When you try to take a picture the lens shutter freezes in the closed position and you must push the button again for the shutter to open. The battery is new. I know something is wrong internally but what it is I don't know. If anyone could enlighten me, it would be much appreciated.

-- Chris McSparron (mccspoon@yahoo.com), February 05, 2002

Answers

This is typical system lock symptoms that happen when something is wrong electronically. The usual suspects are, incompatible third party lens, bad lens, dirty lens to body contacts, dirty battery contacts, short battery (not all CR5's are exactly the same length), or some other internal failure.

Take the lens off & try it. Clean the battery contacts and pt a folded piece of paper between the battery and the battery door to press the battery farther in to the contacts. Try another new battery of a different brand.

It also could be a mechanical failure that effects the electronics. Perhaps a sticky shutter assembly. Is there any black slick looking stuff on the back of the shutter blades?

-- Jim Strutz (j.strutz@gci.net), February 05, 2002.

This is most likely caused by the deterioration of a small foam rubber "bumper" in the shutter assembly which cushions the shutter blades when they open. The deterioration allows a sticky residue to to find its way onto the shutter causing it to stick open. I had this problem on my EOS 650 aand EOS 1000 . A quick visit to a reputable repairer who can replace the bumper and clean the shutter should solve the problem.

-- Bill Watson (printengineer@aol.com), March 11, 2002.