The Hamster Clinic (or the Repair Advice Thread)

ajncam wrote: »

Make: Sony

Item: Compact Camera

Model: DSC-TX10

Fault: The catch which holds the flap covering the charging and hdmi port on the side of the camera closed has broken.. pictures make it a little clearer..!








Below is the catch on the battery/sd card flap, which is what the other one should look like!



When/how it happened: It happened in june 2011 and i have just used a bit of duck tape to keep the flap closed ever since but this obviously wont cut the mustard when i go looking to use it underwater later this summer! nothing specific happened as such, it just popped open one day, the piece that broke off is miniscule so can only presume there was a weakness in the plastic and it just gave up.

It appears a simple enough fix and would be confident I could do it myself, getting a replacement part is where I hit a brick wall, hopefully someone here can help me over it!

Thanks in advance,
Andy

Unfortunately the pictures don't work so I can't see the flap you refer to but you can use http://esupport.sony.com/docs/dvimag/DSCTX10-TX100V_guide/eng/contents/02/02/01/01.html to find the correct part name and number (19?), then contact sony ireland or http://www.repairserv.com/ (sony ASF in Ireland) and ask can they supply you with the part.

Hopefully that helps.

Hi,
I have a Tamron 17-50 f2.8 lens. The grip for zooming has become stiff, lens is having trouble zooming and the grip can be rotated past 17 or 50mm setting.

As far as I know I didn't get any material into it, keep it in a camera bag.

thanks in advance,
Pa.

SeanDeng wrote: »

Make: Canon EFS 18-135mm Lens for 7D

Problems: Lens broken on the camera in camera bag. The lens is broken in to two pieces with the break just in front of the image stabilisation switch

Where is the best place to get this fixed - if fixing is an option. New lens is approx 400 stg

I can post some pics if required

Regards
Sean

Replied to your PM there.

gsxr1 wrote: »

The USB connection on my 1000d has broke.

I left a short lead in it and it fell onto the carpet. I think the solder has broken where it connected to the board.

How much would a repair shop expect for this type of repair? I might just buy a card reader instead.

The usb port is on the main pcb so if it has ripped off the board fully and damaged the lands then that would require a new main PCB in which case you would be better off with a card reader. I would be happy to take a look for you and see if it can be soldered back on though (if it hasn't damaged the lands).

pansyflower wrote: »

Panasonic TZ7
Re circular menu selector switch, the section at 3 o'clock (for flash etc) doesn't work. It depresses like the other sections but doesnt function.
Any ideas?

The button contacts could be damaged is my best guess, if you would like I could have a look and see?
PM me for details.

Not quite a repair, but I've lost the battery door off my Canon 40d. Where would I manage to pick one up?

11811 wrote: »

Not quite a repair, but I've lost the battery door off my Canon 40d. Where would I manage to pick one up?

Here: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Genuine-Battery-Cover-Canon-Camera/dp/B0064ANTOE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1343040592&sr=8-1

or here: http://www.ebay.ie/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=m570&_nkw=Canon+40d+battery+door

Lgray wrote: »

Make: Canon
Item: Flash
Model: 400D
Fault: flash not working, doesn't work with external flash either.

When/Where: discovered in February when trying to mount external flash whilst on safari. The hotshoe had been bent in so the flash wouldn't slide on. bent it back out but still wouldn't work, have since followed an online tutorial to check that it's tight, and that the connector isn't stuck or had fallen in (it hadn't before I touched it but did when I was 'fixing' it. have put in a new pin etc. It still won't work. not normally an issue as I don't use a flash that often but I will need it in September for newborn photos.
Any Ideas?
Thanks

The hot shoe could be shorting out the flash circuit or whatever caused the hot shoe to be bend also damaged connections underneath?
I'd really have to have a look at it to see what is wrong with it as there is a number of different things that could have caused it or could be wrong with it to hazard a guess.
PM me for details if you'd like me to have a look?

