Hexar AF shutter release - repair in the UK?

wintoid

wintoid

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After 2 happy years with my Hexar AF, I've started experiencing problems with the shutter release. In my case, it will prefocus but then not take, or it will take without prefocusing. Very frustrating.

So I've read that this is a relatively common occurrence, and seen the Silvergrain site (although the pictures don't seem to load). I'd like to get this fixed, or even replace the shutter button switch, but am too ham-fisted to do this myself. Does anyone know someone in the UK who might be able to repair this?
 
You may want to try this before you go full hog on replacing the switch: disassemble the top and the switch too (into like three parts I think...silvergrain has the info) and then clean off the metal contact with ronsonol and q-tip and maybe even an eraser to get rid of any corrosion. This might just make your shutter snappy again.

Although it would be nice ot have confirmation that replacing the switch is do-able (for us) it might be a little risky (for you!) so this less invasive procedure may keep your camera snappy for longer.
 
Thanks for your responses.

I'm trying to decide whether I have the courage to open the thing up and clean the sensor as described by dreilly. I'm nervous about getting the camera apart, but twice as nervous about putting it back together again.

I did mail Konica and got a standard email back telling me that they've withdrawn from the photography market now. Have also mailed one other repair outfit who have said they won't do anything to a Hexar that might require parts :/

Ravinder, there's quite a good chance I would decide it's worth the risk to replace the switch, assuming you felt confident about having a go, and didn't mind me imposing on your time and energy. I need a bit more time to think about it first though.

Cheers,

Simon.
 
Ordering Hexar AF switch

Ordering Hexar AF switch

If anybody would like to think about ordering switches to have on hand, I would like to participate and commit to buying at least 2. The part is the real problem....with a copy of the silvergrain info, replacing it would be a matter of simply finding someone with the right tools (and a good bit of talent and confidence). Does anybody feel like giving it a shot? GH
 
Original micro shutter / AF switch replacements continues...

Original micro shutter / AF switch replacements continues...

I attempted today to communicate with the Manufacturer of the original switches.Unfortunately, even the English translation breaks down on the website when it comes to pricing / payment and contact info.
Does anyone have access to a person who speaks Japanese AND would be kind enough to give us a helping hand?

I feel that I filled out the form correctly and even hit what I guessed was the "send" button, but I have absolutely no idea if it went through or not as all the following info reverted to Japanese. I know that the silvergrain instructions deal with repairing / cleaning the original switch, but I would rest far easier if I simply had some new and exact replacements on hand....even if they would probably have to be cleaned anyway before inserting into the Hexar.

The second best option would be to buy the ALPS switch to have on hand before they stop making them as well)

GH (gharrington@mindspring.com)
 
wintoid said:
Thanks for your responses.

I'm trying to decide whether I have the courage to open the thing up and clean the sensor as described by dreilly. I'm nervous about getting the camera apart, but twice as nervous about putting it back together again.
Click to expand...

I am NOT and ingeneer but I have always liked to open any kind of stuff and can give you the following advice.

(1) Use proper tools. A bad or inadequate skrewdriver can demage parts irreversibly even if you do all properly otherwise.
(2) Allow you a lot of time.
(3) Do not try to operate the camera while it is open unless you know what you are doing.
(4) Think that if a man made it another man can fix it.
(5) Think that you might lose a camera but you will surely gain knowledge no matter what happens...

After all a camera is not too bad, for one there are not parts in high tension like, say, in a tube amplifier or fast moving parts like in a motorbyke engine...

GLF
 
Hi there

Was wondering if anyone has done the cleaning of the switch and whether you actually need to desolder and remove the switch? That is, is it possible to dismantle the switch in situ and clean the contacts without taking it off the circuit board. The Silvergrain instructions are a little unclear on this and in my reading imply that you need to remove the switch.

Thanks

Andrew
 
Hi Andrew,

I found another Silvergrain link with both text and pictures at http://www.silvergrain.org/wiki/Konica_Hexar#Get_to_the_switch

From that page...

Where do you obtain a replacement part?

You don't. You unsolder the old part out of the camera, take it apart, clean it or fix it, and put it back on. Based on my experience and user feedback sent to me from the visitors of this page, the problem associated with erratic shutter button is completely fixable by disassembly and cleaning of the electric contacts inside the switch unit. I've repaired a few Hexars this way and none of them have recurring problems.
Click to expand...
 
Hi

Just to let you know that it is possible to gently pry the switch apart without removing it from the circuit board. Have just cleaned the contacts, put the camera back together again and tested it out. It appears to be working fine - in fact better than before which was the whole point.

Thanks

Andrew
 
Cool, thanks for letting us know. I've done nothing at all with mine so far as I've been busy (holidays and so on). I need to work up the nerve...
 
Simon,
Be carefull, email:cameraworkshop@tiscali.co.uk who may be able to help you. If you are only moderately competant with tools it can get out of hand. I have dabbled for more than 50years and am still learning. If you decide to go ahead the quality of your tools is of the utmost importance! I can recommend the above contact being quick and reasonably priced if you take the sane man's route.

Cheers,

normclarke
 
normclarke said:
Simon,
Be carefull, email:cameraworkshop@tiscali.co.uk who may be able to help you. If you are only moderately competant with tools it can get out of hand. I have dabbled for more than 50years and am still learning. If you decide to go ahead the quality of your tools is of the utmost importance! I can recommend the above contact being quick and reasonably priced if you take the sane man's route.

Cheers,

normclarke
Click to expand...

Normclarke - couldn't agree with you more. I once managed to destroy a working Minolta Himatic after the "simple and quick" clean of the viewfinder and rangefinder soon degenerated into a host of other problems. You would think I would have learnt but then attempted something similar with an Olympus XA which I only just managed to save. Not the most pleasant of experiences... Oh yes, correct tools are essential!

Andrew
 
mercedes_sl1970 said:
Hi

Just to let you know that it is possible to gently pry the switch apart without removing it from the circuit board. Have just cleaned the contacts, put the camera back together again and tested it out. It appears to be working fine - in fact better than before which was the whole point.

Thanks

Andrew
Click to expand...

Bumping this up. Just fixed my backup AF that I got cheap from ebay
last week doing what Andrew described. Cleaned the disassembled switch
with goop-off and a rubber eraser.

Another thing that I had to clean were the contacts of the aperture dial/switch,
since the aperture sometimes opened/closed erratically. You might
want to check yours, it's not as obvious a problem as the lazy shutter button.

Roland.
 
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