HELP! What's gone wrong here?

[Suzy]

Hi folks

I've got a major problem and it's affected about 6 films.

I have a Nikon F55 and it seems to be blanking out the top of my pictures. I thought it was just one film but it's doing it on everything. Is this a camera problem or a film processing problem?

Before I go and tell my dad that there's something wrong with my camera, can anybody help "troubleshoot" for me?

Cheers

[neil_davidson2]

Hi Suzy, It looks like it could be a problem with the shutter blades. The top (or bottom) blade looks to be jammed shut - this is assuming of course that the blades are horizontal.

I had a similar problem with a Canon a few years ago and it had to go in for repair.

Neil

[Suzy]

Oh joy! Thank goodness it's still under guarantee.

Thanks.

[KC]

I would agree with Neil. If you have this problem while using flash then your flash sync is set too fast.

[chris78cpr]

Looks like a shutter problem to me! Give the Nikon sevice a call, they should be able to sort it out no problem! They have a very quick turn around time 2!

Chris

[bernard b]

I would say the same ...
I had it once on a Canon, the shutter had something like sugar on it.
it had 2 type of effects: the one shown above, and a delay on opening the shutter, resulting in under exposed frames
it wasted all my Le Mans 2001 pictures ...
I sent it to repair (cleaning), and it's been working fine after that (I don't own it anymore, but I know the one that does and she had no problem since)

[Craig]

Originally posted by Suzy
I've got a major problem and it's affected about 6 films.

You have six rolls of Maestro photos?!!!

[bernard b]

ROTF

[neil_davidson2]

Craig - you think the camera is trying to protect itself by deliberately shutting down??

[Kelvin]

And what is wrong with Maestros, come on Maisie help me defend the corner

[Maisie]

I would do, Kelvin, if I thought it was worth the effort.

[djb]

yes my dear, notice that Mr. O degrees wrote "Maestros", as in plural, as in "one who has loads of them out back" ;-)

sorry love, couldn't resist.

and just to continue the smart ass comments, Suzy, you know that billboard you were shooting under.......

err, I'll stop

but seriously folks, yup probably sticky shutter blades. If they aren't kinked or anything, maybe even a proper clean could negate a shutter replacement. I would worry that even if under warranty, if orange juice or something is found on the shutter, they may not want to cover the repair.

good luck with it, and a warm hello to you ladies.

David

[Suzy]

The camera was sent for repair 10 days ago. According to the shop, it is due back by the middle of June.

Meanwhile I would like to thank Maisie for loaning me her camera in the meantime so that I can continue to take pictures I promise to look after it.

[djb]

hope it gets back when it is supposed to.

the whole thing makes me think of the story told by the guy I work with, many years ago, he was at a family party and let a kid put his Leica around his neck. Kid picks up a glass of juice, takes a drink, misses mouth and presto, a hundred or more dollars of "unstickying" repair was in line.

good snapping

[Carrie]

DJB - yikes at that story!!!

Suzy, meant to ask you yesterday when you were getting the camera back. Hope it is back on time.

edit - would help if I could type!

[Suzy]

Pleased to say that I was reunited with my camera on Saturday morning; it has a brand new shutter now.

They also "recalibrated the exposure" - what does that mean?

[neil_davidson2]

Good news!

As far as recalibration goes I would guess it means that they've made sure that when you set a shutter speed of 1/250 for example, then the shutter actually stays open for that amount of time. Nothing longer, nothing shorter.

[djb]

exactically
hope the bill (if any) was not too much