Canon 1ds shutter failure?

[BlimeyCharlie]

Hi,
Seem to have a problem yesterday with my 1ds and a quick look on internet seems to suggest shutter failure is/has happened.

Camera works fine, but have a white 'light' streak across the image. Not on every image, but on most.
Shutter speed and aperture seem to make it better/worse, but random.

Anything I can do? Any parts I can oil or fiddle with, or is a new camera job?
Camera is a mk1 1ds and has seen plenty of service.

If anyone can suggest anything them great.

Shutter count is 95,000 as of yesterday.

Edited by BlimeyCharlie on Monday 6th May 13:21

Edited by BlimeyCharlie on Tuesday 7th May 15:29

[nellyleelephant]

You need to try and attract the attention of MarkMullen on here.

I had his old 1DS off him a while back, he had the shutter replaced before I had it. Don't quote me but I seem to remember it was about £250.

[BlimeyCharlie]

nellyleelephant said:

You need to try and attract the attention of MarkMullen on here.

I had his old 1DS off him a while back, he had the shutter replaced before I had it. Don't quote me but I seem to remember it was about £250.

Thanks for that.
Will have a go at that.

Any other info anyone has would be appreciated.

[markmullen]

Yep, £220 +VAT from Canon Elstree, give them a bell, 0800 915 0009.

With mine I bought it needing a shutter, there was one of the curtains hanging across the sensor, so it was a large black band across the shots.

Could you throw a pic with the issue up so I can have a look?

[BlimeyCharlie]

markmullen said:

Yep, £220 +VAT from Canon Elstree, give them a bell, 0800 915 0009.

With mine I bought it needing a shutter, there was one of the curtains hanging across the sensor, so it was a large black band across the shots.

Could you throw a pic with the issue up so I can have a look?

Thanks for the info.

Here is the first one, and a 'bad' example.

Some photos are fine, but aperture and/or shutter speed don't seem to make much difference, and I have not used the camera since until I've found a bit more out.

[BlimeyCharlie]

Looking at the photo I've just posted and there is some distortion in the white 'banding' I've noticed, particularly in the crash barrier.

Also, above the car, the distortion is the opposite way-like a slightly wider-angle version of the original image?

Does that make sense?

Not sure how the shutter works on this camera but all affected images have the same shape banding, and always white/over exposed, never darker.

If it was the mirror, this is a one-piece item (I presume) so would expect it on every image if damaged.
Same with duff sensor.

Googling the problem and 'shutter failure' shows the exact same banding with other people.

[mike80]

Looks like the shutter to me - seen enough of them do it!

[BlimeyCharlie]

I've rang up Canon in Elstree and a new shutter (if it is indeed that) is going to be circa £220-220 plus VAT, including labour and parts.

Got to send the camera down to them, and should know within 48 hours what the actual problem is once they've got it.

Might take it down myself, instead of posting it. Then again might not!

Does anyone know why/what actually goes wrong with the shutter to do this? Is it a screw? What actually fails?

[Magic919]

Can you pop the mirror up and take a look?

[BlimeyCharlie]

Magic919 said:

Can you pop the mirror up and take a look?

I did a 'sensor clean' function at the time to check, but that probably just shows me the sensor I guess and nothing else.

Can I get the mirror to lift up easily?

Thanks and I'll have a look shortly anyway.

[Magic919]

I'm sure the camera will have a mirror lock up, but you can generally just gently lift the mirror on most cameras.

[BlimeyCharlie]

Thanks for mirror info.

I've lifted it up and there are 5 shutter planes. All seem fine.
What I'm keen to know is if I can add some kind of lubricant anywhere?

I've had the camera 5 years with no servicing being done. Is there an area that is lubricated during a service? Or is this just money for nothing, as with a lot of cars?

I've got nothing marked or chewed up. However one plane is a slightly different colour to the others, with a greenish tint to it, this being the middle plane of 5.

I might post a pic up in a bit if that would help?

[nellyleelephant]

I'm pretty sure you don't want to be adding lubricant anywhere near the sensor, you may end up with a bigger repair bill.

Shutters go, I've never heard of someone repairing one before.

Personally, I would just get it into Canon for repair.

[Magic919]

Maybe it's the second curtain, or perhaps you'd only see it when it fires. Quite possibly you won't see it at all.

The shutter blinds would usually run dry. Trying to lube those won't improve anything. I'm sure you can imagine what the cost would be once it starts flicking oil around inside the camera.

Get a comparison quote from Fixation and then get it mended.

[BlimeyCharlie]

Well I've had another look and took some more photos at different settings.

Appears to be the second curtain playing up, though can't actually see anything wrong with it.

Nothing 'sticking' that I can see. Of course the shutter opens and closes very quickly so difficult.

Pretty much exhausted what I can do (nothing really) so will send to Canon tomorrow and see from there.

I know you will be horrified, but I did lubricate the shutter and have taken about 20 shots. Just the same as before in terms of banding.
Just a very light application to the surface, not an oil can job.

What I can see now is that the second plane has some slight scuff marks on it, whereas the others do not, indicating something sticking, obviously. Must be on the closing stage, as shutter letting too much light in, hence banding.
I'm thinking of wasting yet more money on photo kit so thought I'd see anyway. Sensor is fine etc.

Call me a fool, I don't mind!

[nellyleelephant]

Might be best to try and keep the body 'face down' to stop the lubricant going sensor direction! Also, wouldn't use it until Canon see it just in case it gets flung elsewhere (you might want to warn them about the GTX)

[BlimeyCharlie]

Yes I'll warn them-they can add another £300.00 to the repair that way!

I used a tiny amount of machine oil, same as on my shaver (no, I really did).
Might just buy another body instead, as was thinking of an 'upgrade' (just chucking more money at expensive kit that will bust miles too early again) like a 1ds mk3 perhaps.

Or just make my own camera from clothes pegs, string and washing machine parts. I don't think 99% of the population would know a good photo from a poor one-just look on Facebook etc for proof.

I'm obviously feeling a bit jaded with 'photography' at the moment. Looked at a few bodies (camera ones) earlier, which turned out to be conmen/conwomen wanting me to send them money etc etc.

They must think I'm stupid. Now where did I put that drum of oil?

Seriously, looking at the shutter, it (the 5 planes) appears to pivot through 90 degrees from one bolt/screw etc.
Like I said earlier, what is the cause of failure? If they are dry parts, then that implies to me that no lubrication is required (as stated earlier) so how can they wear out?

[nellyleelephant]

The only reason I suggest warning them is so they don't ruin other parts of the camera with contamination.

[BlimeyCharlie]

nellyleelephant said:

The only reason I suggest warning them is so they don't ruin other parts of the camera with contamination.

Yes you are quite right in what you've said.
Many thanks for that.

[TooLateForAName]

Shouldn't oil things like that.

The oil will gum it up over time. Same with the aperture blades, you need these things to move quickly and smoothly - the oil will cause drag and stuff it.