Nikon N90s - Detaching and Re-attaching Film Pressure Plate

When the new door arrived from Nikon, it didn't contain the film pressure plate. (See the blog entitled: Nikon N90s Film Door Problem – Rubberized Coating ... ) Nor did the package contain directions. I've documented these direction below (with pictures) of how to detach and re-attach the film pressure plate.

Disclaimer: Do not attempt to complete these directions if you are uncomfortable with carrying them out or the source (namely this blog). Also, I take no responsibility for the accuracy of anything printed on this blog. It's simply an attempt to share what worked for me and I cannot be held accountable for any errors in these directions. Nor, will I take responsibility for mistakes made on your part. So, proceed only if you understand that you are taking FULL RESPONSIBILITY for your own actions if you decide to attempt to complete this procedure from a non-technical and non-NIKON approved source. Thank you for understanding.

Follow these steps at your own risk:

Step 1: After opening the film door, press down on the "hinge pin" (1), slightly tilt "the door" out (2), and up (3) to take the door off.

Figure 1

Note: Before proceeding, peek under the pressure plate to ensure that the prongs reflect the exact representation in Figures 2 and 3 below - who knows, perhaps some cameras were installed differently - I never assume anything (you know, Murphy's law and all). The key is that the prong with the 90 degree turn is represented by the "B" in Figure 2 below - it is the key to understanding how the assembly works. None of these movements requires any struggle - if it does, you are not doing it correctly! So proceed with care. And, be very careful not to scratch the film plate.

Step 2: (Involves three distinct moves on the film pressure plate... so study these movements carefully before proceeding. No tools are required.) Looking at Figure 2, lift side 1 straight up - the two spring prongs will come off their respective posts and should slip over the heads of the posts - you can use your forefinger and second finger to help slide the prongs off their respective posts. Then - holding the edges with your thumb and forefinger - rotate the entire film pressure plate clockwise 90 degrees. This will cause spring prong A to dislodge. Finally, slide the entire film pressure plate to the right and prong B will dislodge freeing the entire film pressure plate assembly. It's actually pretty cool the way this is designed. I've also included a picture of the this assembly turned "upside down" (Figure 3) so that you can understand why these movements free up the assembly - study it carefully.

Figure 2


Figure 3

Step 3: With the new film door positioned in the same way as the film door that you took the film pressure plate off, reverse the steps above. The last step in disassembly now becomes the first step in assembly and so on. For the last step, you'll need to push the two spring prongs down so that they slide under the post heads - you can use your forefinger and second finger to assist with this. I found the assembly easier to do, perhaps because I knew what I was doing after removing it.