Course Outline

Lesson 1
Camera Operation & Design
Definition of camera
Modern Camera Categories
Viewing and Focusing Systems
Lenses
Shutters
Light Meters Methods
Exposure Control
Displays
Electronic Flash
Film Transport
Digital Image Storage
Recording the Image
Digital Imaging
Cleaning CCDs
The Low Pass Filter
Digital Infrared Conversions

Hands On Lab
SLR Camera, external tests
.. Camera optional

Training DVD
Introduction to Film and Camera

Lesson 11
Servicing Single Lens Reflex Cameras
Getting Started
Hands On Experience:
Disassembly / Reassembly
Using Repair Information
Soldering
General Techniques

Hands On Lab
SLR Camera, disassembly
(Digital / film SLR relationship)

Training DVD
DVD, CD, or Service Manual

Lesson 2
Soldering Techniques and Tools
Basic Soldering Techniques
Tools
Magnifiers & Parts Tray
Manuals
Tools after Graduation
Update to Tools
Oscilloscopes in 30 minutes
Digital White Lightboxes
Digital Focus Tools
Depth of Focus Jig
Optical Bench
Other Cool Tools
Micro Brushes
CF Straightening Tool
Digital Vernier Caliper

Hands On Lab

Flex circuit for soldering
10 ohm,
1K ohm, and Flash Discharge resistors

Tool Kit for the course



Training DVD
Soldering

Lesson 3
Analog Electronic Circuits
Electricity
Analogies
The Components
Semiconductors
Transistors
Integrated Circuits
Operational Amplifiers
Comparators
Analog Electronics in Digital Cameras
MD FPC
Flash PCB
DC/DC Converter
Fuses

Hands On Lab
Analog Breadboard
(transistors, lightmeter op amp circuits)

Training DVD
Using Camera Test Equipment

Lesson 4
Digital Electronic Circuits
Binary Systems
Transistors and Binary Codes
Binary Numbers
Binary Coded Decimals
Binary Arithmetic
Digital Building Blocks
Gates
Truth Tables
Logic Networks
The Clock
Binary Adders
Combinational & Sequential Logic
Encoders
Multiplexers
Memory Registers
Processors
Some History
Why They Work
Communication
Loose Ends
Code Generators
Position Counts
Displays
Shutter Speed Control
Practical Notes on Logic

Hands On Lab

Digital Breadboard

Lesson 5
Power Supply Systems
Batteries Types and Applications
Batteries for Digital Cameras
Secondary Power Systems
Power Latches
Switching Transistors
Battery Check Circuit
Voltage Regulators
Clocks
Back Up Systems
Backup Batteries
Backup Capacitors
DC/DC Converters
DC/DC Converters in Digital Cameras
DC/DC Converter Troubleshooting
DC Power Supplies for Troubleshooting
Using Power Supplies
Measuring Current Consumption
Open Circuits

Hands On Lab
SLR Camera, test a DC/DC power circuit

Training DVD
Electronic Camera Systems

Lesson 15
Film Transport & Image Storage
Film Wind Cycle
Film Transport Interlocks
Blank Shot Prevention
Double Exposure Prevention
Film Transport
Film Drive
Film Metering and Storage
Counting Exposed Film
Rewinding Exposed Film
Manual Drives
Motor Drives
External Motors
Internal Motors
Motor Control
Motor Basics
Motor Control and Electronic Switches
Transport Motor Functions
Prewind
Auto Loading and 1st Frame Advance
Film Metering
Single Frame Advance
Take Up Spool
Sprocket and Film Metering Roller
Mechanical Film Metering
Electronic Film Metering
120 / 220 Film Metering
Film Metering Roller
Counting Exposed Frames
Mechanical Exposure Counters
Electronic Exposure Counters
Rewind
35mm Rewind Methods
Rewind Fork
Manual Rewind
Power Rewind
Automatic Power Rewind
Time Out
CAS Frame Count
APS systems
Transport Motor Drive Examples
Troubleshooting Film Transport
Digital Image Storage
Introduction
Image Storage
Memory Card Problems

Hands On Lab
SLR Camera, test film transport

Training DVD
DVD, CD, or Service Manual

Lesson 6
Camera Metering Circuits
Digital Cameras
Digital Electronics / Digital Cameras
Measuring Light
Photovoltaic Cells
CdS Cells
Photodiodes
Matrix Cells
Photodector Locations
Lens Shutter Compact Cameras
Troubleshooting and Testing Photo detectors
Testing CdS cells
Testing Photodiodes
Film & Digital Sensitivity
Converting ISO into an Electronic Property
Digital Sensor ISO
Film CAS
Understand CAS Codes
Digital Exposure Calculations
Other A/D Methods
Digital Metering Circuits
Binary Code Generators
Metering Circuit Calculations
Troubleshooting Metering Circuits
Light Circuit
ISO Circuits
CAS Codes
Aperture and Shutter Dial Inputs
Avo
Apex Tables

