimes, I end up putting small marks on that immediate area with the pliers.

Instead, I would like to be able "to pull off" that red dot so that I could then simply unscrew the now exposed screw head with a small Philips screwdriver. I have tried VERY sticky tape but that dot is so small that I fail to pull the dot off. The frustrating part is that that red dot is held in place without any glue, but still cannot easily be lifted out. Suggestions or experiences? - David Lyga

BrianShaw · Sep 10, 2020

https://www.google.com/search?clien...jUuMi4xmAEAoAEBsAEK&sclient=mobile-gws-wiz-hp

Mr Bill · Sep 10, 2020

I am not quite getting the idea of exactly how the "red dot" is being attached, but is it possible that you could use a bit of hot-melt glue on the end of a "handle" of some sort? Or perhaps a stronger glue that would need a solvent to be removed, although that might remove the red color?

Máx Arnold · Sep 10, 2020

Using the link that Brian Shaw posted I could find this piece of advice: "Use a small sewing needle to flick the dot, (...)"
I would, very gently, using a tiny flathead screwdriver, try to put it out by pushing from the sides, it it has any protruding edge that could be used as a lever.

Mr Bill said:
could use a bit of hot-melt glue on the end of a "handle" of some sort?

This is also a good idea, if it ends up working (which could) and you can afterwards remove the remaining traces of glue that might prevent you from placing a lens. But, being it made from metal, it could be quite painless.
Taking that idea, another, more dangerous, approach is to place some super glue (cyanoacrylate) in the tip of a needle, or a piece of wire, and gently and carefully glue the dot to it. Once it's dry you can simply try to pull it off.
You know how much you expect that camera to live and how much you care about it (I assume a lot ) and this is more important for choosing the method than other aspects like easiness or practicality.
EDIT: What if using the pair of pliers you mentioned, instead of rotating it you try to pull it off?

David Lyga · Sep 10, 2020

Mr Bill said:
I am not quite getting the idea of exactly how the "red dot" is being attached, but is it possible that you could use a bit of hot-melt glue on the end of a "handle" of some sort? Or perhaps a stronger glue that would need a solvent to be removed, although that might remove the red color?

That tiny dot, about 1 mm wide, is simply inside of the screw head. Yes, hot melt glue would work but the trick is to be able to put is back without marring its surface. This is not a major repair question, but, nevertheless, I would like to maintain the good appearance. - David Lyga

David Lyga · Sep 10, 2020

BrianShaw said:
https://www.google.com/search?clien...jUuMi4xmAEAoAEBsAEK&sclient=mobile-gws-wiz-hp

Brian, you embarrassed me and I embarrassed me!!! I had asked the same question NINE YEARS AGO!!!

Yes, the sewing needle is a good idea but even though that needle is very small, there is NO ROOM between the edge of that dot and the edge of the raised circumference of the screw head. Maybe adding a drop of lighter fluid might help. I will try. But I am also interested in hearing what others might have to say about this 'trivial' matter. Thank you all. - David Lyga

David Lyga · Sep 10, 2020

[QUOTE="Máx Arnold, post: 2319514, member: 91054
EDIT: What if using the pair of pliers you mentioned, instead of rotating it you try to pull it off?[/QUOTE]

David Lyga · Sep 10, 2020

David Lyga said:
[QUOTE="Máx Arnold, post: 2319514, member: 91054
EDIT: What if using the pair of pliers you mentioned, instead of rotating it you try to pull it off?

[/QUOTE]

The pliers cannot lift the dot. The dot is INSIDE the screw head's raised circumference. - David Lyga

PFGS · Sep 10, 2020

David Lyga said:
What I usually end up doing is to use a pair of pliers, first, to loosen that screw. Then I unscrew it completely with my fingers. Sometimes, I end up putting small marks on that immediate area with the pliers.

If this method works, but the concern is about the resulting marks, maybe a dedicated pair of pliers are in order, with padding and/or customized shaping to avoid the marks?

David Lyga · Sep 10, 2020

PFGS said:
If this method works, but the concern is about the resulting marks, maybe a dedicated pair of pliers are in order, with padding and/or customized shaping to avoid the marks?

Yes, obviously. And, to re-iterate, this whole question I posed is rather trivial within the panoply of 'legitimate' questions. But ... would it not be very interesting to KNOW how repair technicians deal with such 'trivia'? - David Lyga

cmacd123 · Sep 10, 2020

back when the camera was new of course, the repair folks just ordered a bunch of "red dots" from Minolta.the Dot was part number 1074 and the screw was part Number 9151 and the ring around the screw was part 1073.

I understand as a sub these days the techs make do with red nail polish if they cant salvage the original dot.

MattKing · Sep 10, 2020

cmacd123 said:
back when the camera was new of course, the repair folks just ordered a bunch of "red dots" from Minolta.the Dot was part number 1074 and the screw was part Number 9151 and the ring around the screw was part 1073.

I understand as a sub these days the techs make do with red nail polish if they cant salvage the original dot.

Charles,
I have to ask - did you remember those part numbers without having to look them up?

BradS · Sep 10, 2020

You know, I bet if you called or emailed John Titterington, he'd tell you straight away how he does it.

BrianShaw · Sep 10, 2020

Oh my goodness... he wasn’t kidding:

https://uscamera.com/product/minolta-031-1074-01-index-mark/

Helge · Sep 10, 2020

BradS said:
You know, I bet if you called or emailed John Titterington, he'd tell you straight away how he does it.

I'm looking at one of his jobs right now. Some kind of paint. Not pretty.
Though I guess semi easy to get off, and doesn't pretend to be anything it's not.

Helge · Sep 10, 2020

BrianShaw said:
Oh my goodness... he wasn’t kidding:

https://uscamera.com/product/minolta-031-1074-01-index-mark/

Thanks! I wonder how long stock will last..?

cmacd123 · Sep 10, 2020

MattKing said:
Charles,
I have to ask - did you remember those part numbers without having to look them up?

No, and the manual that I used that someone kindly scanned has just the reference number, not the one in the ad from US camera.

at that price, I am sure that if you can't get the old dot out cleany with a shart pointed tool, that many folks would fall back to the red paint trick. perhaps with a small bit of paper to hide the screw head.

David Lyga · Sep 11, 2020

MattKing said:
Charles,
I have to ask - did you remember those part numbers without having to look them up?

MATT, that was an unqualifiedly funny question, well worthy of your infamous emojis. - David Lyga

Mamiya_Repair · Sep 11, 2020

Over the last forty years I have serviced hundreds of the SRT series cameras and to remove the dot I use a simple technique that I learned long ago from a Minolta factory technician. Attach a small pin vise to the outer chrome bezel, turn counterclockwise and the bezel and screw will come out as one piece. Push the threaded tip of the screw on the bench while holding the bezel and the screw will come out with the red dot still attached and it can then be removed if it has not fallen out already. Photo attached is of my pin vise that is used for the Minolta SRT series. Yes, I have a stock of the red dots from decades ago but using this technique I can't remember when I last used one.

David Lyga · Sep 11, 2020

Well, the bezel and screw are separate pieces! That explains a lot because I never did try to separate them. Then the dot can be forced out but only AFTER the screw is out. Or ... maybe if it is half out of the camera's thread, you can then force the bezel down to force out the dot. Now, I have a much clearer picture and I am thankful that all repair men have not yet died!!!! - David Lyga

The removal of that red dot on every SR-T

Moderator

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency