Rich sources: Japanese service manuals from the 1970s and 1980s

If you want to understand one of the complex digital-electro-mechanical Japanese SLRs from the 70s and 80s from the inside, you can't ignore the manufacturers' service manuals.

In contrast to manuals from later years, which only show a few details and text due to the increasing integration of electronic circuits and mechanical components, the older service documents are practically bubbling over as sources of knowledge and insight.


Processes can be understood

Since there are still a relatively large number of discrete electronic components with traceable conductor tracks that interact directly with mechanical components, processes can be understood fairly clearly. Integrated circuits do not yet appear as total black boxes, and at least the pin assignment reveals what is connected to what.

Highly interesting for everyone who appreciates the combination of analog electronics, mechanics and the first digital components and - together with graphics and technical drawings - wants to get to the bottom of things

At the time, there was obviously a consensus that every component of the camera could and should be replaced. Accordingly, emphasis was placed on providing precise instructions for this. In addition technical processes and connections are also described in depth. This means that the device's functions can actually be overviewed and understood.


Examples

An example from Canon's repair guide for the A-1, p. 63 (paragraphs partially inserted for better readability):

(7) Others

1) Hybred magnet

When the shutter button is released, a magnet starts functioning the camera.

This magnet, like the one used in the AE-1, is a hybred magnet employing a permanent magnet and an electromagnet.

However, the hybread magnet installed in the A-1 employes an additional alloy, made of rare earth element (samarium) and cobalt, in the magnetic body section.

2) Temperature compensating resistor

A wire-wourd resistor was used for the temperature
compensating resistance in the AE-1.

In the A-1, reliability is further increased by employing a special metal film resistor.

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More on page 85:

The CANON A-1 is the pinnacle we have been striving for in an AE S L - - a completely digitally controlled camera.

The mechanical parts are based on, and nearly identical to, the AE-1. To troubleshoot and repair the A-1, experienced gained on the AE-1 is important, and consideration of digital timing is necessary.

The electrical circuit of the A-1 is quite different from the AE-1.

The main components are five intergrated circuits, (OPT, INPUT, CPU, OSC/INTERFACE and DECODERDRIVER).

Digital signals criss-cross to and from these IC and to their mechanical interfaces. To repair the camera, signal sequence and timing must be understood.

Digital basics, including code reading, and oscilloscope operation are other necessary skills.

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Finally on page 59:

4) Ultra smooth double sided flush surface plate

The aperture control system of the A-1 is operated in the following manner.

The brush, that is driven by the lens aperture signal lever, slides over the segmented aperture value electrode plate pattern at a high speed.

The number of pulses of the ON/OFF signals that are generated at this time are counted and the f-numbers are digitally detected.

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Technical reading books that show the manufacturers' pride in their solutions

Andreas Thaler said:

Technical reading books that show the manufacturers' pride in their solutions

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Thank you for that link: I wish that all camera repair manuals were so full of helpful, even geeky details! There would have been no reason for ordinary repair technicians to know many of those details, but clearly, the author of the manual possessed both a lot of enthusiasm, and a high degree of technical know-how! But even in the 1990s when my Nikon F3 developed an electronic fault, the technician did not attempt to isolate the problem down to the component level, rather, he simply replaced the the main electronics PCB, because labor, not parts, were the biggest expense.

Many years ago in the USA, there existed a publication called "Camera Craftsman" aka National Camera and some of the articles written by Larry Lyells in particular are excellent.

Perhaps a link to the web site of the person kind enough to be hosting this stuff would be appropriate: http://www.suaudeau.eu/memo/index.html

4season said:

Many years ago in the USA, there existed a publication called "Camera Craftsman" aka National Camera and some of the articles written by Larry Lyells in particular are excellent.

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Thank you for pointing out Larry Lyells and The Camera Craftsman!

Larry was incredibly prolific judging by his number of publications in The Camera Craftsman, where he was technical director.

He had the ability to make complex technical topics generally understandable (for the target group), stimulating and well-founded. I have great respect for his work.

All editions of The Camera Craftsman, published from the 1950s to 1980, are available on Learn Camera Repair:


Then came The New Camera Craftsman, of which I own a few copies. However, I find that the depth of the content is somewhat lacking compared to its predecessor.

Bushcat said:

Perhaps a link to the web site of the person kind enough to be hosting this stuff would be appropriate: http://www.suaudeau.eu/memo/index.html

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Thanks, I missed that.