Hands On Lab
SLR Camera, test the Lightmeter Circuit

Lesson 16
Troubleshooting Digital & Electronic Cameras
Troubleshooting Sequence
Defining and Testing Components
Resistors
Fuses
CdS Cells
Variable Resistors and Potentiometers
Diodes
Zeneer Diodes
Photodiodes
Bipolar Transistors
Capacitors
Magnets
Hybrid Magnets
Integrated Circuits
Locating causes of Battery Drain
Troubleshooting and Repair Defined by Era
Mechanical Era
Electronic Manual Focus SLRs
Autofocus SLRs
Digital Cameras
Troubleshooting
External Tests First
Disassembly and Repair Next
Locate the Source
Do the Repair
Test after the Repair
The Secret of Switches
Repairs using an Oscilloscope
Troubleshooting a Canon D30
Troubleshooting a Canon Digital Rebel / 300D
Doing a Sneak and Peak! Getting Fancy
Flash TTL problem with a Canon D30
Flash test on a Nikon D70
Making Money
Troubleshooting Flowcharts
Flash
Exposure Control
Motor Control
Typical Autofocus System
Typical Rangefinder Autofocus
Digital Camera Flowchart
Power
Lightmeter
Image
Flash
Release / Shutter / Diaphragm
Autofocus

Training DVD
Troubleshooting

Lesson 7
Release System
Logic of Release
Comparing Film & Digital Models
Film P/S Release Systems
Digital P/S Release Systems
Film SLR Release Systems
Digital SLR Release Systems
Troubleshooting & Repair
Film and Digital P/S Release Problems
SLR Release Problems
Motor Driven Film & Digital SLRs

Hands On Lab
SLR Camera, test electronic release

Lesson 17
Repairing Digital Point & Shoot Cameras
Troubleshooting Digital P/S Cameras
Existing Problems
Introduced Problems
General Strategy
Tips
Static .. Hidden enemy!
True Stories
What Techs know about Digital P/S Repair
Typical Repairs
Zoom Lens Failures
Dead Cameras
Memory Card Unit Failures

Flash Failures
TFT Repair
Board Level Repair
Connectors
The Business of Digital P/S Repair

Hands On Lab
Digital P/S Camera, troubleshoot & repair

Training DVD
DVD, CD, or Service Manual

Lesson 8
Servicing SLR Lens
Lens Service
Glass and Coatings
Diaphragms
Focus Mounts
Lubrication
Adjustments
Focal Length and Maximum Aperture
Service
Servicing Autofocus Lens
Disassembly / Reassembly
F/min
Lens ROM
Lens ROM Compatibility
Lens Drive
Analog Motors
Digital Motors
Digital Lens
Factors
Construction Quality
AF Defocus Compensation

Hands On Lab
Disassemble a Manual Focus Lens
Disassemble an Autofocus Lens, optional

Training DVD
Servicing Lens
AF/EF Lens (made for Canon Inc.)

Lesson 18
Repairing Single Lens Reflex Cameras
Troubleshooting SLR Cameras
Existing Problems
Introduced Problems
General Strategy
Tips
Static .. Hidden enemy!
True Stories
What Techs know about Digital P/S Repair
Typical Repairs
Dead Cameras
Short Battery Life
Lightmeter Problems
Autofocus Problems
Release Problems
Diaphragm Failures
Shutter Failures
Flash Failures
Film Transport Failures

Hands On Lab
SLR Camera, troubleshoot & repair

Training DVD
DVD, CD, or Service Manual

Lesson 9
Autofocus Systems
Point & Shoot Autofocus
How Rangefinder Work
AF Rangefinders
P/S AF Lens Mounts
Focus Zones
Autofocus & Flash
Troubleshooting
SLR Autofocus
History
Systems
Highlights
Interfaces
Troubleshooting
Common AF Malfunctions
Testing and Adjusting AF SLR Cameras
I3A/ISO Resolution Chart
Testing Digital Focus
Testing Parameters
Focus System
Sensor
Screen
Autofocus
Tools
Aligning the Camera with the Focus Plane
Fuji Test Station
Check for a Flat Plane of Focus
Check the Degree of Focus / Focus Shift
Checking the Mirror and Sub Mirror
Checking Image Sensor Resolution
Measuring Lens Flange Focal Distance
Autofocus Lens Odds and Ends

Hands On Lab
P/S Camera, test the AF system
SLR Camera, test the AF system

Lesson 10
Servicing Lens Shutter Zoom Lenses
Getting Started
Hands On Experience:
Disassembly / Reassembly
Using Repair Information
Soldering
General Techniques

