When are you successful as a repairer? A simple question?

Andreas Thaler · Jan 14, 2024

Is a failed repair attempt a reason to be discouraged? No, because this can result in a new project that even brings more than a successful repair!

Valuable and interesting comments to

Nikon Speedlight SB-E: Dissection

I was actually looking forward to the restoration of this little flash to the Nikon EM. Damage to battery acid in the battery compartment gave rise to hope for a major cleaning operation behind the battery contacts, with patching and soldering work on the circuit board. Externally in mint...

www.photrio.com

have inspired me to a new topic:

When are you successful as a repairer?

The answer seems simple: Whenever you make something that was broken work again.

But what does that mean exactly?

That the broken device is brand new again? Or at least in the state when it still worked? Or is it a success even if, for example, only 50 percent of performance is restored? Can used parts be used for repairs? Does damage when repairing, such as scratches, reduce success?

As a professional repairer

you certainly have less leeway than if you try to repair things for your own pleasure.

Convincing a customer that he should pay for a repair that is only half-successful, possibly with additional damage, will lead to a lawyer either immediately or later. That is clear.

But amateurs

who do that without pressure to succeed?

E.g. the above mentioned broken Nikon Speedlight SB-E that I wanted to repair but couldn't open until I pried it open with force. Of course this can't be named a repair because the flash unit is now completely broken.

But is this a failure that I should be ashamed of? On my workbench or here in the forum?

No, because an attempted repair turned into a dissection that made it possible to uncover and study the individual parts of the device. As it doesn't have to be assembled afterwards (although that would be good exercise anyway).

So, I may learn more than if, in this case, I had repaired the damage caused by leaking battery acid. Because I can do that already.

Of course, it makes a difference

whether I'm working on a device that has material or intangible value to me.

But here I'm thinking about whether I should try to repair it myself or give it to someone who can do it better.

But if, as in this case, it is an inexpensive, defective flash unit, you win without risk in any case: Either the repair is successful, or you have learned something new by dismantling it. Like studying medicine: first you learn anatomy and dissection, then healing.

That's why I recommend not getting discouraged if a repair doesn't work and simply turning it into a new project. The day will come when you can use the experience you gain to actually repair this device.

Andreas Thaler · Jan 15, 2024

I'm glad that no one disagrees.

Or should I be worried about that?

bernard_L · Jan 15, 2024

IMO, success in amateur repair is when these two conditions are met by camera (or lens, accessory) post-repair

is usable to take pictures
works better than before

So, an attempted repair of a half-working camera that results in a paperweight is a failure.
But what about the camera brought to you by a friend/relative as non-working that you show to be actually working (example: some Voigtlander where the shutter will not cock without a film inside). Does that count as a repair?

Andreas Thaler · Jan 15, 2024

bernard_L said:
But what about the camera brought to you by a friend/relative as non-working that you show to be actually working (example: some Voigtlander where the shutter will not cock without a film inside). Does that count as a repair?

I would put that under advice

Andreas Thaler · Jan 15, 2024

Of course I had an ulterior motive when I wrote this post

If someone, as an amateur, approaches their repair work in a relaxed manner and does not put themselves under pressure to succeed, we could perhaps welcome new authors of repair reports here.

I believe that ANYONE can fix things. And everyone does it their own way. Therefore, everyone can learn from everyone.

It's not about completing complicated projects, but about progress.

If I make a scratch when unscrewing a screw today, it won't happen again tomorrow.

I am just not allowed to put myself under pressure or criticize myself destructively. Then you stick with it and make progress.

Carnie Bob · Jan 15, 2024

Andreas - I have the utmost respect for those who can repair things, I. have the ability to figure out what the problem usually is ( I am actually good at it) as well as designing
ideas, but frankly I cannot get past that point and pass the work to those who can.
In my job having someone who can fix things around me is critical.

Andreas Thaler · Jan 15, 2024

Carnie Bob said:
Andreas - I have the utmost respect for those who can repair things, I. have the ability to figure out what the problem usually is ( I am actually good at it) as well as designing
ideas, but frankly I cannot get past that point and pass the work to those who can.
In my job having someone who can fix things around me is critical.

Thats great!

Division of labor makes sense, so you can combine strengths

Andreas Thaler · Jan 15, 2024

Firstly, we tinkerers don’t have the same advanced facilities as the manufacturers, so we can only achieve a relative result. In other words, whatever we do we won’t be able to restore the piece to its original new condition, only hope to make it better than what it is now. The worse its current condition is, the better our chances are that there will be an improvement. So, if it is not too bad, don’t mess with it. You can make it even worse.

Disassembly, Cleaning and Restoration

Jump to repair links To go out and take photos on the street, at special events or during travel can be a lot of fun or even a form of art...

tinkeringwithcameras.blogspot.com

qqphot · Jan 15, 2024

There's a huge range of equipment that isn't "worth" repairing in the sense that its monetary value is less than the cost of commercial repair. I don't like this reasoning since it implies only expensive cameras should be repaired.

Some commercial repairers contribute to the "community" in order to help those trying to help themselves - i'm thinking of the likes of Chris Sherlock whose Kodak Retina repair videos are fantastic, and who before he retired was always ready to suggest things you could try yourself. Then there are others who embrace the gruff old man attitude and keep their techniques to themselves, along with months or years long wait lists. I wish we had more of the former so that the next generation would be better equipped to take over the work.

