The Hamster Clinic (or the Repair Advice Thread)

zerohamster · 15-05-2012 3:45pm

vidhill wrote: »

Make: Canon
Model: 40D

Fault:

The shutter release button on my Canon 40D has started acting up, from Googling it seems like it's a common problem

Given the value on a 40D these days spending a lot (I've heard it costs a lot) repairing it would be a bit of false economy..

What are the opinions/options/people to talk to?

I'm based in Cork btw

Just to figure out what you mean by acting up, do you mean you have to put more pressure on the button to get the camera to release, it gives errors when you take photos sometimes, the button feels spongey or other?

If the switch requires more pressure, then it is oxidised which is a common problem on the X0D series of DSLRs and is a quick repair.

If the problem is with the switch it wouldn't cost a lot either.

If you want to PM me I do repairs and I can give you more details?

vidhill · 15-05-2012 4:05pm

The switch requires more pressure.. sometimes I have to release the button and press again.

-half press for focus lock is working as normal

It'd be okay for regular work but for sports when I'm waiting for the right moment it's a disaster..

I have a found a guy based here in Cork who is going to have a look at it for me

zerohamster · 15-05-2012 4:34pm

vidhill wrote: »

The switch requires more pressure.. sometimes I have to release the button and press again.

-half press for focus lock is working as normal

It'd be okay for regular work but for sports when I'm waiting for the right moment it's a disaster..

I have a found a guy based here in Cork who is going to have a look at it for me

Yes that is the oxidisation I was talking about. It should just need a clean and it will be fine.

Best of luck with the repair.

NakedDex · 16-05-2012 6:15pm

Make: Nikon

Model: D60

Fault: Pop up flash opens, but doesn't fire.

I'm not sure how it happened, it's been like this for a good while but lack of use let me leave fixing it on the long finger. I suspect it took a minor spill in the bag at some point.

It's not something that's ever bothered me because I only take this body on holidays so I don't have to take my D300S, but I'm giving it to a friend who's starting to get interested in photography so if it can be fixed, it'd be great.

zerohamster · 18-05-2012 1:54pm

NakedDex wrote: »

Make: Nikon

Model: D60

Fault: Pop up flash opens, but doesn't fire.

I'm not sure how it happened, it's been like this for a good while but lack of use let me leave fixing it on the long finger. I suspect it took a minor spill in the bag at some point.

It's not something that's ever bothered me because I only take this body on holidays so I don't have to take my D300S, but I'm giving it to a friend who's starting to get interested in photography so if it can be fixed, it'd be great.

Hi Dex,

I was talking to you about this before, I believe it is simply the flash pop up switch at fault here.
Basically when the flash head pops up it causes a switch to contact when it is fully up and tells the camera that the flash is in the upright position and therefore can use the pop up flash.
The switch is depressd by a cyclindrical plastic insert on the base of the flash that has either a small nib or ramp that as it rotates to the up position causes the switch to move to the on position.

Sometimes this insert can pop into the inside of the head and the flash won't activate because the camera thinks the flash is still down.

Hope that helps for anyone with D40, D60 and whatever other models this affects.

I'll PM you the message I'd sent you last year.

Tearaway · 18-05-2012 3:02pm

zerohamster wrote: »

Most likely the bulb has burnt out and can be replaced without buying the whole motor and part of the head assembly.

The red light upon start up combined with all other functions working is pretty indicative of the bulb failing.

PM me for more details if you would like.

Thanks zerohamster - sent you a pm as requested a few days ago - just wondering if you got it.

PopeBuckfastXVI · 28-05-2012 10:19am

Make: Bronica

Item: Lens

Model: Zenzanon 50mm f/2.8 MC for ETRS

Fault: When the shutter button is pressed the mirror flips up revealing the shutter fully closed, and the shutter does not open. Have tried this with the back open and varying shutter speeds, including several seconds. The shutter does not reopen until it is cocked again by the wind on crank. The camera works perfectly with my 75mm and the batter indicator light comes on when tested.

When/how it happened: Bought the lens second hand, and hasn't worked since I got it.

Thanks in advance!

zerohamster · 28-05-2012 10:41am

PopeBuckfastXVI wrote: »

Make: Bronica

Item: Lens

Model: Zenzanon 50mm f/2.8 MC for ETRS

Fault: When the shutter button is pressed the mirror flips up revealing the shutter fully closed, and the shutter does not open. Have tried this with the back open and varying shutter speeds, including several seconds. The shutter does not reopen until it is cocked again by the wind on crank. The camera works perfectly with my 75mm and the batter indicator light comes on when tested.

When/how it happened: Bought the lens second hand, and hasn't worked since I got it.

Thanks in advance!

Can't say for sure without seeing the lens but I would be happy to have a look if you wanted.
Could be mechaanic or electronic in nature if the release is electronically controlled.

PopeBuckfastXVI · 28-05-2012 11:48am

zerohamster wrote: »

Can't say for sure without seeing the lens but I would be happy to have a look if you wanted.
Could be mechaanic or electronic in nature if the release is electronically controlled.

