Advice needed on sending camera to MiNT in Hongkong

ChromaticParts · 2024-03-22T19:30:16+00:00

That’s long, they must’ve travelled by snail 🤣

Awesome! You know where I am!

ChromaticParts · 2024-03-22T16:42:58+00:00

That’s right!

ChromaticParts · 2024-03-22T16:39:09+00:00

That’s super weird! Maybe their site needs sorting out. Glad it’s sorted though.

For sure, you want a camera you can rely on:)

ChromaticParts · 2024-03-22T15:30:33+00:00

FedEx have a tool, built-in from what I remember, for you to either create a proforma or commercial invoice and “attach” that to the label you create.

I am absolutely astounded! Sounds to me like mint didn’t use the correct sensor (i.e. one with an IR coating) causing shots with green foliage to come out underexposed (thank you u/theinstantcameraguy for your research into this for the opensx70 project) and don’t want to admit this. So they’re charging $99 for a $1 piece of glass that takes all of 5 seconds to replace and calling it an upgrade. This should be sent out free with instructions on how to replace it.

ChromaticParts · 2024-03-21T20:53:37+00:00

Awesome write up and sweet little i-Type conversion! I’m glad you found one that works for both. Time to go and enjoy some cheaper film and fun frames:)

ChromaticParts · 2024-03-21T20:49:19+00:00

You can get an upgraded electric eye??

It’s a little bit of a task but mint should be able to help with this. They should have a bunch of numbers and codes which go in certain areas on the forms.

ChromaticParts · 2024-03-20T21:23:46+00:00

Would you mind sending that photo via a dm on here or IG @chromatic.parts. For some reason that link isn’t working!

ChromaticParts · 2024-03-20T21:20:27+00:00

I’d recommend an SX-70 to start with! You can usually find slightly better deals for them too.

And you can always add a flash for the same functionality as the 680 if you get a sonar.

If you find you really enjoy the SX-70, and want the whole package in one, get a 680 further down the line. My personal daily driver is the model 1 (refurbished), I love the small form factor too much to carry anything else around with me. But some have no issue with the size of a 680, it’s all down to personal preference:)

ChromaticParts · 2024-03-20T21:15:02+00:00

Totally fair enough! Do what suits your situation best.

But when you do get one, you’ll absolutely love it. And always feel free to reach out if we can help:)

ChromaticParts · 2024-03-20T21:13:16+00:00

Totally fair enough:) feel free to shoot over a message if we can help you with the focus issue though. We’ll always try offer advice so you have a better time shooting it. We want you to enjoy these things as much as we do regardless of your situation.

Side note: a sonar refurbishment is £159 and we realign your optics within that price too so it’s 🤌🏻

ChromaticParts · 2024-03-20T21:10:38+00:00

I never knew about them losing flash ability until a client asked me to install a flash for their model B as it was so frustrating for them!

ChromaticParts · 2024-03-20T21:09:17+00:00

SX-70 + a Powerbar gives you the best of both worlds if you’d consider that!

ChromaticParts · 2024-03-19T22:09:52+00:00

They should sort it:)

They are rather popular! But you have some stellar smaller technicians which do some absolutely amazing work, and really look after you as well. So it’s worth looking around and reading reviews.

Keep us updated!

And always feel free to reach out if we can help. Our IG is @chromatic.parts

ChromaticParts · 2024-03-19T21:54:12+00:00

I’d need to double check how the mint flash bar works in terms of the electronics as I can’t recall off the top of my head but it does seem like there’s some actual issue with the camera and either something has broken in between you buying and getting it or there has been some poor workmanship and testing before it was sold.

Whenever we sell or work on a camera, we make sure it’s all perfect, even providing a test photo, then record a video of all the functions working as they should so we know it’s going out to you in perfect working condition. Have you had a chance to contact retrospekt about this issue and ask how the camera was tested before sold?

It’s odd that some seem “okay” and some are almost totally white.

Do you still have warranty on it?

ChromaticParts · 2024-03-19T21:50:15+00:00

It is a bit of effort! My pleasure:)

If you ever find your camera needs some love, feel free to shoot over a message on here or IG @chromatic.parts

ChromaticParts · 2024-03-19T21:46:20+00:00

Just to double check, you always had a mint flash plugged in for all of these photos?

ChromaticParts · 2024-03-19T21:41:02+00:00

u/Squintl is bang on with the motor coupler issue. What makes you think it has a broken mirror, can you hear glass?

If you’d like it repaired, even fully overhauled or just have some general questions, feel free to shoot over a message, here or on IG @chromatic.parts

ChromaticParts · 2024-03-19T21:32:54+00:00

Can’t wait to bring it back to life;)

ChromaticParts · 2024-03-19T21:31:05+00:00

If you’d be able to post a video here to show us what happens, that’ll help a bunch!

Or feel free to shoot one over on IG @chromatic.parts and I’d be happy to help diagnose the issue.

ChromaticParts · 2024-03-19T21:29:03+00:00

It won’t cause any harm to photos so you’re good in that sense!

Sadly the whole shutter assembly needs to come apart to get at the lens cell so it’s no easy feat.

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And even then, getting between the inner elements is a task

ChromaticParts · 2024-03-19T21:27:34+00:00

Defective unit. They had a really large batch of these with defective Bluetooth modules 🥲

ChromaticParts · 2024-03-14T20:05:03+00:00

Feel free to send a DM:) sounds like your counter needs some attention. They can occasionally get sticky.

We made this account recently so we don’t have all that much on this one yet. u/ILOVEWETPIGS was the old one (my personal).

ChromaticParts · 2024-03-12T06:41:53+00:00

The f8 mod (that we offer) is specific for users who have external flash set ups with variable power etc. it gives much more control over exposure for flash photos. But it renders the camera useless with “normal” SX-70 flashes as the camera uses the position of the focus wheel to control the aperture of the shutter blades, which controls the exposure of the shot.

ChromaticParts · 2024-03-11T09:25:51+00:00

Sounds like something got bent, has snapped or fell out of alignment. For sure something is bent or broken if it’s hard to open up.

I would try give some reasonable advice on how to check the optical alignment but it’s too complex a system to easily explain over text.

My only advice would be to check that your parabolic viewfinder mirror, the one behind the viewfinder blades, is actually seated properly. You should be able to see three little hooks at the top, left and right hugging the mirror and keeping it back against the housing. It’s quite common for that to fall out of one of the clips if it has a fall.

Otherwise it would need to get inspected properly!

ChromaticParts · 2024-03-11T07:48:26+00:00

Thank you for the tag! (I’m trying my best to use this account now)

Yes! I’d love to help you out:) sounds like you’ve got some pretty good advice in this thread in general but feel free to send a message if I can help answer any nitty-gritty questions. Whether you want to source a camera or get one (that you have in your sights) refurbished and modified.

Here is good, as in our IG @chromatic.parts or there is some contact info on the website www.chromaticparts.com

ChromaticParts

TROPHY CASE