Canon T90 and T70: Rescuing victims of leaked battery electrolyte

[LensReporter]

Yo creo que si tu publicaras tu trabajo con tus F4 o bien pensamos que eres un extraterrestre o IA porque nadie en el foro de nosotros ha llegado a donde tu estás, en México es muy difícil por no escribir imposible encontrar un técnico que sepa, que domine de reparación de equipos la verdad es que solo reparan digital, hay uno en la zona centro pero no le he escrito es tan caro esto que no veo la hora de quien me ayude, no quiero que mi F4 quedé en un cajón no la compré para eso la compré para usarla, respecto a los comentarios o la falta de estos ni caso les hagas, no pierdas tu tiempo, yo uso el foro de Nikonistas como mi bitácora, mi diario personal toda la información que recabo de la F4 ahí la publico, quisiera tomar un vuelo hasta Austria y que repararas mi F4 pero solo es soñar, el caso es que estoy parado por ello.

 

[LensReporter]

Veo todo tu equipo de electrónica y me quedé con la boca abierta, ya que dices que eres entusiasta de la electrónica yo creí que eras o bien técnico de Adorama o Sammy Camera!, luego los 8 cuerpos de F4, yo apenas si pude comprar uno!, el cual por cierto aparte del cambio de obturador también hay que lubricar del engrane que está arriba del fotointerruptor, hice una cuenta de todo lo que debo comprar y sale casi igual que mandarla reparar y pues no tengo mucho tiempo por mi trabajo y la familia, eso me molesta y mucho pero que le hacemos, es una lástima que hasta el otro lado del planeta existe alguien que tiene esa chispa que uno también tiene!

 

[Andreas Thaler]

Hola mi nombre es Israel soy de México tu trabajo es fabuloso soy fan de la Nikon F4 gracias a ti he podido aprender como es su interior siempre estoy buscando tu contenido tuve la Canon T-90 y Canon T-50 y nuevamente gracias a ti se como es su electrónica tienes todo un equipo que solo pude tener en mis sueños el obturador de mi F4 esta roto ya lo compre en e-Bay pero he decidido no cambiarlo por mi cuenta ya que no tengo experiencia en soldadura lastima que vivas tan lejos seria un honor verte trabajar reparando estas joyas que no son del pasado son de nuestro tiempo.

Thank you for your feedback!

I think that cameras like the Canon T90 and Nikon F4 are an experience once again. It's incredible what the Japanese engineers have come up with here.

 

[Andreas Thaler]

Yo creo que si tu publicaras tu trabajo con tus F4 o bien pensamos que eres un extraterrestre o IA porque nadie en el foro de nosotros ha llegado a donde tu estás, en México es muy difícil por no escribir imposible encontrar un técnico que sepa, que domine de reparación de equipos la verdad es que solo reparan digital, hay uno en la zona centro pero no le he escrito es tan caro esto que no veo la hora de quien me ayude, no quiero que mi F4 quedé en un cajón no la compré para eso la compré para usarla, respecto a los comentarios o la falta de estos ni caso les hagas, no pierdas tu tiempo, yo uso el foro de Nikonistas como mi bitácora, mi diario personal toda la información que recabo de la F4 ahí la publico, quisiera tomar un vuelo hasta Austria y que repararas mi F4 pero solo es soñar, el caso es que estoy parado por ello.

View attachment 375454

What problems does your Nikon F4 have?

The removal of the front panel of the F4 to reach the shutter is described step by step in the service manual and an issue of the SPT Journal.

Our member @F4user has posted the individual steps with photos as a tutorial here. I followed it and just added the reassembly part, so I am not the original creator

 

[Andreas Thaler]

Veo todo tu equipo de electrónica y me quedé con la boca abierta, ya que dices que eres entusiasta de la electrónica yo creí que eras o bien técnico de Adorama o Sammy Camera!, luego los 8 cuerpos de F4, yo apenas si pude comprar uno!, el cual por cierto aparte del cambio de obturador también hay que lubricar del engrane que está arriba del fotointerruptor, hice una cuenta de todo lo que debo comprar y sale casi igual que mandarla reparar y pues no tengo mucho tiempo por mi trabajo y la familia, eso me molesta y mucho pero que le hacemos, es una lástima que hasta el otro lado del planeta existe alguien que tiene esa chispa que uno también tiene!

