A basic curriculum for DIY camera repairers

[Andreas Thaler]

Repairing cameras and photo equipment can be a simple and relaxing task.

Equipped with a screwdriver, tweezers, a magnifying glass and a broken camera, you set off on a journey of discovery, hoping to find and fix the problem.

If you succeed, you're happy; if you don't succeed, you've had a few interesting hours and maybe continue on another day. Or you forget about it and don't bother with it any more.


If you stick with it

and make camera repairs a serious hobby, you'll want to delve deeper into the subject and ask yourself what it takes.

Technical literature on camera repair, electronics, optics, precision mechanics and mathematics.


Because the more you know about things, the higher the chance of being successful with a repair.

I suggest the following curriculum in this order:

1. Handling of basic tools and working through an introductory book on the subject of camera repairs.
2. Basics of analog and digital electronics with the aim of understanding and being able to follow the basic terms and processes.
3. Soldering and desoldering cables and electronic components.
4. Optics and precision mechanics: understanding of basic components and principles.
5. Technical calculations, converting formulas, calculating with fractions and powers, using technical calculators or apps/software.

In older cameras, the proportion of mechanics is greater than that of electronics, and the focus changes accordingly.

Studying mathematics helps when reading technical books. When repairing photo equipment, you will rarely have to work as an engineer and design circuits or carry out calculations.


Each of these

is a huge field of expertise, so you should only choose the topics that you need to master the requirements of your work area.

You might also find that you can repair something without any in-depth specialist knowledge. But a little curiosity will always get you further

This knowledge also helps you to judge which repair instructions or videos from others are suitable for DIY and which ones you should discard. The web offers many sources of varying quality.

And very important to maintain motivation:

DIY repairs: There are no victories and no defeats

One of the biggest threats to motivation when doing DIY repairs is failure. You have not managed to restore the camera or lens, find the fault, understand its cause, and perhaps you have even damaged something else in the repair attempt. Hours of work, concentration and hope are in vain, and...

www.photrio.com

Have fun with one of the most fascinating activities involving technology!

 

[monopix]

I suggest the following curriculum in this order:

1. Handling of basic tools and working through an introductory book on the subject of camera repairs.
2. Basics of analog and digital electronics with the aim of understanding and being able to follow the basic terms and processes.
3. Soldering and desoldering cables and electronic components.
4. Optics and precision mechanics: understanding of basic components and principles.
5. Technical calculations, converting formulas, calculating with fractions and powers, using technical calculators or apps/software.

You've overlooked one thing which is probably more important than any of the topics you've mentioned. That is 'fault finding'. Knowing everything there is to know about electronics, mechanics and optics is of no help if you can't identify the problem. And knowing those things doesn't necessarily mean you will immediately know what the problem is. Every problem needs investigation. Starting with the symptoms there is a process required to identify the root cause. That process requires a knowledge of the device and how it should work. It requires observation to ascertain what is actually happening, or not happening, or, if nothing is working, some hypothesis as to what might be causing the problem. There are general principles to fault finding that usually need to be learnt. You only need to look at the questions that get asked in this forum and others that clearly shows the questioner has no idea how to go about finding the cause of their problem. They haven't learnt that process. They may have all the tools and expertise to fix the problem, they just don't know what it is that needs fixing. That's why they come here with a brief description of some symptom and asks if anyone knows what the problem is.
Lots has been written about fault finding. None applicable directly to cameras (that I'm aware) but many of the principles are the same whatever they are being applied to. It's worth doing a search.

 

[Andreas Thaler]

You've overlooked one thing which is probably more important than any of the topics you've mentioned. That is 'fault finding'. Knowing everything there is to know about electronics, mechanics and optics is of no help if you can't identify the problem. And knowing those things doesn't necessarily mean you will immediately know what the problem is. Every problem needs investigation. Starting with the symptoms there is a process required to identify the root cause. That process requires a knowledge of the device and how it should work. It requires observation to ascertain what is actually happening, or not happening, or, if nothing is working, some hypothesis as to what might be causing the problem. There are general principles to fault finding that usually need to be learnt. You only need to look at the questions that get asked in this forum and others that clearly shows the questioner has no idea how to go about finding the cause of their problem. They haven't learnt that process. They may have all the tools and expertise to fix the problem, they just don't know what it is that needs fixing. That's why they come here with a brief description of some symptom and asks if anyone knows what the problem is.
Lots has been written about fault finding. None applicable directly to cameras (that I'm aware) but many of the principles are the same whatever they are being applied to. It's worth doing a search.

A prerequisite for any troubleshooting is a basic understanding of the respective system.

In the case of cameras (my focus is on the electromechanical ones from the 1980s), this includes the mechanical processes around the shutter and electrical connections, i.e. what you see on the circuit boards.

If I don't know what the shutter does and why and have no idea about electrical voltages, electronic components and solder connections, I won't be able to identify a fault.

My curriculum should cover the necessary knowledge for this.