Just a quick little test, pop the in built flash up and press the exposure lock button where you're right hand thumb would rest (the asterisk on the left hand button, top right hand back side of the camera). Does the in built flash fire when you do this?

Make: Canon,
Item: power
Model: 400d
Fault: Fails to turn on with either off my known good batteries.

When/how it happened:
On holidays 2 weeks ago my wife was taking photo's by the pool, she put the camera in the her hand bag and when we got back to the room it would not work.

4 years ago I sent it to the UK to get a focusing problem fixed.

I've had the camera for bout 7 years and am wondering if it can be fixed or I'm better off buying a new body?

Thanks

pixelscribe_8 wrote: »

Make: Nikon
Item: DSLR
Model: D70s
Fault: On/Off Switch won't switch off.

Have a D70s - working fine except it won't switch off. To do this I remove the battery. Found out about the repair centre, but they won't give a quote over the phone and won't accept a call in with the camera.

Would anyone have any idea how much such a repair might cost?

Many thanks.

Hi,

Cheers for posting.

The fault you have could be software (the firmware) or hardware based so it would be very difficulto to even give a round figure without seeing the camera and being able to test it's behaviour.

First of all however I would suggest a few things to try before sending it off for repair.
1. Reset to factory or similar option and see if that helps.
2. Update the firmware as a firmware error could be causing this behaviour.

On another note I would suggest looking up Nikon parts policy before you invest more in your camera system or look for a repair shop.

Hi,
Pentax K-7- SD card slot problems.
At first a card wouldn't pop out properly.
I'd push it in (& expect it to pop out) and it'd pop 1/2 out.
I'd push it in again and after a few pushes it'd pop out.

today putting a card in it didn't stay in.
I pushed (not forced) it in again & it stayed in.
Now it won't come out....I haven't tried a lot to get it out yet.

I'm guessing a spring is broken?
cheers,
Pa.

Any update on this, or is it a lost cause?

"Panasonic TZ7
Re circular menu selector switch, the section at 3 o'clock (for flash etc) doesn't work. It depresses like the other sections but doesnt function."

Any ideas?

popsicklegirl wrote: »

Make: Canon

Item: DSLR Body

Model: 40D

Fault: Damaged Circuit Board

I accidentally pulled the cable out of my 40D and damaged the usp connection and this has apparently damaged the circuit board.
Is there anywhere in Dublin that can fit a new circuit board relatively quickly.
The camera has already been in a repair center for the past 6 weeks and it looks as if it will be another six to eight weeks before it's fixed s they now want to send it to the UK. Can anybody help please?????

Hey,

What I would do if you needed it as quick as possible is to just either let it run it's course or send it to the UK yourself.

Basically the USB connector is attached to the main PCB and if that is damaged and needs replacing then they need to replace the entire main PCB which requires service software and not all places will have this let alone have access to it.
If speed is your main concern then either post it to the UK yourself or let the current place do the same but either way you will be waiting a similar amount of time (provided the current place have already sent it).

If you can do without using the usb slot on the camera then just use it as you would as it is expensive to have the mainboard replaced due to the part being pricey and the software needed to do the repair also being pricey. There is also one other factor, some service software connects through the usb slot so if that is damaged then you have to recalibrate the camera from scratch rather than just copy the calibration data over to the new board.

moknowsphoto wrote: »

Sigma lens for Sigma camera. I'm looking to convert a Sigma fitting to a Canon fitting so this lens fits my Canon Eos. There doesn't seem to be any conversion kits online so can anyone tell me if this is hard to do and if there might be someone that could do this? Thanks

So in theory this can work and people have done it but it isn't easy by the sounds of it.

For starters the Sigma lenses use EF protocol for focus so that is a start.
The mount is obviously different as are the contacts on the lens.
Using a canon ef mount won't line up screw wise so ideally you would need a sigma made canon mount specific to that lens (sigma may sell you one but they are hard to get parts from).
A canon mount would require modification (read accurate lathework, drilling, countersinking/milling and filing).
You would need an EF mount contact and wires to solder to the lens PCB and although a sigma made contact strip and mount would be ideal you probably won't be able to get one so you will need to make your own from wires/ribbon cable from a pc.

