my new paperweight...

[rmuhlack]

attempted a DIY filter mod this evening on a spare 400D i picked up recently on eBay (on the cheap thankfully - see below).

well after a string of stuff-ups along the way - damaging a ribbon cable connector right at the start, stripping several key screws, then finding i need to get the soldering iron out (wasn't expecting that...), then after FINALLY getting to the sensor I scratch the anti-alias filter whilst removing the stock IR filter (so then i had to remove that too), getting glue on the new astrodon filter that arrived this afternoon from the US (duh!) so couldn't put that in after all & had to instead to go with no filters - i put it all back together hoping for a miracle. put in the battery...and nothing... looks like i just bricked the camera.

normally i have much better luck with my DIY projects - guess i was a bit out of my depth here, and it just wasn't my night.

think i'll be leaving my main DSLR well alone, and i've been getting some good results with my new astro imaging setup anyway

[leon]

Yes Richard it is a stressful time replacing those filters, :scared:I remember very well pulling apart the Canon 5D, it gave me a headache, and took a number of hours but all was well after the event.;)
If that little red light doesn't fire up at the switch you know it all went wrong, :sadeyes: I have done another two successfully after this.
Glad to hear it was only a cheap camera to start with, at least you know what to expect the next time, if there will be a next time.:shrug:

Leon :thumbsup:

[rcheshire]

Is any part of it recoverable Richard? If you are open to suggestions. It seems a pity to discard it. The Astrodon filter is hardy and removing the glue should be ok. Gently rubbing with alcohol or a mild solvent and a microfiber cloth. Alternatively soak it in a water bath until the glue peels away. Might take a few days depending on the glue. Silicon should peel off. Clean with alcohol.

[rmuhlack]

the astrodon filter is certainly recoverable.

I used some solvent and cotton tips to clean it as soon as i had the glue mishap, and it basically came off straight away. However, there were some 'smear' type marks left after, and whilst I'm sure they will come off with a wash and buff with a microfibre cloth, last night at the time i was just so stressed and annoyed at my errors that i decided to put it back together and worry about the astrodon later.

I also am wondering if the camera is not powering up because that ribbon cable i mentioned is misaligned. so might be worth another look with fresh eyes at a later date.

Maybe i should just save for a cooled CCD...

[leon]

That is a good point Rowland, those filters are tougher than suggested, and can take a fair beating before being stuffed so to speak.

Leon

[rcheshire]

Rubbing alcohol will clean the filter nicely. Ribbon cables are usually the issue with operation. Is the earth/ground cover in place properly with all screws tight to the chassis?

You're right Leon, the coating is very resilient.

Silicon in the corners is adequate to fix the filter in place, but don't use the acetic acid type.

[rmuhlack]

all may not be lost. went home at lunch time, and found that one of the ribbon clips was not seated properly, and also i had left out some some insulating tape that was covering part of the board. addressing these issues, and my camera works again...except...the screen and rear buttons dont work. this would be due to the ribbon cable connector i "altered" (its the one which connects the rear panel with LCD, buttons etc to the main board) which now has nothing to guide it in place so it is positioned correctly.

So, I reckon a bit of trial and error here and everything should be back to working order.

[rmuhlack]

Success!

After a few goes at reseating the problem ribbon cable, i now have a functioning camera again - yeah!:rockband::party2:

Haven't had a chance to clean and put back the Astrodon (although I probably will now i know the steps to disassemble/reassemble the camera), however i'm curious as to what sort of AP results I could expect with no filters installed :confuse3:

Certainly i was getting some 'interesting' colours when testing the camera in the garden just a few moments ago

[rcheshire]

Well done!

If you are using refractive optics you need the filter to get focus - the IR range affects focus. If reflective optics, a filter is not essential.

[trent_julie]

Richard,
Well done on the win, could I ask what brand of glue you used in the mod?

Trent

[rcheshire]

Don't use acetic acid based silicon...

[rmuhlack]

first light
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=86711

upon dis-assembly the second time, i decided to leave the astrodon out as i'd dinged up the filter holder pretty bad and i wasn't confident i could seat it parallel with the sensor. I've sourced an Astronomik L EOS-clip instead, and am quite happy with the results.

:thumbsup: