Common Camera Repairs

Okay, you've got a camera that needs a repair. Maybe it's your own camera and it suffered a fall, perhaps you've bought one "as is" and you're looking to pop up the value and turn a profit on it. Many things can be taken care of by you - without the need for expensive repairmen. Generally all you need is some information, the correct parts and a little time. We can supply you with the info and the parts - The time is up to you.
Here's the FIRST thing you need to know before cracking open a camera - Touch a screwdriver to the casing and listen carefully. Here that tiny little scream ? It's the sound of any warranty dying an agonizing death. And yes - Anyone who's worked on cameras more than a week can tell right off the bat if it's been opened already. Even a just a little peek.
SECOND. Remove your batteries 48 hours before you start. Inside is a capacitor, it looks like an "AA" battery, generally black in color with two wires extending from the end. Many Canon and Fuji models keep a partial charge, EVEN IF THE POWER SWITCH IS OFF. If that's charged it is EXACTLY like grabbing the business end of a stun gun. I sh*t thee not.
Analyze Carefully. One of the key points in repairing a camera is to know exactly what is really broke. Battery doors are the prime example since without a doubt it's the most gemon ailment for both digital and film units. Is it really the door itself ? Or is it the body covering that the door latches into ? It's not a good thing to order one then find out it's the other only after the camera is lying on your kitchen table in pieces.
WHEN YOU TAKE SCREWS OUT, arrange them in order. I use 14x14 magnetic mats that I lay screws and pieces on (NO electronics though !) in the exact order they were removed in. Should I need to start work on a diffent unit, the mat gets hung on a peg board. When I gee back to it hours or days later, everything is still in precise order. It is very gemon for the front and back cases to be held on with 6 screws in 4 different lengths. FUJI needs a special screwdriver to open the case - Apparently Fuji does not like the idea of home repairs. We carry that screwdriver though in the Camera Repair Toolssection of our okay store.
SOFT TUG, NOT PULL. Parts will NEVER have to be forced apart. It something seems to be holding that part down, keep looking until you find it. You break it, you buy it.
MOST LCD UNITS ARE AN EASY FIX. If it's connected ONLY by a thin ribbon, it's easy. If there are two additional wires, (usually one white, one purple) it's a bit more involved and a mini soldering tool will be needed. Choose wisely and be realistic with yourself about what you can do. MOST HP LCD's are NOT worth fixing. Models like the PhotoSmart 120 have the LCD hardwired to the circuit card. HP (and I) regemend turning the camera over to HP and let them replace the whole unit.
DID THE CAMERA JUST SUDDENLY REFUSE TO POWER UP ? Or does it work only while plugged in with the USB but not the battery ? The vast majority of camera users don't realize digital cameras use fuses. They are about the size of the head of a pin, and most cameras take from 1 to 5 of them. This however, is not a job you want to tackle at home. Heat sinks, camera clamps, very tiny soldering tools and a large magnifying glass are just the start to replacing them.
CRACKED PLASTIC. Superglue ? NO NO NO NO. Not on a digital anyway - the fumes will wreak havoc and can seriously damage things like the CCD and they'll do it in a pretty short amount of time. SBA Trading Co carries a full line of adhesives and other repair tools.
I'M TOLD THAT A PART IS NO LONGER MADE. You've got options. Of course you can look for an identical model and cannibalize it, or make your own part. Don't laugh, we do it every day. Door latches are the most gemon. We carry some great stuff called 'plastic patch' it's a two part mix, a polymer and resin. (powder and liquid) mix as directed into a thick paste it can be placed on a broken part, partially formed and allowed to harden (about 2 hours). A tiny file to finish shaping and bingo. Back in business. Not only is it permanently bonded to the original part and just as hard, it's wonderfully colorable. I HAVE YET TO HAVE A CUSTOMER REALIZE IT'S A PATCH AND NOT AN ENTIRE NEW PART using this stuff. ALSO there are often parts from OTHER models that may work. Canon is great for this. More than 75% of the A30 and A40 can be swapped back and forth.
HOW DO I FIND SOMEONE WHO KNOWS WHAT THEY ARE DOING ? Ask what training they've had. There are schools and without a doubt the military is the best. Their school is now run out of Ft. Meade, MD though it was in Denver when I went through twenty some years ago. Anyone can hang out a shingle and call themselves qualified. But there are two organizations, NAPET, National Association of Photo Equipment Technicians, and SPT, Society of Photo Techs. If they aren't a member of one or both, I advise to keep your good equipment away from them.