Canon Failure *with update*

A partial failure, anyway.. while using my camera this last week, the shutter curtains started acting up, and a few frames later, they became pretty tweaked together. I lifted the mirror to confirm this. The shutter still wants/tried to fire, and won't turn on - with an error 99. Does anyone know if this means a new shutter mechanism altogether, or just the curtains to be replaced? (if that is even possible). It has been a gem of a camera otherwise.

I'd be interested to know if anyone has had a Canon shutter replaced, and the approximate cost if they don't mind stating.

Thank you, Ned

Shutter/mirror box replacement on 20D was quoted at about $400 last year by CPS.

What camera, Ned? How many actuations?

Hi Steve - it is a 1D Mark II - I'd say there are about 30K on mine..

Yikes! That's a pretty radical failure for that body with so few actuations. Sorry to hear about that. Time to call CPS, although I don't think a person actually gets to talk to a repair tech anymore like they could a couple years ago. Now there's some sort of phone liaison or something.

I had the same error recently on my 1Ds Mark III (only about 1500 actuations). Instructions say to turn the power off and then back on. If that doesn't work remove the battery and put back in and turn the camera back on. This worked for me the first time, but a few hours later the error repeated and nothing would correct the problem. A call to Canon revealed that Error 99 is a "general error" and they needed me to ship the camera in for repair. It took about 7 days from when I overnight mailed the camera to them and when they returned the camera. Never did get a more detailed diagnosis of the problem. Repaired under warranty, so do not have a cost.

Thanks for the help, gents..

My recollection of a shutter failure sometime back was $350 but I don't think there is a representative cost one can count on. When a camera is sent to Canon they will examine it and send you a cost. At that time you can approve and they do it or you can say no and they return it. Decide ahead of time what you are willing to pay and send it off. It will only cost you shipping to get a reliable quote.

In case anyone was interested in the shutter repair - $358 with shipping..