Hello from Vienna

Andreas Thaler

Andreas Thaler

Messages
46
Name
Andreas
Edit My Images
No
I take photos on film (hybrid workflow with scanning/Photoshop) and digitally. I also collect electromechanical SLRs and accessories, with a focus on the 1980s. I'm interested in both the practical and theoretical aspects.

My main interest is in non-commercial DIY service and repair of electromechanical film SLRs for which there are no or only limited repair options. For example, the Nikon F4, F3, FG, Canon T90, Minolta 5000/7000/9000 AF, and others.

My goal is to preserve electromechanical SLRs and to pass on the necessary knowledge and skills to DIY enthusiasts, based on original sources from the manufacturers and leading training institutions for camera technicians at the time (National Camera, US).

I’ve written extensively about this on PHOTRIO and photo.net, including repair reports and a 14-part self-study guide for repairing and servicing such SLRs.

I’m wondering if there’s any interest here in this topic and in detailed repair reports? I’m currently working on a report about the 1986 Minolta (Maxxum, Alpha) 5000 AF. I’m happy to answer any questions you may have.

Can I post photos here on the forum? Is there a limit?
 
Last edited:
IMG_8794.jpegIMG_8798.jpegIMG_8799.jpegIMG_8800.jpegIMG_8801.jpeg

The photos are working now.

Here are some from the ongoing Minolta 5000 AF project.

The camera has been disassembled down to the shutter, documented, and is being reassembled. Then the flange focal distance will be measured with a depth gauge, the curtain travel times will be checked, and the automatic exposure system will be tested with a camera tester and adjusted as needed.

As far as I know, the Minolta (Maxxum, Alpha) 5000 AF has not yet been publicly documented. Camera repair shops do not accept Minolta’s first-generation AF cameras. But with a little initiative on your part, a lot is possible.
 
Welcome Andreas. I'm not sure how many here are capable of DIY repairs on cameras, but there are a number who do still use film. Your project is also interesting to me because I still occasionally use a Minolta 7000 that I bought around 1988.

I hope you find the site interesting and can become involved in the community here.
 
ancient_mariner said:
Welcome Andreas. I'm not sure how many here are capable of DIY repairs on cameras, but there are a number who do still use film. Your project is also interesting to me because I still occasionally use a Minolta 7000 that I bought around 1988.
Click to expand...

Thank you very much for the warm welcome!

My main project is complete and can be found on PHOTRIO:

Photo equipment from the 1980s: Repair projects and recommendations

A guide to servicing and repairing electromechanical SLRs

I’m now focusing on individual projects and furthering my knowledge.

Since I want to get others interested in DIY, I try to keep my posts easy to understand.

I’m also deeply involved in exploring the use of AI in repair work. I see great potential here for working with technical documentation, troubleshooting, and clarifying technical questions.

But Claude (Anthropic) also delivers amazing results for me in photography at the higher performance levels.

I just had Claude prepare a paper for my Canon PowerShot G5X on ETTR (Exposing to the right) and various exposure metering methods that can be used for this purpose. I have a good understanding of this topic and am thrilled with the paper. It’s a fascinating subject.

Regarding the Minolta 7000 AF please see:

Minolta (Maxxum, Alpha) 7000 AF: Recommendations for service and repair work

ancient_mariner said:
I hope you find the site interesting and can become involved in the community here.
Click to expand...

Absolutely. Since I’ve started taking photos on the streets of Vienna again, I’m looking forward to photo reviews and professional discussions.

One more note: My native language is German, and I translate my texts using DeepL, so there might be some traces of German in there—I ask for your understanding.
 
Andreas Thaler said:
One more note: My native language is German, and I translate my texts using DeepL, so there might be some traces of German in there—I ask for your understanding.
Click to expand...

I'm sure that will be fine, I use Deepl sometimes, and it's generally reliable and often better than google. Interestingly I was born in Vienna, but moved to the UK at 1 year old, and only have the tiniest bit of German language.
 
ancient_mariner said:
I'm sure that will be fine, I use Deepl sometimes, and it's generally reliable and often better than google. Interestingly I was born in Vienna, but moved to the UK at 1 year old, and only have the tiniest bit of German language.
Click to expand...

What a coincidence!

German is complicated and is spoken in only a few countries. Unlike English.

My English is decent, but DeepL does a better job. Plus, all the technical literature on camera repair is in English.
 
Last edited:
Hi and welcome to the forum, enjoy ;)
 
Hi Andreas, And welcome aboard TP, looking forward to hearing from you and maybe seeing some more of your images on the various forums. "Enjoy"
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top