The blight of LCD cameras and a crazy maintenance idea

[PaulDalex]

Hi all,
my return to film has been troubled by the deteriorating health of lcd cameras.
My first encounter with the problem was in 1985. I had a Minolta 9000 and I was very happy with it. But the external LCD developed leaking and I got rid of it.
At the time I didn't draw any general conclusion about that. I simply thought I got a defective sample.
I should instead have stayed clear of any camera with a LCD ever since!.
Next was the turn of Nikon F4. In this case the bleeding is in the viewfinder (in the DP20).
Now I can't stand broken or crippled cameras.
I know what you are thinking: "why bother as long as it is usable?"
I can't help it but my stupid hobbyist mentality requires that whatever I use (that it be a camera or a car etc) must be in perfect order and as close to mint as possible.
After many years of chasing I found DP20 with an almost invisible leak on the right.
How long it will last like that?
Should I give up and get rid of the F4?
I have read that the leaking is the effect of heat.
Then a crazy idea came to mi mind.
Suppose I keep the good DP20 in the freezer.
Does it make sense? What do you think?
Enough long post. I will write on the next sick cameras later on.
All the best
Paolo

 

[Nitroplait]

I understand your feelings. I dislike "almost" perfect cameras. It should either be perfect or "never mind".
I overcame that by buying some charming beaten up and brassed cameras where I didn't have to obsess about imperfections because it was nothing but imperfections.

I found it much more pleasurable to be able to just put down the camera on a concrete bench without worry of bottom plate scratches etc

Anyway, the F4 is infamous for LCD bleeding and is not the best choice for someone like you ;-)
Maybe move forward to F100 or F5 (which may have deteriorating rubber covering) or back to the F3 (which is said to have fading LCDs - but I have never seen it in any of mine) - or my all time favourites FE2/FM3A.

 

[monopix]

My experience with Nikon is minimal but I have found they seem to keep parts for cameras for a very long time. LCDs are not usually difficult to replace. So, I would enquire either with Nikon or a Nikon repair shop about getting a new LCD fitted.

 

[markjwyatt]

All mechanical cameras uber alles!

 

[PaulDalex]

Thank you all for your input.
Nitroplait, I like the F4 and, besides, it is the most compatible camera Nikon ever made. And I use many pre AI lens. In addition that, green dot is a blessing for my sore sight.
As to the F3 I have been studying the possibility. But just the fact that I have two other cameras with fading LCD prevented me to buy one.
Monopix, I am not considering repair. Here in Italy I believe that it is difficult to find anybody doing this job. And I don't like the hassle of shipping even in normal times in normal times, let alone nowadays with the covid: there is the risk that it get lost in transit.
Mark, I came exactly to the same conclusion! Either meterless (I have a bunch of Gossens and the Minolta spot meter) or, at most, needle or LED.
In fact I have been considering an F2. But for now the F4 is again usable!

 

[PaulDalex]

Anyway and technically speaking.
Does it make any sense to store the new DP20 in the fridge?
Will this prevent it from leaking?

 

[PaulDalex]

I meant a plain prism F2.
I don't like any of the photomic. And they might fail as well.

 

[zuiko85]

Well....you admit an obsession with wanting a 20-40 year old product to be ‘perfect’ and in as new condition.
At 75 years old you probably won’t be able to do much about your mental state, and that is all right, we all have issues, otherwise we wouldn’t be using film.
So....maybe just stick to all mechanical cameras without LCD readouts?
There are numerous cameras, up to about the mid 70’s, that are a delight to hold and operate, and that clean up quite well, cosmetic wise.

 

[froyd]

Anyway and technically speaking.
Does it make any sense to store the new DP20 in the fridge?
Will this prevent it from leaking?

I preface this by admitting that I know absolutely nothing about LCDs. My first thought was that maybe the temperature fluctuation from fridge to room temp, or even fridge temp and outside on a summer day might do more damage tan storage at a more constant indoor temp of 18-20C


BTW- I have an F4 too and the LCS has started to bleed 🙁

 

[JeffS7444]

Please don't refrigerate LCDs or other electronics because they're generally not designed to withstand lower temperatures for extended periods of time. The LCDs themselves may not be the problem: Sometimes special conductive adhesives were used to form electrical connections, and it may be possible to repair these.

 

[PaulDalex]

Zuiko,
of course. I am planning more use of cameras without lcd's.
But I already have some cameras with lcd's that I love and I don't want to give up on them.
Froyd,
that's what I was afraid of. I was interested to know the opinion of expert photogs here.
Jeff,
I guess you are right. It is too dangerous, and might add more damage.
Thank you all for your input!

 

[PaulDalex]

Then there is the other hassle of LCD.
FAINTING LCD's!!
But I will get back on this after trying a remedy I have in mind and for which I have ordered some parts.
I will keep you posted.

 

[Godfrey]

When I play with film cameras nowadays, barring my beloved Polaroid SX-70s, I stick with all mechanical cameras and usually without meters (or I just leave the battery for the meter out and disregard that the meter is there at all).

It keeps things simple. But doesn't mean that I don't occasionally have to have shutters, rangefinders, etc serviced now and then. 🙂

G