How to repair old Nikon - a record of my attempt

[GrauGeist]

Great evening shots, Shinpachi!

It's really neat to see other folk's towns from thier perspective and not a "tourist" style of photographs.

 

[Shinpachi]

Great evening shots, Shinpachi!

It's really neat to see other folk's towns from thier perspective and not a "tourist" style of photographs.

That is what I want everyone to feel!
Thanks GrauGeist for your cool comment which gets to the point

 

[Gnomey]

Nice shots! Increasing the ISO is a good idea for taking night/evening/low light conditions, this decreases the shutter speed and gives better shots especially without flash.

 

[Shinpachi]

Yes, no flash is always helpful, Gnomey.
It can also save the batteries!

 

[Shinpachi]

Here is an old saying "Once you raised your sword, you don't have to be back till you win or die".

Repairing my old Nikon now starts

 

[Shinpachi]

This is someone's solution which I have found on the internet.
To make a new metal lock to replace.

Not a few users have ever had the same trouble on the same model F-601 or 401.
This would have been a result of design mistake by the maker though I don't know whether they admit it or not.

His solution looks good but he recommends to remove all the remaining resin lock-base.
It will weaken the base and takes time to cut it off.

I wonder if there is any other better way to make use of the remaining resin lock-base.

 

[Shinpachi]

OK. Here is my answer -

To wrap the lock-base with a thin metal plate.
Two metal screws of 0.8mm diameter would be enough to fix the plate on it.

 

[Shinpachi]

Just attached.

 

[Shinpachi]

Work is over.
Thanks.

 

[GrauGeist]

Wow!

That's some really cool repair work!

 

[Shinpachi]

Thank you, GrauGeist!
This is "How to repair old Nikon"

 

[evangilder]

Great way to engineer a solution to the broken latch. It looks better than the band-aid too.

 

[Shinpachi]

...... It looks better than the band-aid too.

That was what I wished
Thanks!

 

[Aaron Brooks Wolters]

Very ingenious Shinpachi! And very crafty to!!

 

[Shinpachi]

Thanks Aaron.

It didn't matter for me whether the target was small or big.
It was a foolish action after all but I'm happy

Thanks everyone for reading.

 

[Shinpachi]

There was a size mistake of the hook hand on the last image.
This is the corrected one.

I know this kind of correction post would tire those who are not interested in the topic so much but I believe there would be a quite a few users who may need this kind of information.
If none, please take my apology.

 

[Shinpachi]

It has been sometime since I posted last and I did not imagine I would update this thread.

A week ago, I came across a broken Nikon D80 DSLR body for only JPY4,000 (about USD 35) in a local camera shop.
Shop staff said "Flash unit is totally broken not only appearance but function. Maker's repair service was over last year."
I purchased it because of its "incredibly" cheap price.

The pop-up cover repair was like repairing a scale model with putty.
The flash switch itself was not broken but needed some adjustment for connection inside the unit.
I found no other troubles beside annoying whether I should repaint all the pop-up cover or not.
I gave it up this time as I had no confidence with my skill.

The following pictures show the camera and my test shots in the temple yard of my neighborhood.
I think I was lucky to purchase it at the moment.

Thanks for reading, guys

 

[Airframes]

Nice work my friend !
The D80 is still a great DSLR - I bought a used example last year, in excellent condition, and with a low shutter count. I prefer it to my D 3100, as it's easier to use, with less programmes and other 'fiddly bits', and a much better focusing screen, especially for use at airshows with the 300mm lens.
I now use the D 3100 with the 18-55mm lens, for static shots etc.
Still getting used to the size and weight of DSLRs though, as I 'cut my teeth' on Olympus OM 35mm and Nikon F 35mm cameras, as well as Hasselblad and larger format plate cameras.

 

[Shinpachi]

Thanks for your kind post, Terry.
I'm so glad not only you recommend the D80 high but you have been a keen photographer.
I was a Pentax lover when I was young but stayed away for decades.
I hope you would be a teacher for me from now on.

 

[vikingBerserker]

MY first DSLR is a Pentax, but if I get more serious with it I will upgrade to the Nikon.

My friend, fantastic job fixing this one, it takes beautiful pics! Every time you post pics of Japan my desire to visit your home grows stronger and stronger.