I spotted the following tidbit on the camera-fix list digest. If I
replace the seals on another camera I'll probably adopt JH's methods but
I can appreciate the utility of this tip after having struggled to get
self-stick foam into the back channels of one camera. If you don't use
the following trick, trying to get self-stick foam into the channel is
like trying to handle a writhing snake. The foam wants to stick to the
sides before it gets to the bottom. But, here's the solution. YMMV, I
haven't actually tried it.
Chuck Norcutt
Woburn, Massachusetts, USA
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Message: 22 from Camera-Fix list digest
Date: Fri, 07 Dec 2001 17:40:58 -0000
From: "junebug1701" <junebug1701@xxxxxxxxx>
Subject: Replacing light seal foam
I've seen a lot of suggestions as to what type of glue to use for
securing those foam strips used as light seals on camera backs. I've
found that on MOST cameras, you don't need any glue at all. I replaced
the foam on 3 of my SLR's and cut the strips to be approx. 1.5mm square.
These strips wedge nicely into the slots and stay put all by themselves.
Of course the back of the camera is closed 99.90f the time, so they're
not going anywhere. But I've never had one pop out or come loose when I
open up and load them.
But how do you get the old, gooey, sticky foam seals out in the first
place? There is a trick to it. Take a wood or plastic toothpick and pry
up the end of the old strip. These self-adhesive strips are just foam
stuck to double-sided cellophane tape. Keep poking at the end of the
strip until enough of the cellophane tape peels up, and then grab
the tape with tweezers or fingers, and carefully peel it off, taking the
old gook with it. This is the easiest way to get 950f the old stuff
out, and it leaves a nice clean slot to install the new seal.
For those of you that insist on the foam seals being stuck down by
adhesive, I suggest the self-adhesive Foamies or the stuff Micro-Tools
sell.
But how do you insert the sticky-backed foam strip into that little slot
without it twisting? There's a trick to that, too. Cut the foam into a
1.5mm strip, but a little longer than you need. Peel back an inch or 3cm
of the backing, then snip off the foam/tape, leaving the backing
hanging. Fold the backing against itself, and pull it back to
expose a few mm of the adhesive on the end. Take this end and place it
in the slot where your light seal begins. Press this end into place, and
if all is OK, start pushing down on the strip a little at a time with a
toothpick, while peeling the backing off underneath. Keep working it
down and peeling until you get to the end. This way,
you can get the strip into the proper position before the sticky tape is
exposed. Works for me!
James
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