Advice on broken Chinon 1206 SM directsound -> sell or ke

Post by **Number6** » Thu Jan 26, 2006 5:41 am

Hi,

I was just wondering what the concensus was on this model, since I don't know much about it myself. Is it worth keeping and fixing up, or should I sell it?

Mine has a working lens but smashed glass and the interior battery casing is missing although the handle closes completely. The eyepiece is also mostly stripped away.

Otherwise it appears to be in good working order. This is not a picture of my particular camera, but it is my model, and it represents the general condition of it--except for the lens, which you can't see in this picture anyway.

Post by **Joe Gioielli** » Thu Jan 26, 2006 7:20 pm

Number6

I ran a google search on your camera and didn't get any real hits. I checked the specs and it seemed like it was a decent cam.

If you can get it fixed, it will take time a money. And the grim reality with second hand equipment is that you can often replace it for less than a repair. BUT - another grim reality of seconf hand equipment is that you never really know what you're getting. The old "Catch 22" strikes again.

So, my thoughts, it may not be a fancy German or French camera, but it seems pretty good. Go to Radio Shak and get a "4 aa" battery box. If you know anyone that can solder, see if you can wire the box into the motor. The idea is just to see it the motor powers up. If it does, get an estimate. If it is reasonable, and you can afford it, get it done.

This way you have a camera that you know has been serviced.

Joe

Post by **Number6** » Thu Jan 26, 2006 8:43 pm

Thanks,

Thats an idea. I've got a soldering iron myself, maybe I'll try it. Then, if it runs, there is a camera repair shop in town that might enjoy the lens challenge.

Eric

Post by **downix** » Fri Jan 27, 2006 7:12 am

I own one of these, hands down some of the best glass I've used on Super8. Great camera all in all. I have a spare battery pack if you need one.

Post by **Evan Kubota** » Fri Jan 27, 2006 7:23 am

What do you mean 'lens working' but the glass is smashed? If the lens is damaged, toss it...

Post by **Number6** » Fri Jan 27, 2006 8:32 am

Evan Kubota wrote:What do you mean 'lens working' but the glass is smashed? If the lens is damaged, toss it...

I mean the zoom and focus work, but the camera was dropped at some point before I aquired it, so the top glass is cracked. That's the part that would need repairing.

Post by **Evan Kubota** » Fri Jan 27, 2006 8:45 am

The chance of finding an exact replacement lens element is minuscule, I think. Shoot film with the cracked lens ;)

Post by **downix** » Fri Jan 27, 2006 1:37 pm

Any chance of a picture of the cracked glass?

A replacement lens element is not out of the question for this, thankfully, as the glass in it is still made by SMC Pentax. But most people have a filter they put in front to take any damage, and if yours does, then the filter would be the one cracked, and that is easily replaceable.

Post by **jopsuper8** » Fri Jan 27, 2006 10:25 pm

The large Chinon sound models run on 9 volts. 99% of the time the original 6 AA battery pack is missing. You can make your own by using a Radio Shack 4 AA cube type holder with snap contacts and a 2 AA holder. Wire them together appropriately for 9 volts output. The 4 AA cube holder fits nicely in the handle and the snap contacts match up well with the camera's battery contacts. The 2 AA holder won't fit in the handle, so you'll probably have to secure it outside of the handle. I have mine taped flat to the bottom of the handle out of the way and it does the job. I can post pics if you want to try this yourself.

Chinon cameras are overall nice. Very quiet and high quality shooting.

jopsuper8

Post by **Number6** » Sat Jan 28, 2006 11:04 pm

downix wrote:Any chance of a picture of the cracked glass?

A replacement lens element is not out of the question for this, thankfully, as the glass in it is still made by SMC Pentax. But most people have a filter they put in front to take any damage, and if yours does, then the filter would be the one cracked, and that is easily replaceable.

I'm out of town this weekend, but I'll try to post it when I get back. The reason I used a generic picture before is that I've misplaced my digital camera and for the life of me I can't find it right now--maybe I'll borrow from a neighbor. Anyway, I'll try.

Even if it is the filter, more than basic work will need to be done because there is a small dimple on the outer diameter of the lens casing at the point of impact, so it looks something like this from the front:

I'm not the world's greatest artist, but you get the idea. I don't know if anything about the glass is saveable with it in that condition. Frankly I'm surprised the zoom and focus do work. I really want to save this camera, but I don't want to take on a futile mission.

Post by **Rick Palidwor** » Mon Jan 30, 2006 12:37 am

I have used these and they deliver nice results, but from your description, is it worth messing with? You can find another for $50. Save this one for parts.

Rick