Could use some input: I have a Canon Rebel XSi with the kit lenses that I purchased used. Alas, a few days ago, the camera developed an error 99 and won't do anything. It had taken a...

Vick I Loc: Texas

I have a Canon Rebel XSi with the kit lenses that I purchased used. Alas, a few days ago, the camera developed an error 99 and won't do anything. It had taken a couple of pictures with increasingly large black areas in the photo just prior to breathing its last. I'm pretty certain it is the shutter curtain, based on its behavior and the fact that none of the other "reset" options work.

Obviously, in its present condition, it's not worth anything. I figure it will be over $200 to fix it, and that is more than I paid for the camera and lenses. I have already bought a camera to replace the ailing Canon, but I sure would like to get something out of it. I know I can sell off the lenses, but my husband and I were wondering just how difficult it would be to replace the shutter curtain ourselves. My husband is VERY mechanical, and it seems like we have nothing to lose in trying since it's pretty worthless as is . . . this is where I need the input. Any suggestions on what to do with the dead body?

Thanks for your comments.

G Brown Loc: Sunny Bognor Regis West Sussex UK

Try looking on ebay for another 'dead' one with a different ailment and strip it down and see whether you can salvage the shutter bits that are faulty. You have little to lose and the experience may give you confidence to tackle future problems.
good luck

Collie lover Loc: St. Louis, MO

Vick I wrote:

I have a Canon Rebel XSi with the kit lenses that ... (show quote)

Where did you purchase this used camera? From an individual or from a camera store?

If you purchased it from a local store, you should have gotten some type of guarantee.

I don't buy things like cameras, equipment, etc. online. I know I pay more to shop locally, but I like to support local businesses and know if there's a problem it will be taken care of.

Unfortunately, you get what you pay for.

Armadillo Loc: Ventura, CA

Vick I wrote:

I have a Canon Rebel XSi with the kit lenses that ... (show quote)

Vick,

Before you take any drastic moves, try some of the following.

Power up the camera and turn on Live View, if this works okay format the memory card.

If this works okay, try capturing another image, if the capture still fails, move the memory card into your computer card slot and verify all is working well there. If this works, copy a known good .jpg image file onto the memory card.

Power up the camera with the memory card installed. Use the image preview button to see the image on the memory card.

If the image shows up intact you have a problem with the camera, possibly the shutter opening properly.

How to replace the shutter? I have no idea.

It probably takes a set of very specialized tools and a microscope to see the tiny screws.

Michael G

mper812 Loc: Atlanta GA area

This is from the web. "The one I bought for spares was doing the err 99 thing.I could hear that the shutter was not opening so took the lens off and took a look inside to discover that the soft shutter material was kinked in one corner.I then carefully using a cotton bud (Q-TIP) gave it a bit of a nudge in the corner and to my pleasure it slotted back in camera fixed.. Hope that has helped somebody."

Vick I wrote:

I have a Canon Rebel XSi with the kit lenses that ... (show quote)

Vick I Loc: Texas

Collie lover wrote:

Where did you purchase this used camera? From an individual or from a camera store?

If you purchased it from a local store, you should have gotten some type of guarantee.

I don't buy things like cameras, equipment, etc. online. I know I pay more to shop locally, but I like to support local businesses and know if there's a problem it will be taken care of.

Unfortunately, you get what you pay for.

I bought it from a good friend. He had it checked out by Calumet a few months ago before they closed their store in our area. I know if I told him about it, he would want to give me some of my money back. I don't want him to do that, because it's not his fault.

Vick I Loc: Texas

Armadillo wrote:

Vick, br br Before you take any drastic moves, tr... (show quote)

Thanks for the input. Live view does not work. It is functionally dead.

Vick I Loc: Texas

mper812 wrote:

This is from the web. "The one I bought for spares was doing the err 99 thing.I could hear that the shutter was not opening so took the lens off and took a look inside to discover that the soft shutter material was kinked in one corner.I then carefully using a cotton bud (Q-TIP) gave it a bit of a nudge in the corner and to my pleasure it slotted back in camera fixed.. Hope that has helped somebody."

Thanks for the input. I hadn't seen that particular solution. I opened and looked -- can't tell anything for sure, but my lighting is not the best. The funny thing is that when I take the lens off and on, even though the camera is powered OFF, I can still hear it trying to do something. Sort of a short whoosh sound.

n3eg Loc: West coast USA

Vick I wrote:

Any suggestions on what to do with the dead body?

Bury it in the woods. And tell nobody in your camera club. This will just be our secret, between you and your friends here at UHH.

Armadillo Loc: Ventura, CA

Vick I wrote:

Thanks for the input. Live view does not work. It is functionally dead.

Vick,

It appears you have a small boat anchor on your hands.

It will make a wonderful learning project for your husband, you could present him with a new tool kit with various types of metric miniature tools.

Michael G

elf

Vick, I have had good luck with cleaning the contacts on the body and lens. Ethanol or IPA. Electric contact cleaner, but be careful not to spray inside the camera body.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

n3eg wrote:

Bury it in the woods. And tell nobody in your camera club. This will just be our secret, between you and your friends here at UHH.

NO, NO, NO, NOT IN THE WOODS!!!!!
If the Blair Witch was to find it, who knows what would happen!!
FLUSH it down the toilet! The guys at the sewer treatment plant are used to finding stuff like that and will know exactly what to do with it. They might even be able to fix it and shoot office parties with it!!! :lol: :lol:
SS

JD750 Loc: SoCal

elf wrote:

Vick, I have had good luck with cleaning the contacts on the body and lens. Ethanol or IPA. Electric contact cleaner, but be careful not to spray inside the camera body.

:thumbup:

Yes before burying it, you should definitely clean the contacts and see if that changes the symptoms, or fixes the problem.

chasgroh Loc: Buena Park, CA

...use the time you gain from *not* trying to fix it (only to break again) to go out shooting...or gaining insight into some software...or lights...or...or... ;0)

RogueStorm Loc: East Sussex, England

Find the deepest darkest quarry pit, with a lake, and chuck it in. Have some black candles handy. If it sinks, there is no problem with the camera. If it floats, it is a witch and I believe, there are some States in the good old US of A where it can be legally burned.