What should I do ???

T

tekst

Established
Local time
1:37 AM
Joined
Jul 23, 2008
Messages
156
View My Gallery
Hi everyone

I would have preferred my introdution to these forums to be showing some photos taken with my nice new camera, alas, the problems have already begun and I dont even own a lense yet !!

Everything seemed fine after recieving the camera this morning, that is, until i charged up the battery and turned on the LCD screen for the first time ! It just shows up as a black and white cracked mess, as if the screen is cracked, although I cant see signs of damage on the actual screen itself..

Can anyone suggest what might have caused this ? Possible solutions ? Would it be better to try and return the camera, (bought off ebay..) attempt to get it fixed somewhere, or simply forget about it ? Are parts even still available for these cameras ?

Having said all this, I didnt really intend on using the LCD once I had all in camera settings to my liking. I knew something about this seemed to good to be true, after hearing of no focus problems/hot pixels or anything like that, somethin else was bound to be wrong.

Any help greatly appreciated
Cheers
Dan
 
Broken R-D1

Broken R-D1

Have you tried taking a picture and then reviewing it? The LCD doesn't really go "on" unless you make it with the menu buttons or it reviews a picture for you. I have 3 of these now (selling one soon) and they don't have any problems like the one you describe. I say return it immediately. Even if you don't plan on using the LCD much it is a very big part of the digital camera and without it the camera should have cost 1/2 what they are going for. So unless you got it for about 700.00 then return it. Bob.
 
First, are you sure it's not the normal strange grey & white pattern displayed on the R-D1 when there is no picture on the card? Does pushing the menu button bring something readable on the display?

But I guess your screen is really cracked. If you can return the camera, this is the best solution, as finding a spare LCD and fixing it yourself would be tricky.

The two companies listed on this page ( http://www.richcutler.co.uk/r-d1/r-d1_14.htm ) are providing spare parts, but only the non-electronic / non-mechanical ones.


If you can't get your money back, using the camera without the LCD is quite possible. I would try to adjust all the settings to your taste blindly, by comparing with another R-D1 and counting the buttons pushes and dial clicks, then leaving it as is. But in this case, I still would try to get a good part of the paid money back, as it is a major malfunction, at least half of the price.


If I had to forget about the LCD, I would leave the camera set to RAW+JPEG, B&W (as you can get color from the RAW file), and most of the other settings untouched.

Good luck with your camera!

Eric
 
Hi Bob

Im still waiting on a lens from Cameraquest, so Im unable to take a test shot at the moment. The lcd turns on, it just displays a black and white cracked effect. Ive since realised the screen is cracked/broken internally (which should have been obvious haha). Looking on rich cutlers site he mentions the rd1 lcd screen is used on a number of cameras, and a quick google search shows they are quite cheap and readily available. I guess my question now is, should I attempt to fit the new LCD screen myself or send it somewhere like Steves Camera repair. Might open up the LCD housing later tonight ( if i can find a small enough screw driver! ) to see what Im in for.

Thanks for the reply
Dan
 
rd1

rd1

If you have any SD cards with jpg's on them they will show up on the rd1 screen, you could check that way. I think it's busted, maybe from hot or cold temp or it was crushed, who knows. I have been watching the ebay for a few weeks and keeping track of the prices and the only one I saw sold recently (except for one I bought) went for about 1900.00. If that was you then I would definitely return it and look for another because that is close to a "new" price. If you start to take it apart and run into a problem, even trying to re-fit the precision pieces, you may not be able to convince the seller to take it back. First, contact the seller and let him know the problem and ask him what he will do, refund of most of the money or total return. It is a good bet that he didn't pay much for it if it was in this condition when he bought it so he may negotiate a really good price, then you could chance a self-repair.
Let us know how much it was and how you settle this, Thanks, Bob.
 
rd1

rd1

Tekst, I just checked the ebay records. Why don't you send me a private message or email me at nanthor@hotmail.com. After seeing the ad I'm convinced that you just have to send it back. You can do much better. I won't get your response until the morning, it's quite late here, Michigan, USA. Thanks, Bob.
 
The camera cost me $2075 with apparently 1500 shots ( it does appear in very good condition besides the lcd ) on it. The seller is only a few suburbs away, so considering the money I would be saving on importing a camera into Australia, I jumped at the chance to buy locally. It was also reassuring to buy a camera knowing that it was in apparent 100 percent working condition (though this was obviously not the case !), as opposed to dealing with the hit and miss situation of new rd1/s.

I would much rather just buy the lcd ( apparently quite easy to install ) , than have to return the whole thing and go through the trouble of finding another camera body, which may have rangefinder problems or whatever else. Screen or no screen, I just cant wait to use this thing, its beautiful!

Cheers
Dan
 
Hi tekst,

I just tried to open the LCD panel to see how it is fitted and if it easy to replace it (plugged or soldered). Unfortunately, the are 4 screws that need to be removed to separate the two halves, and one of them is impossible to reach without removing some further parts.

