Hexar AF: Do I have the shutter button problem?

[tonal1]

Hi, I just received a Hexar AF. If I half depress the shutter release, the AF locks and I get a green confirmation light, but about 1 out of 10 times, when I fully depress the button, it hunts for a second before firing. It doesn't refocus, it just cycles through the motion again. This is my third Hexar....

Does this sound like the common shutter button problem?

 

[filmfan]

It sounds like the beginning stages of the shutter issue. I fixed mine but it was more trouble than it sounded like it would be from reading about it on the web. Since everything inside the camera is all plastic and thin wires, I was afraid of breaking the thing the entire DIY repair process.

 

[v_roma]

It does sound like it. The next stage would likely be that it will lose focus while you're still half pressing. The first hexar AF I got had both of these problems, making it quite unusable, unfortunately. I sent it back without trying to repair it myself or have someone else repair it since I could get a refund and try to buy one in better condition.

 

[tonal1]

It sounds like the beginning stages of the shutter issue. I fixed mine but it was more trouble than it sounded like it would be from reading about it on the web. Since everything inside the camera is all plastic and thin wires, I was afraid of breaking the thing the entire DIY repair process.

Was it necessary to de-soldier the switch off of the board, or can it be partially disassembled and cleaned in place? Looks kinda scary.

 

[tonal1]

Capacitor discharging

Capacitor discharging

If I take the battery out of the camera, the capacitor should discharge within about 2 days, is that correct?

 

[filmfan]

Was it necessary to de-soldier the switch off of the board, or can it be partially disassembled and cleaned in place? Looks kinda scary.

No soldiering or anything.
I did it with a screw driver and my fingernails.

 

[Arjay]

If I take the battery out of the camera, the capacitor should discharge within about 2 days, is that correct?

Don't worry - this camera doesn't have an integrated flash, and thus doesn't have capacitors that carry high voltage. So, no need to be afraid or wait.

 

[tonal1]

OK, I have the top cover and the "dial switch PCB" thingy off. I can see how the "tactile switch" is held together, but I can't imagine how to remove the metal cover without removing the whole switch by de-soldering it... I seems like it might take more prying to remove than is safe for the circuit it's attached too. Any thoughts?

 

[tonal1]

Thanks all for the info and encouragement. My Hexar AF is fixed and feels like a new camera. The difference is unbelievable.

I found that the button cover came off easily if I pressed down on the center round plunger while lifting up on the edge of the cover.... that seemed to take a lot of pressure off of the flex circuit as well.

Also surprising was that the contacts didn't look dirty at all. Apparently, it doesn't take much to foul the connection.

All said and done, it was fairly easy—if just a little bit scary too!


p.s. I was feeling bold after fixing the camera... I also successfully did the silent mode reprogram on the above Silver Hexar. Highly recommended!

I should add that the instructions for the silent mode mod didn't work exactly as described, I had to deviate a little as my camera gave slightly different LCD readouts than the instructions said it would...