G1 Disassembly

[Issy]

Anyone brave enough to take one apart? Total nightmare?

I picked up a green label G1 from ebay that has a stuck power switch, with the hope that I might be able to fix it myself

Bill

 

[SolaresLarrave]

Danger, danger, Will Robinson, retreat immediately! Send camera to Kyocera instead!

Please... Thanks! 😀

 

[Issy]

ok, I'll bite.... why?

I consider myself a reasonably good tech... electronics and mechanical (can solder surface mount, etc.) Can usually handle most things unless they require specialized tools. I've got a G1 Factory Service manual on order, and I'm assuming this should be pulling the top cover and fixing/repairing a busted switch...

Your experience (or forum experience) says otherwise? Are these things booby-trapped? 😀

Bill

 

[SolaresLarrave]

No, Issy, it's only my fear of my big, clumsy hands. I've been known to have problems loading film sometimes, and the prospect of disassembling a camera like the G1 scares the living daylights out of me.

But if you're an experienced tool user, I don't think it should be difficult. I just looked at mine and that's all...

Sorry about the alamistic post...

 

[Issy]

Thanks. Likewise, I'd be the first one to admit that I have gotten myself in over my head a few times, despite the best of intentions. 😛

I'll document the surgery, either way.

Bill

 

[digitalox]

I have two G1s. One I dropped pretty hard one day and so the frame is bent somewhat. From what little I can see I see in there I wouldn't take it off - looks pretty daunting. It still works OK though believe it or not.

 

[Pherdinand]

Issy, depends on how much have you payed for it and how much do you still want to pay for it, compared to your living standard/salary/budget of course.
If, e.g., i'd have bought it for 57$ and would be you i would take it apart. OK, even if i would be myself.
But you can't expect us to tell you what to do, it's a too big responsability i think.

 

[Issy]

Wow, did I luck out.

Wow, did I luck out.

Well, took the top off, and it appears the G1 I picked up that was "stuck on" was due to a tech screw-up. Yep, the G1 has a little solder pad next to the shutter switch, that when shorted, allows the tech to fire the shutter while the top is off (the shutter switch is integrated into the top). Whoever had this before me, failed to un-solder the pad before putting it together. 10 minute repair. See the bridged pad in the photo.

 

[Issy]

Topless G1

Topless G1

(in case you always wondered what was under the hood...)

 

[Pherdinand]

Great! I'm glad it turned out well🙂

 

[Socke]

Wow, you did it! And it works! I would have screwed up badly!

 

[RML]

Glad it worked out well.

I dismantled the top of a FED2 to some adjusting. Now all the bits are in a plastic box, waiting to be reassembled, which (knowing me) will never happen. Anyone interested in a dismantled FED2? 🙂

 

[Pherdinand]

remy, LOL!
Reassembly is simple: exactly like disassembly but in reverse order 😀

 

[RML]

Ah! So, that's the secret! Too bad I can't remember how I took it apart. Maybe I'll ask a friend of mine to strip the chrome off of it and powdercoat-and-bake it in black.... I have Maizenberg's repair book so I should, somehow be able to get it back together, right? 🙂

 

[Issy]

I should point out that I would not attempt this without a copy of the Service manual (which I bought)

The top is "keyed" to a certain extent (you need to do more than just remove screws to get it off), and it was the service manual that told me what those shorted pads were for. Without that, I would have had no clue.

I assumed that a "stuck power switch" wouldn't be bad (was expecting to see a hunk of wire or metal shorting out some contacts)... turned out to be a good gamble.

 

[jlw]

Where did you order this service manual?

 

[Issy]

"nikondave" on ebay. A high quality copy, $40 US. A bit expensive, but what would that repair have cost me from Kyocera?

If people ever need G1 part numbers, I'd be happy to help them out (for future reference).

 

[digitalox]

I can never remeber how I took these things I part. But I ever so often I forget that and try it again on something 🙂

 

[CANYCAN]

Thank you for your usefull message and pictures. I need you help: how to take off the ring useing for shows +-0.5, +-1? Thereis no screw. My G1 has problem: it always shows bettery is low even I put new bettery. Any advice to me? Thank you again.

 

[Issy]

Are you asking, how to remove the bracketing switch from the top of the G1 (i.e. you need to remove the entire top, and then remove the switch from the top)

Why? What is wrong with it?