Can someone point me a lubrication guide for canon Ftb? I have an Olympus om1 service manual with lubrication points indicating if it needs oil or grease that i find very usefull, but I can not find the equivalent for canon Ftb.

Neofito said:

Can someone point me a lubrication guide for canon Ftb? I have an Olympus om1 service manual with lubrication points indicating if it needs oil or grease that i find very usefull, but I can not find the equivalent for canon Ftb.

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I suspect the lubrication will be similar.

The service manual probably lists various lubricants that are no longer available. I would therefore only differentiate between grease, light oil and possibly graphite powder.

Sorry, that wasn't your question

But I would also assume that the lubrication points are similar. You could open both cameras next to each other and compare the mechanics.

Andreas Thaler said:

Thank you for pointing out Larry Lyells and The Camera Craftsman!

Larry was incredibly prolific judging by his number of publications in The Camera Craftsman, where he was technical director.

He had the ability to make complex technical topics generally understandable (for the target group), stimulating and well-founded. I have great respect for his work.

All editions of The Camera Craftsman, published from the 1950s to 1980, are available on Learn Camera Repair:

Camera Craftsman Magazine | Learn Camera Repair

Camera Craftsman was an American publication for camera repair technicians. Please Note: In order to keep the site online, we are now asking $3.23 each for most of the files on the site. Tutorials written by members of the Learn Camera Repair Facebook Group are $1.25 each. After you complete...

learncamerarepair.com

Then came The New Camera Craftsman, of which I own a few copies. However, I find that the depth of the content is somewhat lacking compared to its predecessor.

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I wonder if the English-language Canon A-1 service manual was authored by Lyells or Norman Goldberg (Popular Photography Magazine). Because surely there couldn't have been too many individuals who possessed such a deep technical understanding of this specialized subject, combined with good writing skills.

Are you familiar with the French magazine "Phot Argus"? I only have a single reprinted article by Gérard Bouhot, regarding the Rolleiflex SL66. But what an article it is! It contains a large format exploded diagram similar to the one shown here:

https://www.dagcamera.com/store/p616/Photo_Argus_French_Magazine.html

4season said:

Are you familiar with the French magazine "Phot Argus"? I only have a single reprinted article by Gérard Bouhot, regarding the Rolleiflex SL66. But what an article it is! It contains a large format exploded diagram similar to the one shown here:

https://www.dagcamera.com/store/p616/Photo_Argus_French_Magazine.html

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Not yet thank you for that link!

I wonder where Lyells got all the detailed information. He describes, among other things, the functions of ICs in electronic SLRs.

The troubleshooting manuals from C & C Associates go even deeper into the technology. That's almost scary.

In any case, we still owe a lot to the authors today.

Andreas Thaler said:

Sorry, that wasn't your question

But I would also assume that the lubrication points are similar. You could open both cameras next to each other and compare the mechanics.

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I will try to get "inspiration" from the olympus service guide. For the grease I have lithium but for the oil I dont know which moebius oil to get. Since you are also in europe, can you point me to your oil and provider? because many times I see recomended american products that are not posible or just too pricy to get here.

Neofito said:

I will try to get "inspiration" from the olympus service guide. For the grease I have lithium but for the oil I dont know which moebius oil to get. Since you are also in europe, can you point me to your oil and provider? because many times I see recomended american products that are not posible or just too pricy to get here.

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I decided against using watch lubricants for my camera repairs because cameras do not seem to require such a degree of specialization, Moebius products are costly, and they have expiry dates. Rather, I use Neoval Rubin G8 as a general purpose oil. But I did purchase the largest size of watch oiler that Bergeon makes; It's very useful for clock and camera repairs.

In general when I'm doing camera repairs, rotating parts get fine oil, metal to metal parts get grease. Winding gears get grease. Shutters, apertures and escapement gears are dry.

4season said:

I decided against using watch lubricants for my camera repairs because cameras do not seem to require such a degree of specialization, Moebius products are costly, and they have expiry dates. Rather, I use Neoval Rubin G8 as a general purpose oil. But I did purchase the largest size of watch oiler that Bergeon makes; It's very useful for clock and camera repairs.

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ic-racer said:

In general when I'm doing camera repairs, rotating parts get fine oil, metal to metal parts get grease. Winding gears get grease. Shutters, apertures and escapement gears are dry.

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Thank you, very usefull coments!