maemo.org - Talk

maemo.org - Talk (https://talk.maemo.org/index.php)
-   Neo900 (https://talk.maemo.org/forumdisplay.php?f=57)
-   -   N900 main cam module - N97 a replacement? (https://talk.maemo.org/showthread.php?t=93121)

joerg_rw 2014-05-02 19:52

N900 main cam module - N97 a replacement?
 
Sourcing N900 genuine main cam modules is not easy and one of our most problematic possible roadblocks for shipping complete devices.
http://talk.maemo.org/showthread.php...19#post1423819 mentions successful replacement of N900 camera by a reworked N97 cam module. Looks like a SMIA95 socket on a flex cable with B2B connector, and a pretty similar looking cam module inserted into this socket
Additional info highly appreciated. Thanks!

/j

ryu1 2014-05-02 20:38

Re: N900 main cam module - N97 a replacement?
 
Well, i posted on that thread some pictures comparing the n97 cam with n900.
I think the modules are similar. Here is the n97 original module with the ribbon cable:

http://s23.postimg.org/c2467s9mz/20090101_002.jpg

and here is the same module with the ribbon removed. Note that the ribbon is not soldered but rather "sticked" to the cam (althought once removed it won't stick back on)

http://s16.postimg.org/5gz2rgsmt/20090101_001.jpg

As a side note, this pictures were taken with nokia n900 with the n97 camera module installed

nokiabot 2014-05-03 03:07

Re: N900 main cam module - N97 a replacement?
 
i also replaced my cam on one of my n900s previously but the orignal module was better with slight diffrences in colour and contrast and i didnt use a module from n97 i brought a module with no labels anywhere but on the plastic pack it was mentioned n97 n 86 module i opted for that as i found the info on wiki that they are comptiable:) anyway more people should test out ther damaged n900s with diffrent modules to get a concrete answer . Also i damaged 1 module it woud not focus so anyone be careful its dedicate thing furthermore it should be like use a new module to replace and do not try to extract from a diffrent working device as chances of damaging the module is good.

Estel 2014-05-03 05:15

Re: N900 main cam module - N97 a replacement?
 
As for removing module from mainboard - I found that every case I know about (including my own ones) when *removed* module ends up with broken focus (can focus only 'till some random close distance, like 15 centimeter or a meter, but not further away), involve using *metallic* things to remove module - like, broken shaving blade. Even if done *really* carefully, without any possible physical damage to module.

OTOH, when using *plastic* or other non-conductive, thin things to disable module locks, I got 100% success rate. I speculated about something getting broken due to magnets inside module interacting with metallic things, but I have no idea how it is possible. AFAIK - from post-mortem section of broken module - camera have fixed magnets in "case", and coil around part with lens, that is pushed away via little springs - calibrated current in coil created magnetic field that interacts with fixed magnets, and position lens where it should be.

I don't know how working on mobo without battery (=lens coil powered down?) inn could damage/destroy calibration of said lens and its coil :confused: But, statistic - while often lying - is damn useful, so I switched to plastic makeshift removal tools, and haven't had any problems with camera modules, since.

/Estel

ryu1 2014-05-03 21:06

Re: N900 main cam module - N97 a replacement?
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Estel (Post 1423907)
As for removing module from mainboard - I found that every case I know about (including my own ones) when *removed* module ends up with broken focus (can focus only 'till some random close distance, like 15 centimeter or a meter, but not further away), involve using *metallic* things to remove module - like, broken shaving blade. Even if done *really* carefully, without any possible physical damage to module.

OTOH, when using *plastic* or other non-conductive, thin things to disable module locks, I got 100% success rate. I speculated about something getting broken due to magnets inside module interacting with metallic things, but I have no idea how it is possible. AFAIK - from post-mortem section of broken module - camera have fixed magnets in "case", and coil around part with lens, that is pushed away via little springs - calibrated current in coil created magnetic field that interacts with fixed magnets, and position lens where it should be.

I don't know how working on mobo without battery (=lens coil powered down?) inn could damage/destroy calibration of said lens and its coil :confused: But, statistic - while often lying - is damn useful, so I switched to plastic makeshift removal tools, and haven't had any problems with camera modules, since.

/Estel

You are right, the camera autofocus mechanism works like an electromagent, but i don't think that a metal screwdriver really affect those magnets, most likely you pressed on the spring and bend it down.
However i opened my dead camera module, but didn't figure out why is not working anymore:

http://s29.postimg.org/pvoqz20bb/20140503_001.jpg

Estel 2014-05-04 18:32

Re: N900 main cam module - N97 a replacement?
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by ryu1 (Post 1423989)
most likely you pressed on the spring and bend it down.

No spring pushing. After first failed autofocus, I was EXTRA careful to not push anything I wasn't supposed to (even given that I was quite sure that I haven't pushed on the mask first time, either) - just broken blade put into correct places to disable locks and camera module gently removed, by putting small screwdriver into the known release space.

It still resulted in high failure rate - that, in turn, dropped to 100% success rate, when I started using plastic parts to disable locks. No idea what causes it, as I also don't think metal should affect those magnets in any way, but it doesn't look like coincidence.

/Estel

ryu1 2014-05-04 20:49

Re: N900 main cam module - N97 a replacement?
 
Strange, i used a small metal cutter to get the camera out, even touch with a metal screwdriver the n97 cam module, but it seems to work ok.

@joerg_rw, i read somwhere that the camera modules of nokia 6720, N79, N82, N85, N96 should also work, but i didn't tested any of those. If i'll find some of those phones second-hand, i'll buy and check the module compatibility.
Also what type of tin will be used in neo900? lead-free or the good old one?

joerg_rw 2014-05-04 21:20

Re: N900 main cam module - N97 a replacement?
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by ryu1 (Post 1424124)
@joerg_rw, i read somwhere that the camera modules of nokia 6720, N79, N82, N85, N96 should also work, but i didn't tested any of those. If i'll find some of those phones second-hand, i'll buy and check the module compatibility.
Also what type of tin will be used in neo900? lead-free or the good old one?

Thanks! :)
Neo900 will be RoHS compliant, thus lead-free. Anyway we will probably use a SMIA95 socket for the cam module, like on N900
[edit] nope, the 20pin B2B connector of N97 variant is way cheaper and more convenient to use, and also easier to find.

ryu1 2014-05-04 21:41

Re: N900 main cam module - N97 a replacement?
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by joerg_rw (Post 1424128)
Thanks! :)
Neo900 will be RoHS compliant, thus lead-free. Anyway we will probably use socket for the cam module

Soket meaning the same as nokia n97 module?

Estel 2014-05-05 05:55

Re: N900 main cam module - N97 a replacement?
 
I guess it's the same socket as in N900. Without any board2board cable.


All times are GMT. The time now is 13:57.

vBulletin® Version 3.8.8