Repair forums - How to do?

[CameraQuest]

4/1/07

New Repair Forum created with for now simple 4 sub forums. Time will tell the need for brand specific repair forums.

Also Photo Acc Bag / Tripod / Filter etc Forum created

both forums linked from side menus.
this thead now locked.

Stephen


Many people have requested a repair forum.

Keep in mind how those threads are likely to grow over the years, eventually with thousands of posts.

Is it preferable to have

1) no repair forums, just present categories combined with repair posts?

2) a new repair forum with sub categories

3) new repair subcategories of equipt forums, for example a new repair subcategory for the Epson RD1, etc?

Please vote. Poll closes April 2nd

Stephen

[Spyderman]

IMHO at the moment the number of posts about repairs grows, because older posts with similar problem are hard to find...

I'd vote for no. 3 - repair sections in each of the equipment forum.

[Gabriel M.A.]

If the forums didn't need a fine-tuning, I'd suggest a Repair Sub-Forum in each one of them. Since a number of them are too segregated (FSU Cameras and "Other" seem to describe overlapping areas, for example; Nikon has its own, although there are Nikon LTM lenses, so looking under the LTM forum is not the place to go if you're discussing Nikon LTM lenses and FSU LTM lenses...etc...).

I believe that a Repair Forum with some logical subforums would make more sense: Film Cameras, Digital Cameras (i.e. R-D1, M8), Lenses, and Misc. (rather than "Other") for starters.

[VinceC]

I voted for #3.
On the other hand, many repairs are "cross-platform" so there could be a good argument for lumping repair topics together.

[shadowfox]

Always aim for future-proofing the forum, a separate Repair sub-forum with sub-categories will allow us to be flexible in the future.

Sub categories should include General upkeep of cameras, then specific ones mirroring the Main Forum's sub-categories.

Just my 2 cents.

[Brian Sweeney]

I voted for #3. Often I go out of my way to try something because of the discussions on the equipment thread. Sometimes, I'm spontaneous. But very rare.

[ruben]

#2 or #3 = Yes to repair forum.

# 3 is clear about.

# 2, in contrast to #3, is not clear enough.

Nevermind, as tons and tons of stickies are not expected the day after, the most practical to start with would be to organize it by answer/educational/instruction posted item, and regroup it later.

Cheers,
Ruben

[dnk512]

OK, I do not like not being able to change my vote :mad:

I meant to click on 2, but did so on 3 :(

There is a core/common set of repair advice that can not fit in the existing forums tree. Then there are tips by body, lens, accesories etc. Model specific entries can be in further sub-subcategories. So, my vote is 2 :)

[ferider]

I voted 2 because there is commonality and it will be easier to search.

Roland.

[mjflory]

OK, I do not like not being able to change my vote :mad:

I meant to click on 2, but did so on 3 :(

There is a core/common set of repair advice that can not fit in the existing forums tree. Then there are tips by body, lens, accesories etc. Model specific entries can be in further sub-subcategories. So, my vote is 2 :)

Well, maybe I've balanced your mistake, Dmitri... :)

I voted for 2 (a separate forum), thinking that there are many repair-specific, brand-independent questions. (For example, "What's the best brand of spanner wrench?") But I wonder, too, if repair questions won't flow more naturally from a discussion of specific camera types. Contax rangefinders and shutters are very different from Leica ones, and a Leica M3's rangefinder is a much bigger challenge than a III's.

Maybe there's room for both... "General repair topics" and, e.g. "Repairs" under "Leica M," and so forth. But it's a tough decision.

-- Michael

[c.poulton]

My vote goes to number three.

[RichC]

No. 2

(Or No. 3 if the forums arereduced in number and made more logical.)

[rxmd]

A repair forum with four or five subcategories - something sensible like: lenses, Leica/FSU/Leica clone cameras, Contax/Kiev cameras, fixed-lens cameras, and another subforum for everything else. Just not this inflationary category overload that we have now.

IMHO it doesn't matter if Nikons, Yashicas, Olympuses, large-format rangefinders etc. don't have their own repair forum, as long as we have a clear, simple, minimal structure which makes it clear what goes where.

[like2fiddle]

I would go for #2 or #3. Either way we would have repairs separated from other subjects and hopefully easier to search.

[VinceC]

>>something sensible like: lenses, Leica/FSU/Leica clone cameras, Contax/Kiev cameras, fixed-lens cameras, and another subforum for everything else.<<

But don't put Nikon in with the Contax/Kiev subforum. Though superficially similar to Contaxes, the Nikon RFs are actually much closer, inside, to Leicas.

I've got to admit ... If I have a question about fixing a Nikon or Kiev, it seems more likely I'll get my answer from someone on that forum, not a general repair forum. And a lot of the long-term value comes from being able to browse older threads. If I went to a REPAIR subforum on the NIKON forum, chances are I'd quickly find a post related to my problem/situation. But, if there's just a general repair forum, without many sub-categories, then it's harder to find into on specific cameras. This kind of detail is also helpful for people trying to make purchase decisions. They can research common problems with specific models.

[Steve Bellayr]

I vote number 2.

[rxmd]

>>something sensible like: lenses, Leica/FSU/Leica clone cameras, Contax/Kiev cameras, fixed-lens cameras, and another subforum for everything else.<<

But don't put Nikon in with the Contax/Kiev subforum. Though superficially similar to Contaxes, the Nikon RFs are actually much closer, inside, to Leicas.
Yes, I would assume they are different.