Thanks ZH, where are you based? I can mail you the lens and paypal you money?

chisel · 01-06-2012 10:50pm

Make: canon

Model: lens 24-105 f4L

Fault:

This is for a friend: took his lens on hols, stopped working. He did a bit of reading etc, and he seems to think it's a fault where some wire/harness becomes disconnected inside. Of course that could be wrong!

He isn't on boards, could you possibly pm/email me your contact details so he could ring/email you?

Thanks

john47 · 08-06-2012 10:56am

Make: Sigma Flashgun (for Nikon)

Model: EF 530

Fault: Small square black piece of plastic on bottom, under locking wheel broken.

I dropped my camera, flashgun first, luckily camera is fine, including the hot shoe on camera, but flashgun isnt.

Can I get the piece of plastic replaced or do I need to replace the whole bottom section of the flashgun. Is there sauldering needed or is it (only) a job of unscrewing broken part and replacing.

Thanks

John Ryan

zerohamster · 08-06-2012 11:44am

john47 wrote: »

Make: Sigma Flashgun (for Nikon)

Model: EF 530

Fault: Small square black piece of plastic on bottom, under locking wheel broken.

I dropped my camera, flashgun first, luckily camera is fine, including the hot shoe on camera, but flashgun isnt.

Can I get the piece of plastic replaced or do I need to replace the whole bottom section of the flashgun. Is there sauldering needed or is it (only) a job of unscrewing broken part and replacing.

Thanks

John Ryan

I don't think it should require soldering if it is just the hot shoe that needs replacing but you have to be careful with the pins and springs so that you don't lose or break any.

If you are looking to do it yourself be careful to not short anything as there is a huge charge stored in the Capicitor that could kill you, otherwise shoot me a PM and I'll give you details.

The part can be bought here:

http://www.ebay.ie/itm/SIGMA-EF-530-DG-SUPER-NIKON-NA-ITTL-HOT-SHOE-FOOT-MOUNT-/330463396853?pt=Camera_Flash_Accessories&hash=item4cf12743f5

john47 · 08-06-2012 11:57am

Thanks Zero, I think I can manage it but I'll PM you if I chicken out...

John Ryan

zerohamster · 08-06-2012 2:15pm

john47 wrote: »

Thanks Zero, I think I can manage it but I'll PM you if I chicken out...

John Ryan

No problem,

Good luck with the repair!

aidanic · 11-06-2012 9:32am

Have a Canon EOS 30 film 35mm camera. When you insert the batteries, the display, both on top and in the viewfinder light up all the segments.

If you tilt the camera, you can see that the "full on" is actually about 50%, and that the correct LCD segments are lit about 100%.

The full display is lit even in the off position. Need to remove the batteries. The camera does work, exposures are correct. You're just flying blind, so to speak.

The camera came to me this way - not sure what happened. I'm OK with tools, so should be able to fix it, if I can get a pointer or two.

Thanks

Aidan

Top Dog · 11-06-2012 4:02pm

Make: Canon

Item: DSLR Body

Model: 450D

Fault: Error 99

When/how it happened:

Had borrowed the camera while out with friends, and suspect it may have taken a knock while in standby mode. Didn't realise it at the time, and while taking a series of photos it just stopped and flashed up the Error 99 on the screen. Took battery out, replaced with a fresh one, error still present. Realised later when the photos were downloaded that the last few photos it had taken had huge shadows through them, almost like the shutter hadn't fully opened/closed when capturing the shot.

Since then my wife has tried all the fixes she could find online but to no avail. Given the flat charge for sending it to the UK for a repair, I'm kinda reluctant. The camera is about 4 years old at this stage. The same money could possibly be better spent buying a secondhand replacement or being put towards a newer replacement, so basically I'm looking for somewhere over here to have a look and tell me if it can be fixed and how much it might be.

Started another thread and zerohamster was suggested, so here I am

zerohamster · 11-06-2012 5:31pm

aidanic wrote: »

Have a Canon EOS 30 film 35mm camera. When you insert the batteries, the display, both on top and in the viewfinder light up all the segments.

If you tilt the camera, you can see that the "full on" is actually about 50%, and that the correct LCD segments are lit about 100%.

The full display is lit even in the off position. Need to remove the batteries. The camera does work, exposures are correct. You're just flying blind, so to speak.

The camera came to me this way - not sure what happened. I'm OK with tools, so should be able to fix it, if I can get a pointer or two.

Thanks

Aidan

I've never come across that happening before actually but it looks like the contrast is messed up on the LCD.

When the camera is in the off position does anything show up 100% on the top LCD bar frame counter and film roll indicator?

I would say it's a bad top LCD but I can't say for sure really.

Ill see if I can find any information or if this is a common fault etc...(or even if there is a way to change the contrast on the LCD as that seems to be the only problem.

zerohamster · 11-06-2012 5:44pm

Top Dog wrote: »

Make: Canon

Item: DSLR Body

Model: 450D

Fault: Error 99

When/how it happened:

Had borrowed the camera while out with friends, and suspect it may have taken a knock while in standby mode. Didn't realise it at the time, and while taking a series of photos it just stopped and flashed up the Error 99 on the screen. Took battery out, replaced with a fresh one, error still present. Realised later when the photos were downloaded that the last few photos it had taken had huge shadows through them, almost like the shutter hadn't fully opened/closed when capturing the shot.