There are a good few factors that may not make this possible like if the mount is a different thickness you will have messed up focus and will need shims or if you can't work the new mount then you will be stopped dead in your tracks.
If the lens is a wide angle then it will be more forgiving of small inaccuracies with the flange distance.

In short you need:
-Soldering skills
-Accurate measuring
-Lathework/filing
-Accurate drilling
-A bit of logic to figure it out

Upon a short google search I came across something which may help you:

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1027&message=37857279

Note that the canon EF mounts are different for most lenses (screw position usually remains consistant but thickness varies as does the back of the mount shape)

Monkey Sampan wrote: »

Make: Canon

Item: Lens

Model: EF 50mm 1.8

Fault: Broke into two pieces

When/how it happened: Fell out of a bag, front side impact to the cap and focus ring, from a height of about 1m onto decking


From the first attached pic, is it repairable?
I think 3 of the clips have snapped off (top left, top right, bottom left)

second pic is just the impact to the front of the lens cap and focus ring



Is there anywhere in Cork City who repair lenses?

Could I do it myself?


I've seen this brief repair guide: http://www.flickr.com/photos/yospiff/3950553307/

But the angle of the photo and his broken English don't inspire confidence to attempt it as I hate working on delicate electronic devices

Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated, Thanks

First of all try the lens on the body and is the motor functioning?

If it is and the gears don't look chipped you can fix it albeit in a DIY fashion.

If 3 clips are broken it is pretty unlucky but you can still repair it to a functional state.
You will need epoxy resin (small amounts) and some very thin strips of metal or plastic.

Basically there is a notch on one side of the lens and the opposing gap on the main part of the lens that you will be lining up.

Make sure the focus ring is rotated so that the guides are at the top of the ramp (as if the front element would be flush with the focus ring).
Aplly small amounts of glue to the thin strips of metal and place them so that they bridge the outer part of the broken clip to the main body (where the clip would sit over). This will act as a permenant fix to the problem however be very careful not to get glue on the ramp and not to bridge the gap where the ramp is as this is where the mechanism will need freedom from obstruction or it won't focus.

Other than that if you don't feel confident drop me a PM.

grapefruitmoon wrote: »

Make: Minolta

Item: SLR Body

Model: X300s

Fault: Worn out/blown capacitor

When/how it happened: the camera is quite old; it could have happened anytime in the last 10 years.

I initially thought that it just needed a new battery but when I got one for it, the camera still wouldn't power on. I have read that the capacitor blowing/wearing out is a common problem with the X300s. I have never used it before however, it was passed down to me recently.

I am seeking advice on how/where to get a new capacitor for it and if there is somewhere/someone in Dublin who might be able to solder it.

Doing a bit of traveling on September 21st for a few weeks and was hoping to bring the camera along. Any additional advice on length of time it might take to fix or price would be greatly appreciated.

P.S. I found some information on the problem here http://www.twid.de/x700/#fixc (see X300 info) but am not particularly savvy when it comes to capacitor values etc.

Thanks very much.

Having looked at the link you provided it gives some helpful information and if you have any soldering experience yourself this would be a very easy job to do.

Ebay would be a good be a good bet for the capacitor (here) and the seller may be able to get it to you in that time frame. If you did get it in time I would be happy to help you out (I'm in Greystones) as most likely you wouldn't have it in time otherwise.

Alternatively if you don't want to travel that far a mobile phone repair/electronics repair store would definitely be able to do it if you had the link you posted here for them although they might not the able to do it short notice (considering the cap might take a while to arrive and only leave you a few days). Considering that though they might also have one of the same rating/size in shop and be able to do it. (the rating of the cap is important in this regard that a similar one might not be suitable).

Either way, if you want more details PM me and I'll see what I can do to help.