The main reason why I didn't list extra Nikon or Canon subforum in there is that I don't know how much traffic there will be in these specific subforums. Are there that many of us here who actually can CLA or even repair a Nikon camera? IMHO there's no point in having a forum just for the sake of having a forum, if there's too little traffic, which is precisely what's wrong with RFF at the moment. So the "everything else" subforum could cover whatever repair needs arise for Nikons, auxiliary rangefinders, Canon 7s, accessory viewfinders, Bessas, large-format shutters, Rolex wristwatches, what have you ;)

Philipp

[shutterfiend]

3 over 2. I like all men am a creature of habbit and never pay attention.

[oscroft]

I don't see a poll - is it restricted in some way?

Anyway, I would vote #3 first, then #2 - I'd definitely like to see repair forums of some sort.

[oscroft]

I don't see a poll - is it restricted in some way?
Weird - as soon as I'd replied, I could then see the poll (brain malfunction, I suspect.) So I voted 3.

[BronicaLee]

Definitely #3, if a certain thread grows and grows in both replies and attendance, then create a separate forum dedicated to that theme.

[lshofstra]

My vote's for #3, but I don't see a poll either. I'll see what happens when I post this...

[mike goldberg]

Hi... I voted for #3.It makes sense to have sub-categories for current gear.
It's like folder/file in PC lingo. The folder is the larger unit; it holds files.
In the files, there is data.

Remember that Repair will be at different levels. Some less complex tasks, we can do ourselves with step by step instructions... While others require specialized tools and
pro expertise.

Ciao, mike

[ErnestoJL]

I voted #3 as it is the most logical choice IMO.
Any question/experiences about (just an e.g.) Contax or Kiev cameras should be adressed to the right subforum, so no risks at all (same for other brands/types of course).

Ernesto

[Foto-factotum]

No. Three gets my vote.
Foto-factotum

[whitecat]

#2 gets my vote.

[Brian Sweeney]

> Are there that many of us here who actually can CLA or even repair a Nikon camera?

Enough of us to answer general questions regarding calibrating the RF, setting vertical alignment, cleaning the finder, modifying Kiev Mount lenses to work on Nikon RF's, removing/cleaning the helical, setting shims, etc. Those have all been posted in the Nikon Forum.

[fgianni]

I seems I can't vote, if I could it would be #2

[CameraQuest]

personally I don't like the idea of repair forums
while some people can do it
others end up thinking doing repairs are easier than it is
and end up trashing their camera
got an email today about someone who destroyed their "like new" Nikon SP
trying to "change" the viewfinder

but a lot of people seem to want repair forums
so repair forums we will have in some form.

remember, poll closes April 2

Stephen

[rover]

We all have a little Tim Allen in us. I am glad that the repair forum/s will be coming back. It has been a valued part of RFF.

[Brian Sweeney]

I think it was Modern Photography in ~1974 had an article on touching up "scruffy" black paint on cameras. They took it one step farther, and decided to paint a Contax II. Posted instructions on removing the body parts and using reverse-electro plating to remove the chrome. Painted the parts using primer, then black, baked the parts in an oven. Put the parts back on the camera, and it was beautiful.

Some idiot sent them a bill to replace his ruined Contax. The Idiot had skipped a few steps, spray painted the body and put the whole thing into the oven to bake the finish on. I wonder if he at least unloaded it before baking.

[clintock]

I think repair threads can serve as deterrent as much as encouragement to the would-be 'hack'. Knowing for example how one must either buy or make a pretty good tool to remove the advance lever ring 'nut' on the Leica M has led me to Youxin Ye instead of the vice-grips.
Although nothing would have saved the above mentioned baked Contax!

[Kim Coxon]

Stephen,
As far as proper camera repair is concerned, I couldn't agree with you more. It is a skilled job, it should only be done with the right tools and is best left to the pro's. However, I think there is a case for "tinkering" certainly on the cheaper cameras. Any of my Leica gear goes to Peter, my Pentax's go the Michael or Robin and most other's to Michael. There are a couple of members who I know are almost to their level but for the huge majority I would advise a pro repair.

However, there is a case for DIY. Simple adjustments such as RF alignment are within most peoples capability. Also in some cases, a camera is just not worth spending the cost of a pro repair. Quite a few members have "rescued" Canonets, other fixed lens RFs and more often FSU gear from the bin and I am happy to encourage this with "due warning".

When you look at most of the "repair" questions, the advice seems to follow these lines. The same has happened in such threads as repaints. It was for these reasons that I advocated a general repair forum rather than specific "brand" ones. A general disclaimer or warning can be at the top. If there was a repair forum in the Leica sections, I think most of the posts would be "Send it to DAG, Peter, Youxin etc etc"

Kim


personally I don't like the idea of repair forums
while some people can do it
others end up thinking doing repairs are easier than it is
and end up trashing their camera
got an email today about someone who destroyed their "like new" Nikon SP
trying to "change" the viewfinder

but a lot of people seem to want repair forums
so repair forums we will have in some form.

remember, poll closes April 2

Stephen

[jan normandale]

I'd vote for #2 , an independent repair forum with sub categories.

This site has many accomplished people who have written here on rrepairs to cameras and lenses. It should be a gold mine.