Since then my wife has tried all the fixes she could find online but to no avail. Given the flat charge for sending it to the UK for a repair, I'm kinda reluctant. The camera is about 4 years old at this stage. The same money could possibly be better spent buying a secondhand replacement or being put towards a newer replacement, so basically I'm looking for somewhere over here to have a look and tell me if it can be fixed and how much it might be.

Started another thread and zerohamster was suggested, so here I am

Luckily (or not) for you I believe the fault wasn't caused by a drop or bang but simply component failure from wear and tear.
From your description of the last few photos with shadows on them it sounds like the shutter has failed and what you are seeing are the blades obstructing the photo.

This can happen for a number of reasons but most likely a part of the shutter failing.

I'd be happy to take a look at it for you or can give you more info in any case if you'd like to send me a PM?

aidanic · 11-06-2012 5:45pm

Thanks for looking - my own searches bring up this. Will give it a look.

Top Dog · 11-06-2012 5:46pm

Pm on its way

Top Dog · 11-06-2012 5:49pm

zerohamster wrote: »

Luckily (or not) for you I believe the fault wasn't caused by a drop or bang but simply component failure from wear and tear.

Well on the plus side - it'd mean it wasn't my fault which would be nice

zerohamster · 11-06-2012 5:52pm

aidanic wrote: »

Thanks for looking - my own searches bring up this. Will give it a look.

Yeah, if you follow the LCD guide and remove the LCD (clean contacts with isopropyl alcohol) and reinsert. I would use a crosspoint (XPT screwdriver blade) to open the camera as they fit much better than philips and won't strip the screw even on very tight screws that won't budge.

Post back with your results anyway as it may help others.

Good luck!

zerohamster · 11-06-2012 5:53pm

Top Dog wrote: »

Well on the plus side - it'd mean it wasn't my fault which would be nice

That's true, bullet possibly dodged

aidanic · 16-06-2012 5:29pm

zerohamster wrote: »

Post back with your results anyway as it may help others.

Got the LCD out, and back in with no problems. No change in the actual problem, and with a battery installed, the display is full on. It could just be the display chip, since the viewfinder display is also full on, or some control circuit related to it. Will give Canon a shout, as I'm not that local to you ZH.

magicbastarder · 16-06-2012 6:47pm

zh, have you ever worked on olympus OM4Tis?
mine is making a chirping noise when i insert batteries, or if not, when i fire the shutter, it sticks open till i set it back to B. not sure if they're worth fixing if the electronics are shot. which is a pity, they're a nice camera.

Irishwonkafan · 18-06-2012 9:53am

Make: Sigma

Item: Lens

Model: 24-70/2.8 EX DG

Fault: Focus ring stuck

When/how it happened: Taking a photograph I noticed it couldn't focus on the foreground. The focus ring was stopping at 5' and had only got the range from 5' - infinity. It wasn't dropped or didn't receive any bangs - just decided to stop. Initially I could get a little more movement if not a little noisy but then the movement stopped. It hasn't been forced. Hope you cna advise on costs to service/repair.

ajncam · 20-06-2012 7:39pm

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

Top Dog · 20-06-2012 9:16pm

Zerohamster - your pm box has reached its limit so can't reply to you.

What I was going to send -

Thats perfectly ok

I'm not in a panic about it - just curious to know what went wrong

Thanks

zerohamster · 21-06-2012 3:05pm

magicbastarder wrote: »

zh, have you ever worked on olympus OM4Tis?
mine is making a chirping noise when i insert batteries, or if not, when i fire the shutter, it sticks open till i set it back to B. not sure if they're worth fixing if the electronics are shot. which is a pity, they're a nice camera.

Sorry for the overly late reply,
I haven't worked on any OM4Ti models but I have read that depending on what batteries you are using in them it can cause problems as more power is drawn during that part of the shutter/mirror cycle which can cause that behaviour so if you haven't already then try a different type of batteries as that may solve your problem.

Chirping noise can be indicative of the battery being low also so if they are new batteries then check that there is no corrosion on the contacts.

zerohamster · 21-06-2012 3:08pm

Irishwonkafan wrote: »

Make: Sigma

Item: Lens

Model: 24-70/2.8 EX DG

Fault: Focus ring stuck

When/how it happened: Taking a photograph I noticed it couldn't focus on the foreground. The focus ring was stopping at 5' and had only got the range from 5' - infinity. It wasn't dropped or didn't receive any bangs - just decided to stop. Initially I could get a little more movement if not a little noisy but then the movement stopped. It hasn't been forced. Hope you cna advise on costs to service/repair.

It sounds like something has come loose inside the lens and is jamming movement from that range. If you want to fire me a PM I can give you more details on repair?

The Hamster Clinic (or the Repair Advice Thread)

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