replacing worn light seals.

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mykal900

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How difficult is it to replace expired light seals on an slr? I have a canon ae1 with mirror box issues.

Thanks in advance.
 
Piece of cake. Make sure you get the correct kit (pre cut).

Get plenty of cotton buds and cleaning solution (I use Isopropyl Alcohol - off the web)

Make sure you clean the old stuff off thoroughly and don't drop bits into the camera and then stick the new bits on.

Fiddly, but not difficult.
 
mykal900 said:
How difficult is it to replace expired light seals on an slr? I have a canon ae1 with mirror box issues.

Thanks in advance.
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It's dead easy, Jon goodman, a member on TP supplies pre-cut kits for most cameras. He's based in the US but he can usually supply in a few days and for about $10 (it's been a while so this may have increased)

Contact him on JGood21967@aol.com

I've used his kits for a variety of cameras over the last few years and his seals are the best and the instructions are excellent.
 
john-oh said:
Piece of cake. Make sure you get the correct kit (pre cut).

Get plenty of cotton buds and cleaning solution (I use Isopropyl Alcohol - off the web)

Make sure you clean the old stuff off thoroughly and don't drop bits into the camera and then stick the new bits on.

Fiddly, but not difficult.
Click to expand...

This is important and the only thing you can get wrong really...gummy bits of foam getting into the shutter or stuck to the mirror of focusing screen. Last couple of times I've done it I've taped a piece of card across the film gate so no bits can drop in to the shutter. Just makes it a more relaxing and less worrying process. To keep the mirror and focusing screen make sure you hold the camera in a position so bits drop away from the body, not into it.

Best advice really is to prepare well and take your time. It's quite a pleasurable process if you get it right.
 
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Thanks for the info guys. I'll definitely check out John Goodman with a view to placing an order.
 
As others have said, quite easy to do. I used lighter fluid as a more readily-available solvent than isop. alcohol, the likes of bamboo skewers with the sharp point cut off make an excellent tool for scraping off the residue of old seals if you end up doing the door seals.
 
oddly enough i just cleaned off my old seals for my ricoh rangefinder easy peasy.
i used nail polish remover and cotton buds.
 
Mr Bump said:
oddly enough i just cleaned off my old seals for my ricoh rangefinder easy peasy.
i used nail polish remover and cotton buds.
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I wouldn't let nail varnish remover (acetone) anywhere near a camera of mine. It will dissolve a huge range of plastics and paints. The clue is in the title of the product. Indeed, Jon Goodman explicitly warns against its use in an old guide to his seals. http://www.kyphoto.com/classics/sealreplacement.html I've used lighter fluid (Ronsonol) to do my seals and as long as you let it soak for a little while, it gets the old gunk off just fine.
 
As an extra source of good kits, I've just replaced the full set on my OM 1. I used Aki Asahi got 3 full sets for about 10$.Posted and received in a week.
 
While we're on the subject, and I admit this is a bit 'niche', Sover Wong provides kits specifically for Nikon F, F2, F3 and Nikkormats.

http://soverf2repair.webs.com/Foam_kits.htm

The guy is a perfectionist and these kits are as used by Nikon service centres. They're also very cheap.

And if you need an F or F2 serviced, there is nobody in his league.
 
TheGreatSoprendo said:
While we're on the subject, and I admit this is a bit 'niche', Sover Wong provides kits specifically for Nikon F, F2, F3 and Nikkormats.

http://soverf2repair.webs.com/Foam_kits.htm

The guy is a perfectionist and these kits are as used by Nikon service centres. They're also very cheap.

And if you need an F or F2 serviced, there is nobody in his league.
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Hi, I've used this guys kits both on a Nikon F3 & a Nikon FE2 and found them to be excellent. Really quick service and lots of info/instructions with the kit.
 
Sover is a legend, I've not bought seals from him but have had camera brought back to life by him, top notch service.
 
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