Andreas Thaler · Jan 19, 2024

What I notice when reading various repair postings in forums is, thus workshops generously replace component units when errors occur. If spare parts are even available. For example the entire shutter or the mainboard. This is probably the only way to maintain the prices charged for this, as time is not spent on individual troubleshooting, which costs the customer additional money.

As DIY repairers, we have an advantage because we can only invoice ourselves I think some errors could be corrected with some work.

But perhaps the time of repair experts who still know where to put the screwdriver is over. There are too many camera models for that and in newer cameras you can probably only exchange modules, at least if there are electronic problems.

Laurent · Jan 19, 2024

Obviously (for me) a true "success" is achieved when the equipment is back to operating conditions, but I would rate a failure as a personal success if, at least, I've learned something along the way AND understood my mistake to avoid repeating it.

And there could be temporary failures, when one is lacking the skills/advice to fix something they put aside, and manage to successfully repair later on.

I do not count "upcycling" as a success if it's turning a camera in a lamp stand.

Andreas Thaler · Jan 19, 2024

Laurent said:
I do not count "upcycling" as a success if it's turning a camera in a lamp stand.

You could turn your F-1 into a lighter for fine cigars from Cuba

MTGseattle · Jan 19, 2024

Turn the fine cigar into a camera. That's the exciting option.

An item that doesn't function in it's intended purpose that is made to function as intended is a success. I agree that upcycling or changing an object's function doesn't fall under the purview of repair.

My hat is off to any of you that can solder small parts effectively. I tried to fix a disconnected wire to the meter cell in a Konica rangefinder a while back and melted half of the battery housing instead. My "lesson learned" is that I either need to not try that again, or I need to practice a lot. The only way to truly practice that scenario (soldering tiny wires next to plastic) would be to find more of those cameras and potentially destroy them too. I can think of a pretty long list of ways to spend my time without practicing soldering.

Small electronic repairs are not going to be in my wheelhouse and I am ok with that.

Andreas Thaler · Jan 20, 2024

MTGseattle said:
Turn the fine cigar into a camera. That's the exciting option.

MTGseattle said:
An item that doesn't function in it's intended purpose that is made to function as intended is a success. I agree that upcycling or changing an object's function doesn't fall under the purview of repair.

My hat is off to any of you that can solder small parts effectively. I tried to fix a disconnected wire to the meter cell in a Konica rangefinder a while back and melted half of the battery housing instead. My "lesson learned" is that I either need to not try that again, or I need to practice a lot. The only way to truly practice that scenario (soldering tiny wires next to plastic) would be to find more of those cameras and potentially destroy them too. I can think of a pretty long list of ways to spend my time without practicing soldering.

Small electronic repairs are not going to be in my wheelhouse and I am ok with that.

It helps a lot if you work with magnifying glasses and can support the hand that is holding the soldering iron. But it's tight in the cameras, the soldering tip is hot and plastic breaks down quickly.

Laurent · Jan 20, 2024

Andreas Thaler said:
You could turn your F-1 into a lighter for fine cigars from Cuba

I'm afraid this is pure Heresy, we should reinstate the Spanish Inquisition!

MTGseattle said:
Turn the fine cigar into a camera. That's the exciting option.

An item that doesn't function in it's intended purpose that is made to function as intended is a success. I agree that upcycling or changing an object's function doesn't fall under the purview of repair.

My hat is off to any of you that can solder small parts effectively. I tried to fix a disconnected wire to the meter cell in a Konica rangefinder a while back and melted half of the battery housing instead. My "lesson learned" is that I either need to not try that again, or I need to practice a lot. The only way to truly practice that scenario (soldering tiny wires next to plastic) would be to find more of those cameras and potentially destroy them too. I can think of a pretty long list of ways to spend my time without practicing soldering.

Small electronic repairs are not going to be in my wheelhouse and I am ok with that.

When possible, attaching a "heat sink" as close as possible to the solder point can really help. Metal clams can suck the heat instead of letting it dissipate further. I agree it's not that easy when plastic is close to the soldering tip.

Something very useful also is to make sure the wire and the soldering point are absolutely clean, so that the solder wire melts and mates rapidly.

Andreas Thaler · Jan 20, 2024

For me, work works best when I don't think and let my hands decide.

The ongoing photography for my documentation interrupts the flow, but on the other hand it also forces me to reflect on what I am doing.

If I want to tell others about it honestly, without leaving anything out or glossing over things out of vanity, I have to pay even more attention to what I do.

An interesting field of tension.

The reports here, or in my project log, always have an impact when I look through and think about them later. The photos in particular always show me new details that I haven't seen before. So learning continues constantly, not at least in the background.

MTGseattle · Jan 20, 2024

@Laurent thank you. Soldering just makes me tense. I've successfully done some automotive soldering, but I think that's my limit.

@Andreas Thaler The photos you've added to a few of your threads are really good in their capacity. I completely understand how setting down the tools and picking up the camera can interrupt the "flow" of a job. Just know that yours are successful. There's nothing worse than a repair thread with horrible photos/video.

Andreas Thaler · Jan 20, 2024

MTGseattle said:
@Andreas Thaler The photos you've added to a few of your threads are really good in their capacity. I completely understand how setting down the tools and picking up the camera can interrupt the "flow" of a job. Just know that yours are successful. There's nothing worse than a repair thread with horrible photos/video.

Thank you for your feedback

When are you successful as a repairer? A simple question?

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