How do you make use of your partially-broken cameras?

[jaredangle]

I was thinking, a fair number of RFF members must have at least one camera in their collection that has broken down on them (or they acquired one that was broken to begin with). Alas, I am a member of the latter group. I purchased a Nikon FG with a stuck film counter, therefore no metering, therefore no speeds other than bulb and 1/90th (mechanical).

So it's been sitting in the closet for a few months, but I was bored today and put my 20mm f/2.8 on it and thought, why don't I use this combo with a cable release and tripod, and do some long exposure at night in my city?

I'd love to hear how you guys (and girls) are still getting shots from otherwise crippled cameras.

 

[shadowfox]

I have plenty of older cameras with non-working meter.
As long as their shutter is mechanical and working, I kept using them.

I also have one Topcon lens without any aperture blades (someone cannibalized it at some point). But the glass is so clean, I kept using it and planning to get some heavy ND filter to control exposure 😀

 

[newspaperguy]

Agreed D-N... I have a number of such dust collectors.

 

[bolohead]

I usually end up taking them apart and trying to fix them. Emphasize the word trying.

 

[dexdog]

I have donated several as parts cameras to well-known repair services, mailed them to folks during RFF christmas give-aways, and used them to hold down my trash bin on windy days.

 

[Keith]

I have plenty of older cameras with non-working meter.
As long as their shutter is mechanical and working, I kept using them.

I also have one Topcon lens without any aperture blades (someone cannibalized it at some point). But the glass is so clean, I kept using it and planning to get some heavy ND filter to control exposure 😀

I have a Summitar like that ... it had a broken aperture blade so I took the lot out. It's funny ... I always tend to shoot wide open with most of my lenses but I tend not to use the Summitar just in case I run out of shutter speeds on whatever it's mounted on.

 

[nigelll]

I have only one broken camera a Canon A-1 I think mechanically it works but needs a new battery door and a rail on the hotshoe is broken off, and more than likely has the "A" squeak.

If anyone can use it let me know. You can have it for shipping. Just pm me.

 

[Brian Legge]

I've used them to learn about repair, to help others repair their cameras, etc. SLRs are a bit too complex for me at this point but rangefinders are interesting. I have a feeling I'll be sending out a few Canonet 17 parts in the next few days.

Its been a surprising challenge getting ahold of interesting cameras to work on. I don't want to invest a bunch of money buying a beat up, broken Leica but even those in poor condition sell for a surprising amount of money.

I've been swamped the last few months at work but hope to deal with compact rangefinders in the next month.

 

[Mr_Flibble]

I try to fix them usually.

Except for my Kodak Medalist, which was neutered by a repairman. He disabled the winding lock and shutter cocking mechanism attached to the advance knob. I need to use the red window to advance the film and manually cock the shutter with the little lever under the viewfinder. A bit like an old folder.
Works fine for me that way.

 

[ruby.monkey]

My eldest son likes to play with cameras, but at the age of five he's not yet old enough to fondle a Leica safely. He gets the broken, part-working, and digital cameras with which to play.

 

[shadowfox]

Call me weird, but I *like* that picture 🙂
TLR's make good decoration pieces.

 

[hans voralberg]

Dissemble everything for parts, they will live in my functioning ones.