Hands On Lab
Lens Shutter Camera, zoom tube disassembly
(Digital / film P/S relationship)

Training DVD
DVD, CD, or Service Manual

Lesson 19
Digital SLR Repair

Digital SLR Systems
Power
Batteries
DC/DC Converter
Logic
Repairs
Lightmeter
Repairs
Autofocus
Repairs
Release
Repairs
Logic is about switches
Diaphragm
Repairs
Shutter
Repairs
Image Sensors
Repairs
TFT LCD
Repairs
Flash
Image System
Image Compression Board
Image Sensor
TFT Driver Board
TFT LCD
Memory Unit
More Cleaning Image CCD Tips
Quick Tips
Tools
Testing
Charges
Stereo Microscopes
File Formats
The simple story
JPEG
RAW / NEF
EXIF
TIFF
DCS
A word about File Sizes
Computer Files
GIF
PICT
EPS
FPX, Photo CD, APS

Transferring the Image
Port Type / Cable
Drivers
Graphic Software
Transfer Problems
File Resolution
Printing
Scanning
Printing Methods
Color Inkjet
Laser
Dye Sublimation
Light Jet
Photo Lab
Digital Color Management Tips
Digital Calibration
White Balance and Color
Test Equipment
Test Cards
Test Readers
Software
Computer

Test Charts
Test Equipment
Adjustments
Most repairs do not require adjustments

Adjusting the Canon G1 Digital Camera
Color Calibration
Flash Calibration
Lv 12 Calibrations
Autofocus Calibration
CCD Image Calibration
LCD Calibration
TTL Calibration

Digital SLR Disassembly
Body Design
Lead Free Solder
FPC Connectors
Lens Flange Focal Distance
Troubleshooting Digital SLR Cameras

General Strategy
Important Tips
What Techs know about Digital SLR Repair
Typical Repairs
Shutter Failures
Dead Cameras
Memory Card Unit Failures
Release Failures
Flash Failures

Hands On Lab
Digital SLR Camera, optional *

Training DVD
C&C and SPT CDs on Digital SLR

The Camera Repair Business
The Industry Today
Repairs Then and Now
Repairs Changed
Electronics Create Changes
Repair Dollars
Brands
What Do They Shoot
Digital SLR Sales are Hot
Where You Fit In
New Trends
Emerging Repair Market

The Shop
Retail Location
Home Office
Inside Your Shop
The Chair
The Workbench
Floor Coverings
Storage
Computer Station
Lighting
Test Equipment

Tools & Equipment
The Love of Tools
Tools for Camera Service
Equipment
Absolutely Necessary
Take our Advise
Tools for Digital Cameras

Getting Started
What Do You Want to Fix
A Common Mistake
A Warning
Specializing
Pro vs. Amateurs
Types of Professional Clients
Becoming a Warranty Station
Pricing and Income
What Else Can You Fix
Minimum Charge
Evolving Business Models
Knowing What to Fix
Repair Life
Age & Use
Keeping Current
Geographic Problems
Production Lot Problems
When to Ship it Back
Bailouts
Water Damage

Parts
Important Tips
What You Should Stock
How to Start Ordering Parts
Ordering Tips
When to Order
Storage & Organization
Buy a Body
Costing your Parts
Making a Part
One Last Word

The Business of Business
What's In a Name
Forms and Other Paperwork
Keeping Your Books
Setting Up Your Books
Payroll
Paying Bills
Licenses
Initial Investment
Getting to Know your Banker
Money Going Out
Going After Business
Billing
Pick Up and Delivery
Your Warranty
Re-Repairs
FAX Machines
Email
Web Pages
Computers and your Business

The Day to Day
Shop Hours
Your Personal Schedule
Telephone & Email
How to Fall Asleep at your Bench
Exercise
At the Bench
Time Off
Your Shipping Department

Customer Relations
Things the Cause Hard Feelings
Fighting Over Warranty
Long Repair Times
Changing Estimates
Confidence with Customers
Leaving the Customer Feeling Good
Advice for the Shy Person
The Hostile Customer
Summing it Up

Getting Bigger
Hiring a Counter Person
SOP
Hiring another Tech
What it costs to Hire Someone
Intangible Costs
Can You Manage
Should You Incorporate
Retirement Plans
Extra Money Makers
OSHA

Shop Lore
Adhesives
Solvents and Cleaners
Lubricants
Solders and Soldering Aids
Electronic Components
Tips and Tricks
Liquid Damage
Ways to Lose Money
Ways to Make
Money Sources

Overall Business Strategy
The Business of Business
Marketing
Advertising
Super Size
Evolve your Business Model
Know what sells Repairs
Offer New Services
Get Excited and start shooting
Digital
Offer Training
Business Spotlight