This book by Norman Goldberg also helps:

Camera Technology

For anyone who has ever wondered how cameras work, this book is a pleasant way to learn. It is generously endowed with enough fundamentals to satisfy the technical specialist, without intimidating the casual but curious amateur photographer. The author has repaired, modified, and designed and...

books.google.com

Only then can I go into depth and look in the system to see what the cause of the malfunction is.

However, the high level of integration, especially of the electronics, and the complex installation in the cameras quickly sets limits. Incidentally, troubleshooting is part of every basic training in electronics.

In chapter 1 „Advanced Troubleshooting and Repair Methods“ of his second book1, Thomas Tomosy shows a systematic approach to finding faults in different types of cameras. It is the only comprehensive presentation on this topic that I know of.

By the way a new comprehensive book on the subject of DIY repairing electrical/electronic devices will soon be published by German author Gerd Weichhaus2, who has been very successful on the market with his publications on the understandable communication of electronics. I don't know whether there will be an English version, but I will report on it then.

---

1Thomas Tomosy, Camera Maintenance and Repair, Book 2, Buffalo: Amherst, 1997

2

Warum Elektronik-Reparaturen doch lohnen: Nachhaltigkeit, Kosten und Tipps Und die Nachhaltigkeit?

Sind Elektronik Reparaturen heute nicht mehr möglich und lohnt es sich gar nicht mehr, eine Reparatur überhaupt zu versuchen. Lesen Sie mehr.

bandmaschinenseite.de

Elektronik-Bücher, Technikbücher sowie E-Books zum Thema Elektronik - bandmaschinenseite.de

Hier finden Sie Informationen über Bücher, die ich in den letzten Jahren geschrieben habe. SIe finden das Bandmaschinenbuch wund weitere.

bandmaschinenseite.de

 

[forest bagger]

The simpliest way to go finding the cause for any problem within a mechanical or electronical device is to ask the customer to tell me exactly what the device is doing now in respect to what it is supposed to do usually, I learned.

 

[monopix]

A prerequisite for any troubleshooting is a basic understanding of the respective system.

In the case of cameras (my focus is on the electromechanical ones from the 1980s), this includes the mechanical processes around the shutter and electrical connections, i.e. what you see on the circuit boards.

If I don't know what the shutter does and why and have no idea about electrical voltages, electronic components and solder connections, I won't be able to identify a fault.

My curriculum should cover the necessary knowledge for this.

This book by Norman Goldberg also helps:

Camera Technology

For anyone who has ever wondered how cameras work, this book is a pleasant way to learn. It is generously endowed with enough fundamentals to satisfy the technical specialist, without intimidating the casual but curious amateur photographer. The author has repaired, modified, and designed and...

books.google.com

Only then can I go into depth and look in the system to see what the cause of the malfunction is.

However, the high level of integration, especially of the electronics, and the complex installation in the cameras quickly sets limits. Incidentally, troubleshooting is part of every basic training in electronics.

In chapter 1 „Advanced Troubleshooting and Repair Methods“ of his second book1, Thomas Tomosy shows a systematic approach to finding faults in different types of cameras. It is the only comprehensive presentation on this topic that I know of.

By the way a new comprehensive book on the subject of DIY repairing electrical/electronic devices will soon be published by German author Gerd Weichhaus2, who has been very successful on the market with his publications on the understandable communication of electronics. I don't know whether there will be an English version, but I will report on it then.

---

1Thomas Tomosy, Camera Maintenance and Repair, Book 2, Buffalo: Amherst, 1997

2

Warum Elektronik-Reparaturen doch lohnen: Nachhaltigkeit, Kosten und Tipps Und die Nachhaltigkeit?

Sind Elektronik Reparaturen heute nicht mehr möglich und lohnt es sich gar nicht mehr, eine Reparatur überhaupt zu versuchen. Lesen Sie mehr.

bandmaschinenseite.de

Elektronik-Bücher, Technikbücher sowie E-Books zum Thema Elektronik - bandmaschinenseite.de

Hier finden Sie Informationen über Bücher, die ich in den letzten Jahren geschrieben habe. SIe finden das Bandmaschinenbuch wund weitere.

bandmaschinenseite.de

Don't disagree with any of that, however, I think you missed the point. I won't labour it.

 

[Chan Tran]

If you can teach me how to take my Minolta XE-7 apart and put it back together I will be good.

 

[monopix]

The simpliest way to go finding the cause for any problem within a mechanical or electronical device is to ask the customer to tell me exactly what the device is doing now in respect to what it is supposed to do usually, I learned.

That will only give you the symptoms but, often, not very accurately as users frequently use their own, often incorrect, knowledge of a system to explain the problem. Users may use their mental model of a system to describe it's function or non-function but their mental model is likely to be wrong unless they have detailed knowledge of how the system works. Having spent most of my working life as a service engineer, I'm used to listening to users descriptions of faults with some scepticism.

 

[monopix]

If you can teach me how to take my Minolta XE-7 apart and put it back together I will be good.

You can get the repair manual from here https://elektrotanya.com/minolta_xe_xe-1_xe-7.pdf/download.html

Gives you all the info to dismantle.

