Did my shutter just die on my D300?

<p>"Err" flashes.</p>

<p>I was shooting (remote control) the finish line on a 10K race and about 400 shots in, once i reviewed the photos... I get one that has a lighter exposure band near the top half of the image.. Then, the next 10 images have what looks like a black diagonal line (out of focus) covering about half of the image.... then the next 600 photos are completely black.</p>

<p>I took the lens off and looked inside... cleaned the electrical pins inside the camera, then watched the mechanism. The mirror up works, but there is a small black object at the bottom of the sensor inside the camera.</p>

<p>I got my other (good) D300 and looked inside too, and it looks different without the black object at the bottom.</p>

<p>The camera that has "Err" has 70,00 actuations.<br /> <br /> So....is this the kiss of death and therefore a shutter failure??</p>

<p><img src="http://s13.postimg.org/xl1s9rzx3/ONE_6909.jpg" alt="" /><img src="http://postimg.org/image/lvxslt8yb/" alt="" /><br>

http://s13.postimg.org/xl1s9rzx3/ONE_6909.jpg</p>

<p><img src="http://postimg.org/image/lvxslt8yb/df962340/" alt="" /></p>

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<p>there is a small black object at the bottom of the sensor inside the camera</p>

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<p>That should translate to something blocking the top of the frame in the image.</p>

<p>I only see one image above - there's nothing in the 12:58 and 12:59 posts. </p>

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<p>then the next 600 photos are completely black</p>

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<p>To me that indicates that the shutter doesn't operate - and the black object you see could be a part of it. When the mirror is up - do you see something shiny (usually greenish) - that would be the sensor. Or something gray and dull with blades - that's the shutter. Not sure it's wise to trip the shutter anymore though - either it is already inoperable or if it indeed moves with pieces missing from it, the damage could increase. However, you could set the camera to MUP to get the mirror out of the way and inspect the blades of the shutter - anything missing?</p>

<p>Be very very careful to never touch the shutter blades with anything while you're in there. I sometimes inspect shutters by using bulb mode, with a lens off. I flex the shutter several times, slowly. If the shutter isn't moving, that's an answer.</p>

<p>Kent in SD</p>

<p>It is not the kiss of death if it is the shutter. It just means it is time to replace the shutter. I shoot with people who don't consider their cameras as broken in until they have the first shutter replacement..But then shooting 10K shots in a day is not extreme for them.</p>

<p>Check around with online repair places and get a quote</p>

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<p>Check around with online repair places and get a quote<br>

</p>

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<p>Definately do check out repair costs. 70.000 is not that high on the rest of the moving body parts.<br>

<br>

However, lightly used D300 and, maybe more importantly, D300S prices, are getting pretty affordable. Maybe the D7100/D7200 series have finally persuaded people there's going to be no D400 and they're moving on?<br>

<br>

For you to 'upgrade' > D7*** would mean another, different set of cards and batteries. That may be a logistical annoyance as well as financially painful.</p>

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<p>Maybe the D7100/D7200 series have finally persuaded people there's going to be no D400 and they're moving on?</p>

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<p>or, maybe the 7DII has convinced Nikon it does in fact need a hi-end APS-C body.<br>

<br>

the great thing about speculation is, there's no end to it.</p>

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<p>or, maybe the 7DII has convinced Nikon it does in fact need a hi-end APS-C body</p>

 

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<p>....maybe.......:-)</p>

<p>I put my D300 back into service as a 2nd/backup camera recently. I had forgotten how nice the D300 feels in use. Wish it had a more up to date sensor and the improved AF module. Hint-hint, Nikon? </p>

<p>Update: The shutter was dead.</p>

<p>I sold it for parts on eBay..... and then bought a brand new D7100. :)</p>