According to the diagram here:
http://www.richcutler.co.uk/r-d1/downloads/Epson_R-D1_exploded_view.pdf
you will need to:

- remove the top plate first like described in http://www.richcutler.co.uk/r-d1/r-d1_18.htm (not very hard, but you have to be careful and take your time),

- then remove the baseplate (part 136 on the pdf diagram)

- then remove the thumb grip + LCD (this ensemble: http://www.richcutler.co.uk/r-d1/images/stripdown/r-d1_strip_10.jpg )

- then remove the big metal part on the left of the LCD (bottom left of part 130 in the pdf diagram). This part is blocking access to the 4th screw closing the LCD panel, and there is one screw inside of the thumb grip + LCD maintaining it in place, hence the need to dismantle so much of the camera...

Nothing too difficult, but a few hours with a tiny screwdriver, and only then you will see if replacing the LCD will be possible or not... In my opinion, it's worth if you get a good part of your money back.
 
DSC_4725.jpg
 
figure 1 alone puts me off!
Click to expand...

Looks complicated, and it's not specially easy the first time, but if you take your time and get the right tools it should not be a problem.

The screen is definitely broken. Is the glass (or plastic?) layer protecting the LCD broken too?

Now you can either try a repair, return the camera if you can, use it without the screen or sell it as a damaged camera... In any case, try to get some or all your money back.
 
The protective outer plastic is still intact.

Im leaning towards repair or using the camera without screen( with a decent sum of money refunded.) With this is mind, can someone map out the steps for me to reset the menu configurations blindly ?!? Either way I have to wait and see how the seller responds to the above image I sent him. He seemed genuinely surprised when I told him the LCD was broken upon arrival...

Dear tekst103,

It's very hard for me to respond. I always post items and I know buyers may prefer pick-up in person but I just never had problem doing it and now it has its LCD broken, that just sounds bad! I know I have no reason to suspect anything but i think I should inspect in person, if it indeed is that way, I will take up the issue with AustPost. I've sent very expensive lens in the past, more fragile item than Epson RD-1 and even overseas, nothing ever went wrong even though I've insured it all the time! I am still on business trip and will go to Queensland next week but in-between I will find a time hopefully suitable for both of us, and so I can look at it. Please let me know what you think

Cheers
Dan
 
To reset the camera:

- display image ( " |[]| " )
- menu (the M with a circle above it)
- one dial click clockwise
- entry (return-like arrow)
- 5 dial clicks clockwise
- entry
- one dial click clockwise
- entry

This is if you have the upgraded (R-D1s) firmware. According to the manual, this will set color to color, standard film, date format YYYY/MM/DD, power save timer 5min, sequential numbering on, LCD brightness 5/8, language = english, user button = delete.
 
Last edited:
a quick google search shows they are quite cheap and readily available
Click to expand...

Hi tekst,

just in case the same would happen to me or somebody else, where did you find those available replacement LCDs? Do you know the exact reference?

Thanks!
 
Broken R-D1

Broken R-D1

Now we have a picture of the damage. It seems like something pointed struck the LCD. Is there any sign at all of damage to either the LCD clear cover or to the other side of the panel(where the lens focal length reference dial is)? Is there any evidence of the camera having a new clear cover being put in, like glue around the edge? Was this camera shipped with the LCD facing in or out? Does the shipper in Australia open packages routinely? Sorry for all the questions but you should try to get a good idea what might have happened to cause this. The seller sounds like he is unaware of the problem, ask him if he used the camera or if he is a buyer/seller. The damage is bad enough that if he was a user, he either must have known of the problem or the shipper did it. I always save the box a camera comes in, in case there is damage which shows up later, then the box can be inspected and a claim filed if it looks like there was shipping damage. Good luck, Bob.
 
Apparently it happened in postage, I think the LCD was facing out in transit. No evidence of a new outer clear cover. The shipper used the camera, he is selling to get an m8..Leicasniper, Ive seen a number of your posts, they are never remotely useful..
 
tekst said:
Apparently it happened in postage, I think the LCD was facing out in transit. No evidence of a new outer clear cover. The shipper used the camera, he is selling to get an m8..Leicasniper, Ive seen a number of your posts, they are never remotely useful..
Click to expand...


not wanting to sound like 'R.Nixon' ..but my fellow Australian there really is only one logical answer here and that is to imediately report item not as discribed to ebay (not functioning or working/broken) and insist on a refund from the seller. its just that plain and simple, ITS BUSTED..return it!.and as Krosya shows buy a new one. its not your repsoncibility to go through the mucking around waiting for claims from Aust Post (i wouldnt be surprised if that is the next sugestion from the seller!) to get a partial refund. he has to take it back and go through that himself. frankly i am suspicious of sellers like this (unless the packaging shows clear indication of damage!). someone that is familar with these cameras (and has the ambition to buy an M8) wouldnt ship it with the screen facing outwards (foolish mistake at any rate, and just how poorly packaged it must have been would likely cause aust post to argue the claim anyway). also i am suspicious when they have these excuses about convienently being not available and drawing the process out (he may well be telling the truth but some people just muck you around like this until the dealines pass) . if and when you send it back pay the extra for registered mail so you have proof he received it. getting it repaired shouldnt even be considered an option at this point and only if total failure occured in getting your money back.

not sure why your comment on LSniper? it semes like the logical thing to do to me unless you simply like paying full money for non working cameras! i am not trying to insult you and we ozzies are pretty easy going but you simply cant accept this...your being taken for a sucker
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom