Canon 1D problem diagnosis

I have a Canon 1D classic with a problem and there are a few things I've noticed about it...

If I half press the shutter button, not all the numbers are visible. For instance, looking through the viewfinder the iso read out is "iso 4" instead of 'iso 400' (2 zeros missing) and on the top lcd for shutter speed for example, it will read "160" instead of '16000'.

Next when I press the shutter the mirror raises and stays up, the top lcd reads ERR 99. I can look and see the shutter covering the sensor. I keep pushing the shutter button a few times and a few seconds later the mirror will go back down and the ERR 99 goes away.

Now with both the top lcd and the viewfinder showing the same glitch, it makes me think the Main PCB Assembly is faulty. Since the Main PCB controls the shutter drive motor, maybe that is why the shutter won't operate?

Does anyone have any insight or prior repair experiences that would shed some light on this?
Thanks.

iroctd wrote in post #18255872
I have a Canon 1D classic with a problem and there are a few things I've noticed about it...

If I half press the shutter button, not all the numbers are visible. For instance, looking through the viewfinder the iso read out is "iso 4" instead of 'iso 400' (2 zeros missing) and on the top lcd for shutter speed for example, it will read "160" instead of '16000'.

That camera has a shutter speed of 16000?

That would fall into the category of a really short exposure.

Yup, and a flash sync of 1/500th. Something to do with the CCD sensor acting as an electronic shutter. Can't help with the problem though, sorry

saea501 wrote in post #18256165
That camera has a shutter speed of 16000?

....

Oh yes it does...


The problem sounds bad, . and unlikely to be fixed affordably. My guess would be the only source for parts would be another 1D.

iroctd wrote in post #18255872
I have a Canon 1D classic with a problem and there are a few things I've noticed about it...

If I half press the shutter button, not all the numbers are visible. For instance, looking through the viewfinder the iso read out is "iso 4" instead of 'iso 400' (2 zeros missing) and on the top lcd for shutter speed for example, it will read "160" instead of '16000'.

Next when I press the shutter the mirror raises and stays up, the top lcd reads ERR 99. I can look and see the shutter covering the sensor. I keep pushing the shutter button a few times and a few seconds later the mirror will go back down and the ERR 99 goes away.

Now with both the top lcd and the viewfinder showing the same glitch, it makes me think the Main PCB Assembly is faulty. Since the Main PCB controls the shutter drive motor, maybe that is why the shutter won't operate?

Does anyone have any insight or prior repair experiences that would shed some light on this?
Thanks.

Have you had the chance to try anything to remedy this? Since Err 99 is rather generic, process of elimination is the only way to try and track this one down. Let's start with the simple things. Sounds like it may be a power supply issue. Seems like certain components are not getting the exact voltage they require. Hopefully it's not on the main board, (voltage regulator) but possibly with the batteries. Check to make sure your batteries are functioning properly. Also make sure the internal battery is not dead either. Take it out and replace if necessary. It's not much, but it's a start.

in fact error 99 simply means an error that the camera can not diagnose.
The camera is saying literally, "there is an error, I am not working but I have no idea why"


It is not a known error like "lens miscommunication" ( error 01) or memory card problem, (error 2) etc..

http://cpn.canon-europe.com …ror_codes_and_m​essages.do

saea501 wrote in post #18256165
That camera has a shutter speed of 16000?

That would fall into the category of a really short exposure.

Scottboarding wrote in post #18256468
Yup, and a flash sync of 1/500th. Something to do with the CCD sensor acting as an electronic shutter. Can't help with the problem though, sorry

Correct-amundo! The 1D does (did?) 1/16000 and 1/500 w/electronic shutter. The 1D was my gateway drug into 1-series bodies. I think I got the 1D in February. By early May I was shooting baseball with a 1DIV. Yep, had all 4 of them.

My 1DS2 lost it's brains once. It would take photos and save to the card but I had absolutely no menu or control function ie it was in manual mode with no ability to change shutter speed or aperture or even change mode. (Number of shots remaining would not change after each shot) I removed main battery and the button battery, no change. Then I removed both batteries for a longer time (can't remember exactly, probably 5 to 10 minutes) and all functions returned. That was over 2 years ago, never happened again.

Many thanks for the posts!! and yes "The 1D was my gateway drug into 1-series bodies." I still only have a 1D but they sure are fun and feature packed! This forum is where I ran across the specs and was like wow, I've got to get one.

I got brave last night and started taking the camera apart. The back plate came off fine and I was relieved to see no signs of water damage, everything looks clean. Took a peak at the sensor and it looks really clean and the shutter blades from that side look perfect. A little more finagling and I got the front cover off. I found a torn ribbon cable. The parts catalog lists it as a "wing plate unit" no idea what it does but it is right next to the mirror box and if you look at the lens mount on the left side you can see a little black switch along the mount ring. I think it has something to do with that. So that maybe why the shutter won't do anything.

Now I've got to document and systematically go deeper into the body and get access to that area to replace it.

I agree, a donor 1D body would be great for parts. I might find something else wrong as I get into it. I want to check the top lcd connection to see if it is a loose ribbon cable.

Other tid bits. I bought a new CR2025 for it, the one inside was dead. And a new DSTE battery though the release switch broke promptly and I had to replace the mounting plastic piece from a plug in adapter, thankfully that worked though a little tight.

Oh and I might add I had it powered up while open in the back and I could see the drive gears and when I pressed the shutter they spun so that is a good sign.

I'll keep you all updated..

iroctd wrote in post #18256682
A little more finagling and I got the front cover off. I found a torn ribbon cable. The parts catalog lists it as a "wing plate unit" no idea what it does but it is right next to the mirror box and if you look at the lens mount on the left side you can see a little black switch along the mount ring. I think it has something to do with that. So that maybe why the shutter won't do anything.

The switch notifies the camera that a lens is fitted (contacts closed when lens is fitted), if it is not getting the signal from that switch but detects data from the lens then that could explain the Err 99. You can safely short out the 2 switch connections then it will assume there is a lens fitted all the time. This switch was left off of later Canon DSLRs. It may be tricky to short out the broken end of the ribbon cable but could easily be done with a solder or wire bridge on the board where the cable terminates.

Wow, I am impressed!

CyberDyneSystems wrote in post #18256999
Wow, I am impressed!

Don't be impressed too early, the only way the ribbon cable could get torn was if someone had previously dismantled the camera, so who knows what other problems could be lurking in there.

Thanks and thank you Ramon, I was wondering about that switch. I thought the same thing, ribbon cables just don't tear and I wonder why someone was inside of it? To get the top of the camera off I had to remove some black tape that looked like weather proofing, I wonder how they do this at Canon because it leaves a residue and you can't reuse it. I'm just going to leave it off/out. With it on you can't remove the top because it is taped nearly all the way around. Once I took that tape off the top very easily came off.

So here is where I'm at (first picture).

And (second picture) here is the torn ribbon cable held by tweezers. I can't find the other side of it... yet. I can see the part, it is that metal plate and I can see all the screws holding it on but I can't see the backside yet and I don't want to unscrew it without seeing more to make sure something doesn't fall out. That switch mentioned previously is right in the same area.

Pretty much I'm going to desolder a few points to get better access.

This body was $38 off ebay so if becomes a brick then at least it is a good learning experience. But I would like a rugged body to be my carry with me most of the time body.

It would be cool to find someone who worked at Canon on these and could say oh that is such and such and does thus and so. I can dream haha

iroctd wrote in post #18257196
...To get the top of the camera off I had to remove some black tape that looked like weather proofing,

This is the stuff they use, and I wish i could remember where, but I have absolutely read here posts by people that could source a similar if not identical material... or maybe it was at Lensrentals.com?

EDIT:
I just realized something. The part that is damaged has wires going directly to the top lcd. That could explain the missing numbers on it. Additionally the torn ribbon cable goes to 2 devices - the lens switch and the depth of field preview switch.

Of course I still have to figure out if it is keeping the shutter from working.
Or if that is why it is damaged because someone went in to see how difficult the shutter change was and broke it then proceeded no further.