DonTBarnes Loc: Oakland, TN

Hey folks. I have an A1 that I need to replace the battery door. How do I get the hinge pin removed? Only option I have figured out so far is brute force. :D

Any help greatly appreciated.

RicknJude Loc: Quebec, Canada

This may help. From Manual Focus Forum.

I've had a broken battery door on one of my A-1 bodies for several years. I bought a replacement door but never got around to making the swap because (1) the action grip covered the damaged corner of the old door and kept it closed, and (2) I had also gotten a T90 so the A-1s don't get much use.
This thread somehow galvanized me into action. This morning, I replaced the door without incident. A few things I learned, or which were not entirely clear to me previously:
1. You need a very sharp pair of needlenose pliers for this task. One reason my previous (halfhearted) efforts hadn't gone very far was that I couldn't get a decent grip on the hinge pin. Today I went to the local discount imported tool emporium and bought a cheap, sacrificial pair of bent-nose needlenose pliers, which I then used a bench grinder to make fine enough to get into the available space.
2. The hinge pin must move toward the TOP of the camera. I'm sure that's been covered, but I must've missed it.
3. It takes quite a bit of effort to break the pin loose. It appears that it was originally glued into place at the top end, as there was a ring of black plastic residue on the pin when I removed it.
4. After breaking the pin loose, I moved it up far enough to clear the bottom hinge on the batter door, then carefully worked the bottom end of the door out and down. Once the bottom end of the door is clear of the camera, use the pliers to gently bend the bottom of the pin out and pull it free along with the door and spring.
5. Pay attention to how the damn spring goes in. I'm kind of stupid that way, and it wasn't until the third attempt that I reinstalled the spring correctly.
6. Put the hinge pin though the top hinge of the new door, capturing the spring. Reinstall the pin and door in the reverse of the removal sequence.
7. My A-1 does NOT have a hole for the pin at the bottom of the compartment. It simply bottoms out against a metal bit and there is a very slight raised edge that retains it. This, plus having broken the adhesive at the top of the pin, may result in a less-secure installation, but like Ditto I think the action grip will keep everything safe.

DonTBarnes Loc: Oakland, TN

Thank you!! Brute force it is!!! LOL :mrgreen:

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

Did someone say blunt force trauma?

olcoach Loc: Oregon

I think there may be a large number of photographers suffering from blunt force trauma. Or maybe something worse!

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

Blunt Force Trauma: The result of being struck multiple times by a Nikon F with an FTn Photomic Finder, motor drive and a 55mm f/1.2 lens, swung, for lethal effect, at the end of a neck strap.

Definition 2: Same except above device is attached firmly to the end of a monopod.

Dlevon Loc: New Jersey

I have 2 A-1 bodies and never broke a battery compartment door. You guys are tough!

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I've found that a hammer and a pair of Vice Grips can do almost anything. :D

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

If too much trauma from Jerry's hammer, get the third most powerful tool in the toolkit: Duct Tape to hold it all back together ...:-)

DonTBarnes Loc: Oakland, TN

Naw, I'm a gentle guy with my equipment. This one came that way with other goodies I wanted. But I do have a big tool box with a wide assortment of hammers. :)

Bloke Loc: Waynesboro, Pennsylvania

Wow! People still using A1s... I had one for many years, but sold it when raising money for my move to the US in 1990. I didn't think there would be many of them around these days, with the digital stuff that's available.
It was a great camera...

Currently I am using a digital 'pocket' camera, which is convenient, and gets pretty good results. I am constantly trying to convince myself that I can afford a good DSLR, though... Maybe tax rebate season, who knows?

SENSORLOUPE

I vote for the Duct Tape!! :thumbup:

DonTBarnes Loc: Oakland, TN

It is cheaper than you think to get back in. My tact was to find an older digital in good shape. Got a Canon 10D with <500 clicks for about $50. To build a lens collection cheap and quick, I bought early eos film cameras. I donated the bodies and extra/unwanted lenses to the Boy Scouts. I gave the 10D and several lenses to my son and moved up to a 30D. Love it!! I eventually sprang the bucks for a 60D when they came out. Nice, but I'm so used to the 30D that I rarely use it. I initially had a real nice assortment of lenses and camera body for under $300. If you are staying with Canon, I highly recommend the 30/40/50D's as a reasonable starting point.

I can't speak to Nikons, but I know with patience you can find a good bargain. Just be aware that a toad or two may pop up, but then you have plenty of spare parts! :)

Here is a hint for a camera case: Pelicans are nice, but real expensive. Go to Lowe's (home improvement) and go to the tools section. They have a metal case with removable foam for about $20. Cheap, sturdy, and works great.

SWFeral Loc: SWNM

I lost the battery door to my A-1 years ago and it never caused me a problem. Also lost the rewind thingy, which was more of a problem.

Budnjax Loc: NE Florida

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pvp4jXco2Tw

This is for a very similar AL-1