My stepdaughter's trusty D40 got into a punch up in her hand luggage on a flight the other day. It wasn't wearing a bag and lost, suffering a broken LCD viewing screen.
Can these be repaired/replaced like a laptop screen, or is it a specialist job?
A D40 body on eBay costs about £140, so is it even worth trying a repair shop, given the labour cost?

Does anyone have any relevant experience?

Many thanks,

Jim

I replaced the screen on my Canon 40D after dropping both it and myself onto some stone steps (ouch!) and found several online guides/videos plus an ebay seller in China. You'll most likely need a tiny philips screwdriver but that's about all, much easier than a laptop screen.

I would think someone could repair it but as you suggest it may not be worth it. I am sure you could sell the broken one on ebay for something so that makes repair even less value.

Thanks, chaps. Well, I just bought a replacement on fleabay for £13, so I'll see what happens...

We look forward to seeing the pictures of work in progress...oh wait, you're repairing the camera

Like me, for £13 and an hour of your time, you just *have* to prove that it is a job that you *can* do, even if it makes no sense...

Jim, I hope there are some direct comparisons here. I've replaced loads of mobile phone screens. Usually very cheaply via eBay.

Always they've been patternfrom China and they always turn up with screw drivers. I'm thinking that there can't be much difference.

If there's a guide follow it over a large tray.

You tube may be a good place to look for a fitting guide. I've found video guides very easy to follow for the couple of mobile phone screens that I've done in the past.

Thanks szkom and, er, Dave!

Despite my dodgy reputation, I've successfully changed 3 laptop screens plus a couple of iPhone ones, so I'm hoping it won't be too big a deal...

I was not casting aspersions on your abilities Jim, just pointing out that it's hard to take pictures using the camera you are repairing...good luck! If it's like the 40D there might be an outer protective screen that's stuck onto the piece of outer casing that you'll remove, be careful when removing that and you need to be careful to really clean the screen and keep out dust. On mine a small bubble-like mark has ended up on the screen but it's ok.

Hi Dave, no, I realise that - just hoping that it *does* make sense! Time will tell...

Thanks for the tip about removing the glass/plastic screen cover - I guess it might need the hairdryer treatment, a la iphone.

I'll have a look at a few YouTube "How-To" videos before getting stuck in...

We look forward to the Jim'll fix it thread

Now then, now then, 'ow's about that then, etc.

Sent our D40 to Nikon (based locally) for replacemnet battery cover and new card slot and that cost £140

Yikes! That is more than a second hand one on ebay...!

Well? Did Jim manage to fix it then? No not that one, you Mr C!

Blimey, there's a turn-up, eh? Never would have thought the entirely un-creepy Mr Savile was dodgy... allegedly.

Back on topic, I was reminded that I have to do this at the weekend (been ludicrously busy and "forgot"), as stepdaughter is going to Budapest on a school photography trip next weekend.

Am hoping to have pics and an all new "How to..." on here next week. ("How to waste £13 and destroy a Nikon D40 body" most likely...)

Well, today was the day. And - against all odds - I have successfully changed it. I found a "how to" for a D90 and followed it as far as possible. The only hard bit was removing the screen from the metal tray that holds it, because it used strips of adhesive foam that no amount of hair-dryer application was going to remove. Judicious use of a shiny new Stanley blade solved that problem and a couple of strips of double-sided tape held the new screen in place. After that it was a case of retracing my steps. And guess what? It works!


The things that look like ants are the many and varied screws...

Here's the proof that it works. And yes, I could have faked it, but you all know my photoshop skills are worse than my techie ones...

Excellent, well done Jim

Respect.

Is it still:

1. Fitted
2. Working

Thanks for your unwavering confidence and support, Derek; step-daughter took the camera to Budapest yesterday morning on A-level photography trip. So far no complaints by text!
Cheers Klaas - I may never be a tech god, but I'm pretty chuffed with this!

Balance of probability, Jim

You have a point.

I remember very well the times where you could melt any electronics from 10 miles away. I now see you working laptops and... This!

Perhaps it's some sort of halo effect now I work just up the road from Jim?

Maybe. Or maybe my real name is Jim Samsung and I've been kidding you all along so you don't accuse me of copying Apple.

Sorry, I'm tired, just starting 5 days of holiday and coming down rapidly with severe man-flu. Oh, and I've just had a couple of glasses of medication.