 

[Chan Tran]

You can get the repair manual from here https://elektrotanya.com/minolta_xe_xe-1_xe-7.pdf/download.html

Gives you all the info to dismantle.

I have the manual but it doesn't tell you how to take it apart and of course not putting it back together either. It's quite good explaining how it works and with it I kind of figure out what is wrong with my camera but I don't know how to take it apart to fix it.

 

[Andreas Thaler]

Don't disagree with any of that, however, I think you missed the point. I won't labour it.

You've overlooked one thing which is probably more important than any of the topics you've mentioned. That is 'fault finding'.

There are general principles to fault finding that usually need to be learnt.

I don't understand what you're getting at.

How can troubleshooting work if I have no idea about the basics of the error and its surroundings? That's a contradiction.

It's also not true that only systematic troubleshooting leads to success. Often it's experience that tells you where to put the screwdriver.

Tomosy also distinguishes between the two methods and we can trust him.

 

[Andreas Thaler]

I have the manual but it doesn't tell you how to take it apart and of course not putting it back together either. It's quite good explaining how it works and with it I kind of figure out what is wrong with my camera but I don't know how to take it apart to fix it.

Take a screwdriver and start exploring. That's how all repair careers start. Curiosity takes you further

 

[Andreas Thaler]

That will only give you the symptoms but, often, not very accurately as users frequently use their own, often incorrect, knowledge of a system to explain the problem. Users may use their mental model of a system to describe it's function or non-function but their mental model is likely to be wrong unless they have detailed knowledge of how the system works. Having spent most of my working life as a service engineer, I'm used to listening to users descriptions of faults with some scepticism.

But now Michael @forest bagger is a professional with decades of experience as a repairer of photo equipment and is very successful at it. Perhaps he does have a point with his statement?

---

I wrote this and other posts here to motivate people interested in DIY to try it themselves and to get involved with the topic.

This is not a curriculum for service technicians, precision mechanics or electronics engineers.

Self-help is increasingly becoming the last option if a photo device is to work again, because the number of competent repair shops is not increasing.

So no one should be put off from trying it themselves, asking questions here in the forum and doing everything in their power to get their problem solved

 

[Andreas Thaler]

By the way a new comprehensive book on the subject of DIY repairing electrical/electronic devices will soon be published by German author Gerd Weichhaus, who has been very successful on the market with his publications on the understandable communication of electronics.

The book is available as a PDF download (German, EUR 19,90):

https://gerdweichhaus.tentary.com/p/QQPSU8

Here is my review:

I can only congratulate you on this latest work.

It is a wonderful reading book that turns a complex and demanding topic into a journey of discovery.

Even without any special prior knowledge, the reader is introduced to the world of electrical engineering in a comprehensible way, technical terms are explained clearly, and processes are clearly conveyed.

Page by page, you delve deeper into the inner workings of electrical devices, learn where typical errors can occur and how they can be rectified.

The tools and devices required for this are presented, explained and their practical use is explained in comprehensible steps.

The important topic of safety is not forgotten and the essentials for low-risk handling of devices on mains voltage as well as those with battery/accumulator operation are conveyed.

Anyone looking for specific information on troubleshooting certain electrical devices will be supported by the clear and well-structured structure of the book, including a meaningful table of contents.

„Electronic Repairs“ fills a gap in the German-speaking book market. Anyone interested in the topic has so far had to rely primarily on English-language practical guides.

A book that no home workshop should be without.

I see the book as an asset for repairing electronic photo devices too. The basics, procedures and techniques are transferable. I really like the strict practical relevance.

As always, my opinion is purely subjective. I have no business relationship with the author, but I am always looking for valuable sources and suggestions on the subject of camera repairs.

 

[forest bagger]

Having spent most of my working life as a service engineer, I'm used to listening to users descriptions of faults with some scepticism.

I agree to that - it's important to start a complete check of the defective device by yourself when it's on your working table.
But sometimes that is not necessary - some weeks ago a very old (86) customer complained that his Nikon D810 did no auxiliary AF light since it returned to him from a repair in my workshop.
By asking precise questions via email I convinced him that he changed the AF setting from single point in the center of the picture to a point somewhere in a corner of the picture.
After he changed his settings as necessary he was happy again...

 

[4season]

I have the manual but it doesn't tell you how to take it apart and of course not putting it back together either. It's quite good explaining how it works and with it I kind of figure out what is wrong with my camera but I don't know how to take it apart to fix it.

You might be able to glean some useful information from @Andreas Thaler's coverage of the Leica R3, which is based on a similar Minolta camera.
1970s Minolta service manuals are among the most detailed, and DIY-friendly that I have seen, but in general, SMs gloss over many basic details which the user was expected to know from their factory training.

If I had an XE-7 and were just starting to learn about camera repairs, I might start with a beat-up camera and some basic tools. I'd consult the service manual, and also seek videos and web sites illustrating this or similar models being worked on. But even so, you will need to do some problem-solving on your own, and it can be daunting sometimes. But the good news is, as you gain experience, you start to see more similarities between different makes and models of camera.