Canon T90: recommendations and notes

Andreas Thaler · Nov 11, 2023

Based on my previous (repair) experiences with the Canon T90 with regard to preservation/problems/repair options, I would like to give a summary of the following recommendations/hints:

Sticky shutter - gummed-up shutter blades: Can be permanently repaired, damper in the shutter area that has become sticky can be removed without dismantling. Lighter fluid/acetone on blotting paper and, if necessary, a probe are used.
Shutter does not release - flashing arrow in the display: The cause is the mirror magnet, which no longer works due to magnetization. Can be fixed with a magnetized screwdriver blade or replaced with only little disassembly.
Shutter does not release - “EEE” is displayed on the display and “HELP” in the viewfinder: If gummed-up shutter blades are no longer moving see 1. Other cause: locking magnets that do no longer separate. This can only be fixed by deeply dismantling the camera; I am not aware of any report on this yet.
Light seals and mirror shock absorber should be durable in the long term. I haven't had a T90 with any problems yet.
Any corrosion in the battery compartment due to leaking batteries: One should always check whether the decomposing battery acid has already worked its way through the connection cables towards the circuit board. Dismantling necessary, if necessary cleaning and replacing the soldering points/wiring.
The T90 should be moved regularly to prevent problems with the magnets (2., 3.). I trigger my T90s every month and check the function.
A display that displays incorrectly can be replaced. Dismantling the top cover and soldering skills required.
Backup battery for ASA setting: Same as 7.
Dial wheel with dropouts - for example, increasing aperture values are not displayed per click. Contact error, probably due to oxidation. Point accessible by dismantling, but complication due to short cabling to the trigger. Therefore cleaning of the contacts can be tried by turning them often.

The T90, introduced in 1986, is a fascinating camera that still has the potential to overwhelm due to its diverse features.

Known as “the tank”, it is robust and valuable. The mechanics are heavy duty and designed for hard work.

Together with the FD lenses and system flash units, you get a fully motorized complete package for first-level analog photography

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

blee1996 · Nov 11, 2023

Thanks for sharing! Indeed T90 is a great camera both for everyday shooting and historical significance. And you have an excellent lens to pair with it.

Paul Howell · Nov 11, 2023

I had a T90 and a few FD lens for few years, mine worked without issues, I sold it as I has too many systems and not enough storage. The guy I sold it to still has it and it works. I quite it, easy to use, lots of features, and FD lens are some of best.

tokam · Nov 11, 2023

Bought my T90 + 300TL new in 1987. Last serviced by Canon Australia in 1999, (or 2000).

So far it has performed faultlessly although it doesn't get enough use as I have several other FD bodies - F1-N, EF, A1 and they tend to get used in rotation.

Looking at the shutter curtains from the back of the camera I think that I can see tiny particles on the edges of the shutter blades. Looks like the damper is probably disintegrating. Will have to check details of the fix for this. If the damper is removed there is always the question of replacement material and how to install it. I would have thought that running the shutter without the damper might shorten its life.

So far the internal battery in my copy is holding up fine. If it dies I'm not going to consider replacing it. It only serves to maintain a few values in memory such as ISO setting and frame counter while the main batteries are being replaced. When you load a new film make sure your batteries are charged, (I always use NiMh rechargeables).

Andreas Thaler · Nov 11, 2023

tokam said:
Looking at the shutter curtains from the back of the camera I think that I can see tiny particles on the edges of the shutter blades. Looks like the damper is probably disintegrating. Will have to check details of the fix for this. If the damper is removed there is always the question of replacement material and how to install it. I would have thought that running the shutter without the damper might shorten its life.

I investigated the sticky shutter issue a while ago and looked at the T90's shutter in detail.

The small damper sits under the rear shutter curtain and is part of a larger unit that is integrated into the shutter.

So far I haven't seen any disadvantage in removing the remains of this rotten damper. There is no choice, otherwise the shutter will become unusable.

If there is a replacement, the T90 will have to be heavily dismantled to reach the shutter. With all the flexible circuit boards and soldered cables installed one above the other in the camera, this is hard work that would have to be paid at a dear price to a professional.

