drjoke
Well-known
How do the electronic parts usually die? I hear that if you leave them unused for a long time, they usually die. But, if you use them everyday, they typically do not die on you.
Manual Focus Cameras with Electronic Parts
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Fred Burton
Well-known
I have cameras with electronic parts that are over 30 years old and working fine. Some were used regularly, some sat in a bag in closets for most of that time, unused. It's much more likely an older camera would need service for the mechanical parts than the electrical ones over time (particularly if they weren't used).
Nikon F3's are heavily electronic (only one mechanical speed without the batteries) and most are approaching 30 years old now. But unless completely worn out from use (a mechanical issue), most of them are still working fine.
Nikon F3's are heavily electronic (only one mechanical speed without the batteries) and most are approaching 30 years old now. But unless completely worn out from use (a mechanical issue), most of them are still working fine.
Well, I bought an all-manual camera on eBay a few years ago on which the seller said the meter wasn't working, maybe a battery issue. Later, evidence pointed to the camera having been dunked in seawater and left sitting so that the meter circuitry in the baseplate was all corroded. So the electronic parts were DOA, yet the camera functioned fine otherwise.
My oldest camera with electronic shutter dates to the early 1970s, and it's working fine. Actually I've never had an electronic dependent camera just die except through impact damage, or Coca Cola spilled on it, etc...
My oldest camera with electronic shutter dates to the early 1970s, and it's working fine. Actually I've never had an electronic dependent camera just die except through impact damage, or Coca Cola spilled on it, etc...
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drjoke
Well-known
Why is it a common belief that fully mechanical cameras last forever and therefore are more collectible?
I have a 205 TCC handed down to me, which I sent to a shop to get cleaned up. It has not been used in 20 years, so I do not know if it still working. The shop says that electronic parts usually fail if a camera is left unused for a long time. That's why I posted the original question.
I have a 205 TCC handed down to me, which I sent to a shop to get cleaned up. It has not been used in 20 years, so I do not know if it still working. The shop says that electronic parts usually fail if a camera is left unused for a long time. That's why I posted the original question.
Fred Burton
Well-known
Nothing lasts forever. There is a belief that fully mechanical cameras will last forever because they will always be able to be repaired, even if that means a machinist has to custom machine parts for it. In a practical sense, that is likely not going to happen.
You see so many old cameras still working (or working after just a CLA) because most of those cameras were rarely used. Older professional level cameras that were used heavily were likely well maintained and built more rugged to begin with.
Besides, look around at the posts and classifieds here on RFF. Most people don't keep a camera long enough for longevity to be an issue! 😉
You see so many old cameras still working (or working after just a CLA) because most of those cameras were rarely used. Older professional level cameras that were used heavily were likely well maintained and built more rugged to begin with.
Besides, look around at the posts and classifieds here on RFF. Most people don't keep a camera long enough for longevity to be an issue! 😉
KoNickon
Nick Merritt
Electronics are a mystery to me, so much of what I'm about to say may well be refutable. But my understanding is that besides moisture, which causes corrosion (severe or more subtle), dirt and dust are the enemies of electronic equipment, since they will interfere with electrical contacts. Mechanical equipment is usually more tolerant of dirt and dust.
Electronic cameras do seem to act wonky if they haven't been used for some time. That's not to say they don't return to full operation, but sometimes it seems they take a while to come back -- I think maybe (and here's where I'm on shaky ground) it's not a bad idea to leave the camera on for a while before trying to use it again, if it's been in storage. It's as if the circuitry needs time to get the "juice" flowing again.
Electronic cameras do seem to act wonky if they haven't been used for some time. That's not to say they don't return to full operation, but sometimes it seems they take a while to come back -- I think maybe (and here's where I'm on shaky ground) it's not a bad idea to leave the camera on for a while before trying to use it again, if it's been in storage. It's as if the circuitry needs time to get the "juice" flowing again.
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