DIY Shutter button Fix for Hexar

[naren]

I ought to maybe have posted this in the fixy section, but thought I might get more response here...

I have the Hexar RF dirty shutter button problem, I've looked up the DIY fix (on the Silvergrain website I think). Wanted to see if anyone here would weigh in with their experience... Thanks.

 

[johannielscom]

The Silvergrain Wiki rulezz.

It tells it like it is, I have serviced at least a dozen Hexar AFs with this pictorial and they all came out working flawlessly.

Use a needle point to carefully pry the switch cover loose, anything bigger will not fit. Keep your finger over the switch cover or it will leap off, never to be seen again.

 

[Borghesia]

Normally on Flickr they refer to RFF discussions, but in this case there has been a nice discussion on Flickr about this subject :

http://www.flickr.com/groups/hexar/discuss/72157608086802770/

 

[Phantomas]

Hi, the above Flickr post is by me 🙂
Yep, it works and yep the sollution is that "simple". I've done it through soldering on mine (well, actually a friend did it for me, that's why), but others have commented that simple diassembly is enough.
Good luck, once you clean that button it's a great camera and totaly worth it.

 

[naren]

I just read the flickr thing. Sounds like soldering or unsoldering is not necessary but it's good to have a soldering iron on hand in case. I have to review the photos and text on silvergrain again but I've already downloaded, enlarged and enhanced the photos.

The description of popping off the switch cover makes some sense to me, but I never understood after reading the thing and looking at the photos where it looks like there's soldering. At the same time, although people are doing this without soldering and no one has said that this piece you take off actually "snaps" back on. Is it you just have to carefully put the camera back together with the piece returned to the proper place? I wonder how difficult that is.

I've got a couple tweezers and a 2 small screwdrivers (a pin as well which somebody recommended to take the piece off) and I'll probably give this a shot tomorrow or the next day. Doubt I will have acquired a soldering gun (free is my only option). Thanks everyone.

 

[ferider]

You don't need a soldering gun. The switch cover just pops back into place, unless you bend it when taking it off.

Since you have the cover off, it's also a good time to clean the viewfinder. So have some cleaning cloth ready.

Good luck,

Roland.

 

[shiro_kuro]

The highlight of the Flikr post is that his friends at the lab did the job easily by desoldering and removing the switch for cleaning.... others have reported success leaving the switch in place .
Things to consider before attempting this ...

Removing the control dial PCB (pictured below),which unplugs from the flexible circuit board after removing the three screws .
I see no explanation as to how to disengage this part from the flex board ..or just leave it connected ? The flexible circuit board is fragile so maybe leaving it connected while working on the camera is not such a good idea.

Removing the the switch itself is simple enough . Desoldering it makes the most sense to me ... as it seems the safest route ... Leaving it in place and dismantle the switch to clean also seems easy enough .But I see no where an explanation on how to or where to pry to separate the switch parts other than the mention of what tools used: a needle and or needle nose pliers . Sure removing the top plate is very easy but unless you have some fundamental knowledge as to how these things are assembled and dismantled .You will find yourself looking at these two switches guessing at how they come apart ...Hands sweating as you pry here and poke there. Loose a part , break a part and your camera is done .
It would be great if someone posted a video on how to do this repair ..or explained precisely how to disengage these parts .
I watched a video on how to take apart an M camera ... very easy once you see it done ... Any way just some my thoughts as I was looking at the insides of my Hexar AF contemplating wether to give it a try ...

Sony Japan still services the Konica Hexar .... and they will be picking up my camera tomorrow morning ; )

 

[naren]

I spoke with someone (Greg Weber is his name maybe) who specializes in Konica repairs... he advised me not to take off the switch. He explained that some have a soldered switch and others have a switch with a clip. If you break the clip or bend it as someone else mentioned above it won't go back on, and then you are screwed. Anyway I am finally going to attempt this in a couple days... hopefully it will be as easy to get clean without removing the switch as some have suggested. And hopefully I don't drop it or something.