Maybe you want to have a look at

Canon T90: erweiterte Reinigung verklebter Verschlusslamellen

Dieser Bericht schließt an Canon T90: Die beiden Hauptfehler nachhaltig beheben https://www.digicamclub.de/showthread.php?t=26330 *** Sticky Shutter bei EOS

www.digicamclub.de

where I have reported about this project.

(Unfortunately German only)

tokam · Nov 12, 2023

Thanks Andreas, Google translate made that link you provided perfectly understandable, (my high school level German is far too rusty and the vocabulary taught didn't extend to camera maintenance ).

I have a fairly full of surgical instruments including all sort sorts of curved forceps so I'm good to go with tools.

Now to study both the website instructions and examine the T90 carefully before any action is to be taken.

Andreas Thaler · Nov 12, 2023

tokam said:
Thanks Andreas, Google translate made that link you provided perfectly understandable, (my high school level German is far too rusty and the vocabulary taught didn't extend to camera maintenance ).

I have a fairly full of surgical instruments including all sort sorts of curved forceps so I'm good to go with tools.

Now to study both the website instructions and examine the T90 carefully before any action is to be taken.

I wish you much success!

+++

Off topic:

As an Austrian, my native language is German. My English is sufficient to help tourists in Vienna find their way

Without Google Translator I would be lost here in the forum when it comes to quick answers and choosing the right technical words and phrases. But even then it won't be perfect and I'm happy about any tips to learn more.

But I am a big fan of US specialist literature, where writing is seen as a service for the reader. Clear, precise, always on point. German however likes to seduce you into long and complicated sentences.

I see this from the perspective of a PR expert, my former trained profession. Writing was my main activity and that has stayed with me

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Helge · Nov 12, 2023

Meanwhile all the T70s are trucking along perfectly fourty years later.
Best FD camera Canon ever made.

tokam · Nov 12, 2023

Helge said:
Meanwhile all the T70s are trucking along perfectly forty years later.
Best FD camera Canon ever made.

I would be tempted to get one as a backup body. Their key feature which attracts me is the ability to meter in both average or partial, (12% ?), modes. They also ran on cheap replaceable batteries - AA or AAA, I can't remember which.
The T70 is cheap as chips on the used market. The feature set of the T70 was heavily cut down from that built into the T90 and this is reflected in the price.

Many would say the the F1-N is the best FD SLR that Canon ever made and in terms of rugged construction this is probably true. When I bought my T90 in 1987 a fully optioned F1-N with AE metering prism plus multiple pattern focusing screens and a motordrive cost a lot more, and weighed a lot more then a T90. The T90 still had a more sophisticated shutter and the ability to do very accurate TTL flash metering.

I would nominate the T90 as the best value for money, high performance FD camera that Canon made and I certainly feel that I have had my money's worth out of it. With some careful maintenance and a bit of luck I will get a few more years use out of it.

P.S. IMO the T70 and T80 were both butt ugly. What were Canon thinking of? The curvaceous body of the T90 set the pattern for most later AF SLR's and later DSLR's from most manufacturers.

Helge · Nov 12, 2023

tokam said:
I would be tempted to get one as a backup body. Their key feature which attracts me is the ability to meter in both average or partial, (12% ?), modes. They also ran on cheap replaceable batteries - AA or AAA, I can't remember which.
The T70 is cheap as chips on the used market. The feature set of the T70 was heavily cut down from that built into the T90 and this is reflected in the price.

Many would say the the F1-N is the best FD SLR that Canon ever made and in terms of rugged construction this is probably true. When I bought my T90 in 1987 a fully optioned F1-N with AE metering prism plus multiple pattern focusing screens and a motordrive cost a lot more, and weighed a lot more then a T90. The T90 still had a more sophisticated shutter and the ability to do very accurate TTL flash metering.

I would nominate the T90 as the best value for money, high performance FD camera that Canon made and I certainly feel that I have had my money's worth out of it. With some careful maintenance and a bit of luck I will get a few more years use out of it.

P.S. IMO the T70 and T80 were both butt ugly. What were Canon thinking of? The curvaceous body of the T90 set the pattern for most later AF SLR's and later DSLR's from most manufacturers.

Here we go again. ;-) Do a search for a really long discussion a few years back.
The T-70 is a masterpiece of industrial design and it is clearly what inspired the first EOS bodies.
It looks wonderfully postmodern, Bladerunner and Akira, cyberpunk in its sensibility.
I love every aspect of it.

Great focus screen, only rivalled by the Acutematte by Minolta, very usable program modes, spot-ish metering for tricky situations, no TTL flash but still full integration with the advanced FD flashes, light, durable, runs on two AAs, nice to hold, easy loading, cheap and plentiful, design matched strap and strap-lugs.
Only thing I really miss is double exposure.

Camera design of the last roughly thirty-five years, is nothing to gloat over having inspired. The blobby, unmotivated aquiline, pseudo organic/ergonomic shapes is just objectively some of the worst design in industrial design history.
Canon didn't even accept Colanis initial design. They felt the need to tone it down and make it actually manufacturable.
I bet Nikon didn't have that problem with Giorgetto Giugiaro.

tokam · Nov 13, 2023

Haha, I won't bite. Each to their own.

I have a spare rear lens cap that looks a bit like a T70 that I could send you. It's called a Canon T50.

Helge · Nov 13, 2023

tokam said:
Haha, I won't bite. Each to their own.

I have a spare rear lens cap that looks a bit like a T70 that I could send you. It's called a Canon T50.

Hard to argue with facts, aye? ;-) /trolling

M-88 · Nov 13, 2023

Another glorification of a lug of a camera that's only one step away from becoming an expensive, irreparable paperweight

Where's Huss when we need him most?

Andreas Thaler · Nov 13, 2023

Helge said:
The T-70 is a masterpiece of industrial design and it is clearly what inspired the first EOS bodies.

Didn't that honor go to the T90?

Helge · Nov 13, 2023

Andreas Thaler said:
Didn't that honor go to the T90?

Andreas Thaler · Nov 13, 2023

I was fixated on EOS-1

Andreas Thaler · Nov 13, 2023

Canon T-70: Electronic Troubleshooting Guide

www.camerabooks.com

The best electronics repair guide out there and absolutely rare, like all C & C Electronic Troubleshooting Guides.

tokam · Nov 15, 2023

@Helge, apologies are in order. I haven't seen a T70 in ages and they are not that ugly after all. I may have to chase one down to add to my fleet. So much for thinning out my collection.

The EOS 620 which came out a few months after I bought my T90 is certainly a handsome beast. A sort of squared-off T90 as it still has the sloping shoulders from the prism holding the LCD display. It also has the control wheel and shutter button on the grip; very convenient placement. One drawback was the expensive batteries it used - lithium 2CR5 from memory.

benjiboy · Nov 15, 2023

Andreas Thaler said:
View attachment 352997

Based on my previous (repair) experiences with the Canon T90 with regard to preservation/problems/repair options, I would like to give a summary of the following recommendations/hints:

Sticky shutter - gummed-up shutter blades: Can be permanently repaired, damper in the shutter area that has become sticky can be removed without dismantling. Lighter fluid/acetone on blotting paper and, if necessary, a probe are used.

Shutter does not release - flashing arrow in the display: The cause is the mirror magnet, which no longer works due to magnetization. Can be fixed with a magnetized screwdriver blade or replaced with only little disassembly.

Shutter does not release - “EEE” is displayed on the display and “HELP” in the viewfinder: If gummed-up shutter blades are no longer moving see 1. Other cause: locking magnets that do no longer separate. This can only be fixed by deeply dismantling the camera; I am not aware of any report on this yet.

Light seals and mirror shock absorber should be durable in the long term. I haven't had a T90 with any problems yet.

