10D Shutter Repair/Servicing?

I'm sure there are similar thread regarding the Error 99, which appears to be somewhat common on the 10D.

I've isolated the problem being with the shutter. I am having very poor AF and having cleaned all my connections with an eraser as well as having 'reset' the camera by removing the battery and the 'watch-type' battery. When I use the sensor cleaning feature, the mirror pops up, but the shutter blades over the sensor do not lift.

I can choose any shutter speeds and the camera will not operate at the desired setting. I can choose a 2s shutter, but it will be very quick (maybe 1/160 as a random guess). It also has a very strange sound to it. This happens with or without a lens on the camera.

As you're all aware, the 10D is a dinosaur by today's standard, but being my only camera I almost have no choice than fixing it or go without anything. I can't financially afford to either purchase a new camera nor have this one sent anywhere for repair.

I have found a photo guide showing the steps in replacing the shutter, but seeing as I'm not mechanically inclined towards the actual functionning of the camera, I can't say for sure that replacing the shutter would solve anything.

Fortunately, I'm not afraid to get my hands dirty and open my baby up. Are there any type of maintenance I can perform on the blades to get them working again? I hear that naptha can lubricate the blades, is this recommended? What type of damage should I look for?

Any advice, including whimsical sarcastic comments are appreciated

I guess I'll have to start saving up for that 5Dmk2 sooner than I had planned...

That's unfortunate, as far as I've heard the servicing would cost you $200 which really isn't worth it. I know you said you can't afford a new camera but used 20D's are pretty darn cheap(less than $300). A 20D would also be a pretty decent upgrade over a 10D as well. Good Luck.

Start saving.

Yeah, professional servicing is out of the question... I'm just looking to see if there are things I can try myself before even buying a replacement shutter and attempting the work myself.

I might just scrap the idea, I mean I'll be looking at a min $50 for a new shutter, which if I botch the installation I'm out money and time.

I guess another thing to consider is not opening it and selling the camera with the buyer knowing full well that the shutter is broken. If it gets me a few bucks I can put it towards something newer. Tho I doubt a broken 10D will fetch much even if it's cosmetically in great shape.

You are a brave soul to even consider diving into one of those beasts without training. My experience keeps me from doing that, as anything more complicated than a toaster ends up dead on my workbench. If you are willing to live with an older dslr, you can probably find something in the $200 (U.S.) range which is cheaper than a canon repair on your old friend.

You don't know for sure that it is the shutter. It could be something in the controls that is causing the problem. You are most likely right that buying parts and trying it yourself would be an exercise in futility and a waste of money. Better to put whatever money you would have spent on parts towards saving for a used replacement body.

Hehe, brave? I don't know... I mean the camera isn't worth any more on my mantle than on my workbench

crn3371: thanks for the info. I think I might just sell the 10D for whatever someone is willing to pay and sell my Sigma 10-20 and look at getting a 5D...