Dead shutter? worst possible timing

[Tobyh]

Well,

As you can see by the image my camera decided to go faulty as one of the worst moments it could have. Half way through shooting today and every picture now has a band across it that's overexposed and "shaky" - see the example below.



So - has anyone had this before that can offer advice please? I assume I'm looking at a trip to Nikon for the camera (it's a D300)

It wasn't a total disaster but around half my images of the Bittern, only the second time seen and the first I've managed to get images, were ruined by this.

I've tried all the obvious stuff but everything points to the shutter not closing properly?

Thanks in advance.

TobyH

[Ukwildlifeo]

Dave (pressld2) had exactly the same problem with his d300. Its a replacement shutter job from Nikon if I rememeber correctly. On the upside it was a quick and easy job from what dave said. Im sure he'll be on to add his experience soon.

[Tobyh]

Thank you very much, pretty much as I feared. It wasn't a total disaster though, just processing some of the OK images and I have a smile back on my face. Keep an eye on the Gallery

TobyH

[Meta menardi]

Glad you have some stuff OK, I imagine your nerves are shot though!

[PMG]

Typical - you get something in front you really want and the camera goes 'clunk' ......... had it been a blue tit the camera would have been fine!! Hope its soon sorted and glad you have some shots before it went kaput ....

[pressld2]

Ooh, bad timing Toby.

This looks like exactly what happened with mine in November 2008, see Shutter fault on my D300. Fortunately I was photographing seals at the time so could switch fairly easily to shooting panoramics.

The cause is that one of the blades of the shutter is stuck open and in my case it required a replacement of the entire shutter mechanism. I was very fortunate that I still had a couple of months to run on the two year warranty that I got with the camera so it didn't cost me anything except a few weeks without a camera.

The repair was done by Fixation who are an authorised Nikon service and repair centre in Kennington Lane, Vauxhall. I'm lucky again in that they are only about ten miles from where I live so I could drop it off and pick it up again - no mucking about with post or couriers.

I've just dug out the paperwork from that repair and the cost would have been £111.30 for the shutter and £115 labour plus VAT making a total of £265.90. Probably a bit mnore than that today, especially with the VAT increase in a couple of days but you should still get in under £300. Not a great start to the New Year though.

Dave P.

[Tobyh]

Dave,

Thanks very much for the response. I was looking at the Fixation site, I will probably use them. Was rather hoping it wouldn't be such a costly repair but oh well...things can only get better.


TobyH

[John D]

Originally Posted by Tobyh

Dave,

Thanks very much for the response. I was looking at the Fixation site, I will probably use them. Was rather hoping it wouldn't be such a costly repair but oh well...things can only get better.


TobyH

Toby,
I had to get a new shutter fitted to my Canon 40D in April 2010.
I sent it to H Lehman Ltd 247-249 London Road, Stoke on Trent ST4 5AA.
Phone 01782 413611


Excellent service at a cost of £162 inc VAT.

[Tobyh]

John,

Many thanks for that, I'll look into it today.

[Weedy]

Remember to check your Insurance Policy and see if the repair will be covered.