Any corrosion in the battery compartment due to leaking batteries: One should always check whether the decomposing battery acid has already worked its way through the connection cables towards the circuit board. Dismantling necessary, if necessary cleaning and replacing the soldering points/wiring.

The T90 should be moved regularly to prevent problems with the magnets (2., 3.). I trigger my T90s every month and check the function.

A display that displays incorrectly can be replaced. Dismantling the top cover and soldering skills required.

Backup battery for ASA setting: Same as 7.

Dial wheel with dropouts - for example, increasing aperture values are not displayed per click. Contact error, probably due to oxidation. Point accessible by dismantling, but complication due to short cabling to the trigger. Therefore cleaning of the contacts can be tried by turning them often.

The T90, introduced in 1986, is a fascinating camera that still has the potential to overwhelm due to its diverse features.

Known as “the tank”, it is robust and valuable. The mechanics are heavy duty and designed for hard work.

Together with the FD lenses and system flash units, you get a fully motorized complete package for first-level analog photography

+++

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

It was called "the tank" after the Russian T90 main battle tank.

koraks · Nov 15, 2023

benjiboy said:
It was called "the tank" after the Russian T90 main battle tank.

The Canon T90 was introduced in 1986. Its nickname likely traces back to the late 1980s when this camera was in actual heavy use by photojournalists.
The T90 battle tank first saw use in 1992 and its name is evidently based on the year of development project initiation, i.e. 1990. By 1992, the EOS system was gearing up and many photojournalists at this point would have already switched to the AF-capable EOS1 etc.
All considered, I find it rather unlikely that the Canon's nickname would trace back to a Russian tank that postdated it and moreover has never been a very frequent point of reference in popular culture to begin with. Besides, online sources are unanimous in stating that the nickname was due to the camera's ruggedness. Not its likeness to an actual weapon system.

Helge · Nov 15, 2023

tokam said:
@Helge, apologies are in order. I haven't seen a T70 in ages and they are not that ugly after all. I may have to chase one down to add to my fleet. So much for thinning out my collection.

The EOS 620 which came out a few months after I bought my T90 is certainly a handsome beast. A sort of squared-off T90 as it still has the sloping shoulders from the prism holding the LCD display. It also has the control wheel and shutter button on the grip; very convenient placement. One drawback was the expensive batteries it used - lithium 2CR5 from memory.

620 is still a very impressive camera. If it had a wide, normal and long reasonably fast prime, I’d chose that any day over the T90.

Andreas Thaler · Nov 16, 2023

Helge said:
620 is still a very impressive camera. If it had a wide, normal and long reasonably fast prime, I’d chose that any day over the T90.

Unfortunately, existing FD lenses can no longer be used. A pain that many Canon photographers still haven't gotten over today

Helge · Nov 16, 2023

Andreas Thaler said:
Unfortunately, existing FD lenses can no longer be used. A pain that many Canon photographers still haven't gotten over today

The mount was better on all counts than the FD, the K and SR mounts being the only other well (enough) thought out mounts from the get go.

You can use FD with an adapter of course.

But really what I’m saying is that it’s not worth building an FD collection up with the idea that it’s the ultimate goal to put them on a T90.
FTb, A-1, nF1 and T70 are simply better cameras where it counts.

A 620 is such a much better camera that it’s worth getting your favorite focal lengths for it.
T90 was truely a stop-gab to stave Minolta and Nikon AF off for a few months.

Andreas Thaler · Nov 16, 2023

Helge said:
But really what I’m saying is that it’s not worth building an FD collection up with the idea that it’s the ultimate goal to put them on a T90.
FTb, A-1, nF1 and T70 are simply better cameras where it counts.

Why not and why should the cameras you mentioned be better for this purpose?

What do you even mean by “better cameras”?

Helge · Nov 16, 2023

Andreas Thaler said:
Why not and why should the cameras you mentioned be better for this purpose?

What do you even mean by “better cameras”?

Unless you need 4000 speed? there is very little you can’t do as well or better with the better build, more reliable, lighter, cheaper and more numerous other FD cameras.
No PC port either.

Canon T90: recommendations and notes

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