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

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

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.

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

Re: N900 main cam module - N97 a replacement?
 

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

Re: N900 main cam module - N97 a replacement?
 

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

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?

Re: N900 main cam module - N97 a replacement?
 

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.

Re: N900 main cam module - N97 a replacement?
 

Soket meaning the same as nokia n97 module?

Re: N900 main cam module - N97 a replacement?
 

I guess it's the same socket as in N900. Without any board2board cable.

Re: N900 main cam module - N97 a replacement?
 

Humm today i replaced cam modules of n97 n86 3110 n70 and some chineese and samgsung si*h (they are hard to find and replace) funny thing is the modules wich dont have focus mechanism are better in quality aka orignal equivalent and easy to replace withot damaging . I even attached detached the modules of 3110 and n70 several times they didnt fail heck i dropped them on the floor from a meter and still functional :D On the other hand the n97 n85 modules were a diffrent catch they didnt provide quality like orignal though n97 module said oem the n86 provided satisfactory results as i had one to test lowlight was better in the orignal module wheras daylight didnt had much diffrence apart from more natural colors and shadows in the orignal and better contrast in aftermarket module . I didnt dare to stress test them buttt i retached and detached the n97 module with plastic edge with great care and it was sucessful:D . The samgsung was a easy go and the chineese were a pain in the *** it was more about checking and checking which fits and operates as serials on the ribbons of those modules arent of much use as they are hard to find even harder to replace if the clip dosent match or hell if the ribbon is directly solderd to board in unusual places . P.s the 3310 aftermarket module was exceptionaly better took photos better then the orignal in every aspect (?) when viewed on a pc.

Re: N900 main cam module - N97 a replacement?
 

Post edited as i cliked reply accidently in middle :D So maybe the n97 etc oem module can improve the pic quality slightly or if like the 3110c gave better results as i noted there may be some better modules than the stock on the wild :) so i would request a procedure of trial and error with sevral modules when you guys are on looking on the camera dept.

Re: N900 main cam module - N97 a replacement?
 

If genuine N97 mini would pe possible or even genuine N86, that would be a major win in terms of quality. N82 gives also very nice results. Just saying what I know about picture quality, not if it fits the board. But nokia improved the n97 mini cam in regard to the "default" n97

Re: N900 main cam module - N97 a replacement?
 

So in hunt of better cam i tried 3 camera modules on n97 each with a diffrent catch one was exceptionaly better ie it was sharp felt more detailed shadow areas were more visible low light was better ,actualy a tad bit better . I think camera software has much to do in terms of quality as night mode and sunlight shots felt it could do more . Cheapest one was bad damm it didnt focus ?? I suspect it does not have a focus mech in it as it took pictures normaly without much blur on far objects just like non auto focus cameras not like what happens when n900 cam focus is damaged .

The last one was normal acceptable but not like oem .. Btw I dont know what i am trying to prove here ???:D

Re: N900 main cam module - N97 a replacement?
 

You're helping on evaluation for Neo900 component sourcing. It would help a lot when you would disclose where from you got those modules, which quality you found for each one, and if there are particular unique visible marks or other properties to easily tell the modules apart.
Eventually Neo900 UG will have to source hundreds of those camera modules and it will be mad useful to not have to evaluate the sources you already found are crap.

Thanks a lot for your awesome help!
jOERG

Re: N900 main cam module - N97 a replacement?
 

@nokiabot
Then, it seems hard to find good spare parts for the N900.
Any detailed reference and seller's link is welcome!

Have you some picture to compare results?
Have you used some particular tool to remove the camera from the smia socket?

Re: N900 main cam module - N97 a replacement?
 

Actuall i was repairing a n97 camera problem so i got 3 insted of 1 or 2 modules to just test :p dont worry if it helps i will write down every thing incribed and i get parts from wholesale shops not internet
i got my exams coming and my pea sized brain cant handle that much :Dso no photos actualy no fine cam atm or meaningful testings but i will document them next month or earlier :)

Re: N900 main cam module - N97 a replacement?
 

I missed to point to http://neo900.org/stuff/joerg/N97-cam/ and to mention that we definitely go for this solution now.
Does anybody have the exact numbering scheme of the connector (where's pin1 and were pin2)? Would save us 30 minutes of testing for the different possible numbering schemes.

cheers
jOERG