Working with cameras like the F4 or T90 is doable if you put your mind to it.

Unfortunately, most repair shops I contacted refuse to repair them because it is not profitable for them. They then say „unfortunately, no more spare parts“. That is an excuse, because there are enough spare parts from discontinued cameras of the same type.

Some people will also shy away from the effort of learning how to repair these complex cameras because it takes time and this knowledge can only be retained through application in such a way that one can work with some degree of confidence.

Since I could not find anyone who wanted to look after my F4 and other favorites, I learned to do it myself. There is no other option. At least none that would be affordable for me, because there will always be someone who will do such work for the appropriate payment.

For me, „repairing“ means being able to do one or two percent of what is possible. I'm happy that I can fix the common problems to that extent. Everything else is a long way off, but in my experience it only happens rarely.

 

[LensReporter]

That's right, it can be done if you have the will and desire to do it, to begin with I have no choice but to slowly acquire everything that is required to repair it and a body in regular condition to practice how to assemble and disassemble it, that has been a long time thinking about it and I have no choice but to start the idea, many years ago I had my T-90, it was a gift from my father, it had the error of the curtains getting stuck by the rubber shock absorber that comes apart and releases the glue, that time I had a bad time because I didn't know what it was about, here I get the T-90 at a fair price in good condition, I will also get one of them in due time.

 

[LensReporter]

That's right, it can be done if you have the will and desire to do it, to begin with I have no choice but to slowly acquire everything that is required to repair it and a body in regular condition to practice how to assemble and disassemble it, that has been a long time thinking about it and I have no choice but to start the idea, many years ago I had my T-90, it was a gift from my father, it had the error of the curtains getting stuck by the rubber shock absorber that comes apart and releases the glue, that time I had a bad time because I didn't know what it was about, here I get the T-90 at a fair price in good condition, I will also get one of them in due time.

Yes, I know that it was that colleague who uploaded the shots and his thread, but you expanded it along with the opinions of others, it reminds me of Boss of Nikonistas who opened the thread of the F4, abandoned it and it was I who took it up again so that it does not get lost in oblivion, I also see that you repair other brands but those are already major leagues.

 

[LensReporter]

What problems does your Nikon F4 have?

The removal of the front panel of the F4 to reach the shutter is described step by step in the service manual and an issue of the SPT Journal.

Our member @F4user has posted the individual steps with photos as a tutorial here. I followed it and just added the reassembly part, so I am not the original creator

My F4 doesn't work, it's the shutter, I want to change it myself because here in Mexico they charge me USD 132 to change it and it's too much, I understand that it's not easy but I can't afford that price, I've been reading how to do it but I see that adjustments have to be made that the shop where it was checked tells me should be made and at this moment I'm in the dilemma of deciding what to do, in the end I've decided that it's better to have the shop repair it, I'll get what I need to learn how to take it apart and I'll buy a body in regular condition on e-Bay to practice on my free weekends.

 

[LensReporter]

I was about to buy a Nikon N8008 in excellent condition either on e-Bay or here in Mexico but I couldn't stand the idea of my F4 being a simple tie-clip in a forgotten drawer. The aesthetics of the camera are excellent, the good thing is that I already have the shutter. It took me a long time to get one, they are not common to find.

 

[Andreas Thaler]

That's right, it can be done if you have the will and desire to do it, to begin with I have no choice but to slowly acquire everything that is required to repair it and a body in regular condition to practice how to assemble and disassemble it, that has been a long time thinking about it and I have no choice but to start the idea …

So I would like to recommend

Photo equipment: Basics for getting started with DIY repairs

As others I enjoy to report on my repair efforts here, but maybe someone would like to get into the topic? The desire is there, but there is still a lack of information on how best to start, what tools are needed and how much it might cost? That can be easily clarified. But it is even more...

www.photrio.com

 

[Rrrgcy]

Don’t fidget over lack of comments and response.

(I voluntarily and for free machined fittings, part-time over four months, for my office in order to save an obsolete $M+ unit, because I simply enjoyed it. Literally, nobody seemed to care. This was a bespoke machining solution which included hand grinding off-market lathe tool bits, doing 21 operations and multi-metrological measurements per part. The results ought save them $250k/year.)

