If a part, for example in a camera, is damaged, there are three options for repair:
New original spare parts
These are rare to find and, if they are, expensive. „New old stock parts“ is the search term for them.
Sometimes individual parts or bundles of these items are offered after a repair shop has closed down.
Used original spare parts
These are usually obtained by buying a device for dismantling, but are also offered individually.
The prices for these, including shipping costs, are considerable. You can buy them cheaper from the bargain bins of second-hand shops.
Patching the broken part
This is an attempt to get the broken original part working again. This is probably the most common solution in DIY.
This is where the realm of the more or less talented, skilled and well-equipped hobbyist begins.
The spectrum ranges from solutions that are almost better than the original to totally botched work.
This is often the only way to get a photo device working again.
It also plays a role whether the solution is presentable, especially if the area is visible. The eye also wants to be satisfied.
The fourth solution
making a spare part yourself, is one I am offering here out of competition.
This means you are not using the solution provided by the manufacturer and probably exeeds also the options of a hobby workshop.
A restoration of the camera fails due to three soldering points
I'm currently concerned with this issue because I'm looking for a solution for the defective battery holder on a Canon EF.
The repair is failing because I can't solder any of the corresponding three cables onto the battery holder.
The original soldering points are destroyed by battery electrolyte and therefore had to be removed. Attaching new soldering points doesn't work.
A solution according to option three would be to completely re-equip the battery holder with contacts that are attached over the old ones. Conductive copper foil and jumper wire can be used for this. A DIY job that remains visible every time the batteries are changed.
Even if it works, is such a solution pleasing to the eye? Or is it only the restored functionality of the camera that matters?
What do you think?
- replacing it with a new original spare part,
- replacing it with a used original spare part,
- patching the broken part.
New original spare parts
These are rare to find and, if they are, expensive. „New old stock parts“ is the search term for them.
Sometimes individual parts or bundles of these items are offered after a repair shop has closed down.
Used original spare parts
These are usually obtained by buying a device for dismantling, but are also offered individually.
The prices for these, including shipping costs, are considerable. You can buy them cheaper from the bargain bins of second-hand shops.
Patching the broken part
This is an attempt to get the broken original part working again. This is probably the most common solution in DIY.
This is where the realm of the more or less talented, skilled and well-equipped hobbyist begins.
The spectrum ranges from solutions that are almost better than the original to totally botched work.
This is often the only way to get a photo device working again.
It also plays a role whether the solution is presentable, especially if the area is visible. The eye also wants to be satisfied.
The fourth solution
making a spare part yourself, is one I am offering here out of competition.
This means you are not using the solution provided by the manufacturer and probably exeeds also the options of a hobby workshop.
A restoration of the camera fails due to three soldering points
I'm currently concerned with this issue because I'm looking for a solution for the defective battery holder on a Canon EF.
The repair is failing because I can't solder any of the corresponding three cables onto the battery holder.
The original soldering points are destroyed by battery electrolyte and therefore had to be removed. Attaching new soldering points doesn't work.
A solution according to option three would be to completely re-equip the battery holder with contacts that are attached over the old ones. Conductive copper foil and jumper wire can be used for this. A DIY job that remains visible every time the batteries are changed.
Even if it works, is such a solution pleasing to the eye? Or is it only the restored functionality of the camera that matters?
What do you think?
Two Canon EFs not working: Damage to the power supply caused by battery electrolyte [repaired both]
I have had two two beautiful Canon EFs for many years. They have been working, but the battery control LED on one of them wouldn't come on. I didn't think anything of it, and when I started repairing, I wanted to take a look at the problem. Today I fitted both with 1.35 volt Weincell batteries...
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