| Author |
Message |
    
Eric Hutchins
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, August 07, 2004 - 12:38 pm: | 
|
Hey all,
I have an XD-11 that is in perfect shape, except for the eyepiece blind. When I move the switch to the left of the viewfinder, the blind only closes about halfway, allowing light to seep through.
1) Is this a difficult or easy repair task? I'm not a camera repair expert by any stretch, but I am a patient learner.
2) Would I be better off sending this out to be fixed, and if so, can anyone here recommend a good repair shop for manual-focus Minoltas in the SF Bay area?
Thanks everyone for your time!! |
Michael Linn
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, August 07, 2004 - 05:39 pm: |
|
Hi Eric-
It's a fairly simple mechanical linkage that could possibly be fixed by you easily once you get the top off and can see the problem. Remember that any commercial camera repair today is going to be just like an auto repair or appliance repair- a minimum flat rate charge will apply no matter how simple the problem - probably around a hundred dollars in this case. Getting the top off an XD and back on is pretty straightforward except for the stuff around the rewind knob which requires a bit of patience. If you want to try it and want help, just ask. The XD-11 is a very nice camera and well worth fixing. |
Eric Hutchins
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, August 08, 2004 - 09:05 pm: |
|
Darn right it's well worth fixing, especially since I have a ton of glass for it! 
Thanks for the tips. Any idea where I can find a schematic for removing the top? Thanks! |
Mike
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, August 09, 2004 - 04:51 pm: |
|
To get the top off:
First remove the slotted ring around the release button and lift off the shutter speed ring. There will be a loose washer or two under it. Next unscrew the chrome top of the wind lever with a rubber stopper or flexiclamp. There is a brass screw uderneath which may or may not come off with the chrome cap. When that's off, lift off the wind lever and the spring underneath. Then remove the slotted retainer underneath( thin tip needle nose pliers work well).
Flip the shutter blind lever into the closed position (even though it doesn't close) and remove the screw just below. Remove the two screws holding the plate at the front just under the "Minolta" logo. Now open the back and wedge a screwdriver or tweezers in the rewind shaft and unscrew the rewind knob.
Now you will see a small chrome retainer (slotted) which is holding the whole ASA assembly in place. This would be a good time to get out your digital or video camera and record what you are about to do next which is remove the retainer and all of the stuff stacked under it down to the exposure compensation lever. You can leave that in place and wiggle the top off. There are no wires- it will come off clean. At this point you get a good look at the eyepiece shutter problem which may be in the lever mechanism which is still attached to the top, or deeper inside. If you have to go deeper, you can remove the eyepiece by removing the two small chrome screws which hold it in place. The problem should be clear by this point. You probably won't need parts. Any part which might have come loose is still in the camera. When you get it solved, remember that this is a good time to tighten your strap lugs before putting things back together in reverse order.
Please remember to go slowly- record where parts go and take time to see how they interact so they go back in the same location. If you encounter any problems and need help, just ask. You can do it.
Regards,
Mike |
John Morgan
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, August 26, 2004 - 09:45 am: |
|
http://michas-buehler.bei.t-online.de/Minolta/repair/xd.htm
This site is only partially complete, but it does show how to remove the top. FWIW. Good luck. |
|
