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Photography Question 

SHARON MCAULAY 		 

White streaks on images


 
  Problem images 1
Problem images 1

SHARON MCAULAY

  
  Problem images 2
Problem images 2

SHARON MCAULAY

  
 
At the beginning of a fashion shoot yesterday, I realized that after having taken the first 25 shots without a problem, a white streak started to appear on the left-hand side of the images. This happened on 2 images, then there was a black streak on the next two, and then white streaks again, which got bigger and bigger until they were covering almost half of the image. Luckily I had my back-up D2X with me, so checked that there was nothing wrong with the lens or the memory card and continued the shoot. Before sending the camera off to Nikon for repair, I would like to know if anyone has any idea of what I might be in for... Many thanks in advance!


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October 18, 2011

 
- Gregory LaGrange

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Gregory LaGrange's Gallery 		  The black streaks I would say is the shutter sticking before it opens all the way. I had a problem with a camera of mine where a rubber shock absorber for the shutter blades was getting old, started to decay and left a sticky residue on the shutter blades. That made them stick together and not open fully, causing part of the picture to not get exposed.
The white streaks I'm guessing is the same but opposite. Either the shutter or the curtain that's inside is sticking when it's supposed to close all the way, causing an over exposure to the point of completely white on one side.


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October 18, 2011

 

SHARON MCAULAY 		  Thanks so much for your response Gregory, even though I was afraid it might be something like that. Guess I'm in for a shutter replacement - ouch! Thanks again though - I really appreciate your taking the time to answer! S.


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October 20, 2011

 

Lynn R. Powers 		  I have to agree with Gregoryn on this one. I had a Leicaflex SL in 1974 that came up with the same problem as you have with the black unexposed frames. I took it to a camera repair place and they said it would take a week to fix. It took three weeks because they couldn't find whaat was causing it. This only happened when I was shooting at 1.2000".

It turned out that the first shutter curtain was sticking and the second curtain was catching up with it. They checked and alll of the other speeds were well within parameters. It only happened at 1/2000". And that was why it was so difficult to diagnose. It cost me $75 to fix in 1974. If I had sent it to Leica the cost would have been around $250. Once fixed the camera worked without a problem until it drowned in 1982. Don't ask. But it wasn't my fault.

As for the white streaks I feel that Gregory is correct with his diagnosis.
If the camera is out of warranty plan on spending about $250 for the repair.


Lynn


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October 20, 2011

 

SHARON MCAULAY 		  Hi Lynn - many thanks for response, and yes, sounds like the problem is going to be with the shutter mechanism. I hadn't thought to check out if it was only happening at the one shutter speed - will take a look at that today. And it looks like I'm in for another unwelcome repair and maintenance expense, although I suppose it's a good time of the year for it to happen, with the 'high' season over! Thanks again for you input, and my condolences on the drowning of your Leica (ouch!)
Best, Sharon


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October 21, 2011

 
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