The point is contributing no matter the feedback. Your work is wonderfully informative no matter the result, you‘re contributing something very different, we all love seeing guts and what you’re trying to figure out or do, which is what counts. Even if for months your adding content produces zero comment, keep going. You don’t need feedback, just post to the wind - it’s good.

 

[Andreas Thaler]

Don’t fidget over lack of comments and response.

(I voluntarily and for free machined fittings, part-time over four months, for my office in order to save an obsolete $M+ unit, because I simply enjoyed it. Literally, nobody seemed to care. This was a bespoke machining solution which included hand grinding off-market lathe tool bits, doing 21 operations and multi-metrological measurements per part. The results ought save them $250k/year.)

The point is contributing no matter the feedback. Your work is wonderfully informative no matter the result, you‘re contributing something very different, we all love seeing guts and what you’re trying to figure out or do, which is what counts. Even if for months your adding content produces zero comment, keep going. You don’t need feedback, just post to the wind - it’s good.

Thank you very much, then it makes sense to continue reporting here

 

[RalphLambrecht]

Thanks!

I had reasonable success cleaning battery leakage with vinegar on Q-tips and using an electric toothbrush—final clean-up with alcohol and distilled water.

 

[BrianShaw]

Unfortunately, most repair shops I contacted refuse to repair them because it is not profitable for them. They then say „unfortunately, no more spare parts“. That is an excuse, because there are enough spare parts from discontinued cameras of the same type.

Not just for cameras is that becoming commonplace to be heard; that seems to be codewords for other concerns, too, like "I don't have the right experience" or "it's just too much work and you wouldn't pay the price if I told you how much it is" or "I can't risk the anticipated warrantee service that may be required if I attempt this repair" or "if I service this one thing then something else will go wrong, either as a result or because of fate and I don't want to deal with it" or "I have somethine else I can sell you rather than repairing what you have" or...

 

[Andreas Thaler]

Not just for cameras is that becoming commonplace to be heard; that seems to be codewords for other concerns, too, like "I don't have the right experience" or "it's just too much work and you wouldn't pay the price if I told you how much it is" or "I can't risk the anticipated warrantee service that may be required if I attempt this repair" or "if I service this one thing then something else will go wrong, either as a result or because of fate and I don't want to deal with it" or "I have somethine else I can sell you rather than repairing what you have" or...

And because I didn't want to listen to that any longer, I bought myself a screwdriver

 

[Andreas Thaler]

I still have one T90 as an electrolyte corpse, then I'll stop working on this model.

I no longer know what I did with which T90, the repair log helps here

 

[Andreas Thaler]

Canon T90 with blocked battery holder

We're now going to restore the third victim of forgotten batteries.

It's always exciting right up to the end, because first the power supply has to be set up again, then it's clear whether the mirror magnet needs cleaning and finally whether the shutter works or produces an EEE error message.

Let's see how this project goes

---

Arrival of the candidate on the work table.

Used condition, dirt.

The previous owner added labels for the highlight and the shadow control buttons.

As with the T90 before it, the battery holder is blocked by leaking batteries.

The lock has broken off due to the effects of the electrolyte.

I set about removing the rotten battery compartment and battery holder and will replace these parts from my stash.

The self-adhesive leatherette on the bottom of the battery compartment is brittle and fragile. I can only remove it in individual pieces.

But there is a replacement.

Below these two openings are two screws that secure the battery compartment to the casing.

Since batteries are inserted, I cannot remove the screws.

This means that the only way to proceed is to use controlled force.

My screwdriver for rough jobs is once again taking on the function of a crowbar. I want to use this to lever out the battery holder.

The part with the locking mechanism comes out.

And now the battery holder is out.

The batteries are long past their best.

The retaining ring has seized onto the tripod thread due to the electrolyte. So I pry off the two halves of the battery compartment.

I don't have to be careful here, the battery compartment is replaced completely.

Done.

The battery compartment is removed and only connected to the housing via six cables.

In order to be able to desolder the cables here, I scratch open the soldering points that are contaminated with electrolyte. So the hot soldering iron tip can make contact with the solder.

Flux helps with the desoldering process.

The cables are desoldered.

The rotten battery holder can be disposed of.

 

[Andreas Thaler]

I dismantle the tripod thread with its corroded and seized holder for the battery compartment.

