Repair the broken FFA

No matter which type of SX‑70 camera it is—except for the SLR680 and 690—after so many years, the FFA module in many units is already defective by the time we acquire them. This failure prevents the flash from firing.

After converting the camera to the R‑PCB, the method described here allows you to bypass the FFA circuit and restore proper operation of the flash socket.

Advance warning：

It’s some ways to bypass the FFA,We only test these repair tips on the cameras which has installed SX-70R PCB, Some user reported that on the MODEL2 and ALPHA, these tips might also work. It’s your own risk, please make sure you have enough skills.

This repair will prevent the camera from using vintage disposable flash bulbs. This modification may not light up all flashes, but we have tested it with MINT FLASH BAR and Polastrobe.

For Sonar:

The step of disassembling the camera is skipped here; the following steps are based on the already disassembled AF unit.

If you need to remove the circuit board, unsolder all the solder joints indicated in the picture, including AF motor and other joints. However, it is recommended to temporarily remove the white wires and the Transducer as well.

When you have unsolder these pins, then flip the board, also unsolder the pads shown (Please remember their original points):

FFA chip will be found on the back.

Remove the chip and then resolder a wire and short two pads as shown in the picture.

Then as previously mentioned, re-solder and reassemble the flex cable as before, and resolder all the previously desoldered solder joints.

For MODEL I and II and ALPHA:

Before you start to work on this, buy some 30# wires for this repairing, DO NOT buy wires thicker than this type. Because the gap between FFA and lens is narrow, thicker wires will stuck the lens.

First of all you have to drill these rivets and remove them to take off the FFA:

After that, remove the flex cable attached to the FFA, Be careful and remove all soldering pads:

Then rebuild the circuit like this, remove insulation and use the wires to solder these points.

MAKE SURE THE WIRES ARE ATTACHED TIGHT TO THE SURFACE OF PLASTIC, DOT STUCK THE LENS.

Reinstall the FFA, use M2 screw to fixe the FFA again, this will not be explained in detail here.