A replacement is available.

There is nothing left to repair or reuse on the removed parts. Except for the screw cap covering the connection socket on the battery holder, bottom left in the picture.

They go in the trash and the rotten batteries go into the collection box for disposal.

The two halves of the circuit board on the bottom of the T90 are in very good condition.

I only have to replace two soldering points that are contaminated by the electrolyte. The stuff got to the circuit board via the cables from the battery compartment.

The electrolyte makes the solder brittle and fragile, and the electrical connection is then no longer reliable or fails.

Original spare parts from my stock arrive.

The two renewed solder joints.

The previous solder joints were contaminated with electrolyte.

Then solder the connection cables of the battery compartment to the circuit board.

The spare battery compartment is connected to the T90.

The first exciting moment. Is the power supply working, can the T90 be switched on?

And yes, it works.

The switchable display lighting - a tiny light bulb - also lights up.

The first hurdle has been overcome.

And the T90 can also be triggered.

However, after a few triggers, the EEE error message appears on the LCD.

But after a few more triggers, the shutter works.

The shutter was probably contaminated from being left standing for so long or something was stuck. I don't know.

Now I just need to clean and reassemble it and then I can add this T90 to my collection.

The control wheel has a few dropouts. I should be able to clean the contacts underneath by just moving it.

Dismantling and cleaning as shown here is not necessary:

Canon T90: Fixing dropouts on the control wheel

A more annoying than serious problem with the Canon T90 is the control wheel on the handle, which turns in notches that sometimes no longer make contact. You then have to turn the wheel one or two positions further in order to be able to set a shutter speed or an aperture value, for example. I...

www.photrio.com

---

A nice finale in this project.

I was able to restore all three electrolytic victims - a Canon T70 and two T90

No repair shop would have accepted these three SLRs; the previous owner probably would have thrown them away.

We prevented that!

---

After lunch we continue with cleaning and final assembly.

 

[koraks]

I was able to restore all three electrolytic victims - a Canon T70 and two T90

Congratulations! Happy to hear that and the end result looks nothing short of fantastic.

You're exceedingly well-illustrated reports will prove to be an invaluable asset to anyone attempting work on these cameras in the future. You deserve an Olympic medal!

 

[Andreas Thaler]

Congratulations! Happy to hear that and the end result looks nothing short of fantastic.

Thank you for your feedback! I'm very happy about that

And this time I've shown decent soldering points. It was easy to do here

 

[Andreas Thaler]

After a short test, the camera functions are accessible.

I can't test everything, the T90 is too well equipped for that.

But it hasn't happened yet that individual electronic functions are no longer there when the rest is working.

This is an advantage of integrated electronics with ICs.

Either everything works or nothing, at least in the areas covered by the ICs.

 

[koraks]

And this time I've shown decent soldering points.

Certainly! It all looks magnificent.

 

[Andreas Thaler]

Underneath the covers it is clean, except for some dirt on the edge and corrosion in one spot.

To make it easier to clean the top cover, I unsolder it from the circuit board.

Some dirt.

There should be no moisture here, as drying under the transparent cover film is difficult.

Therefore, I do not clean the top cover in a bowl of detergent, but in a controlled manner with the dust brush and foam.

The stickers softened after cleaning can be easily removed with the flexible Halberd Spudger, which is soft and does not scratch anything.

Finally, I remove adhesive residue with isopropyl alcohol.

 

[Andreas Thaler]

Clean

This looks better now.

Detail work with cleaning sticks and foam.

Some material is consumed.

The assembly begins.

All cables from the top cover to the circuit board are re-soldered.

These screws are freed of electrolyte using Durgol descaler.

Then rinsed in distilled water.

The front cover during cleaning.

The stop down slide is removed, dried and reinstalled.

The rubber cover cap is attached with some Pliobond.

Active again and fully functional.

The self-timer LED is currently lighting up.

HAL, is that you?

The three rescued Canons ask all camera owners not to forget about batteries that are inserted.

They are happy to accept the Olympic medal (in the middle) awarded by @koraks for their ingenious designers from Japan


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All information provided without guarantee and use at your own risk.

 

[forest bagger]

The self-timer LED is currently lighting up.
HAL, is that you?

Yes, for sure!