Blank frames - elec./mec. problem?

[modpol]

I've got the "blank frame" issue - near 50% blank frames. New battery and memory card, didn´t help.
Now i wonder if it is a mechanical or electronic problem.
Even if we hate to admit it, there is some kind of processer inside our wonder cam. Is there any way to reset that?

//Bent

 

[krötenblender]

I really hope, it's a mechanical problem, because I think, that would be much easier to repair...

You should try a test: Do some test-shots without a lens and watch the shutter carefully through the open bajonett. If the shutter is okay, you should be able to see it working. If you have blank frames after a few shots, you can tell, if it is mechanic or electronic, that fails.

 

[modpol]

Hmm - your right - iI just test i with no lens an set the shutter to 1 sec. and it look like that the shutter some how is "too fast" and that cause the blank frames.
Now my problem is who can fix it, last time I have problems Steve's camera fixed it, but it is so far from Copenhagen - do you think it is a job for a good camera technician?

//Bent

 

[krötenblender]

I really don't know, I never had such a problem. But I think, I would try to find a camera technician, who can repair Bessa R cameras and similar others. The shutter is very similar to others.

If you find a solution and get it repaired, please update the thread. I'm interested.

Maybe the sticky thread " Epson R-D1 Information Resource / FAQ website" has also some useful links for repair?

 

[back alley]

contact dirk at japan exposures and he can arrange a full cla with epson, japan.
well worth the $$.

Dirk Rösler | Japan Exposures <dirk@japanexposures.com>


joe

 

[isorgb]

I heard some time ago that a smaller power batteries (instead of 1500mAh) can cause shutter errors.

 

[Mr_Flibble]

Low capacity batteries, or ones that don't handle burst-loads very well can cause blank frames and/or cause the camera going into sleep mode after taking a picture.
But Modpol said he is using a new one, and the 1/sec exposure test seems to indicate there is something wrong with the shutter.

 

[aldobonnard]

I recently bought a 2nd R-D1 (in a shop in London) which showed this problem on 10% of the frames, roughly. A quick search (rich cutler site) and I decided to return it.
Before that, I tried all sorts of batteries (Epson original) in good condition, I concluded that this was a mechanical problem on the shutter. On curtain does not move. This is pretty much straightforward, the noise is undeniably different when 1 curtain is stuck. Try to listen to yours. I think that the issue would not cure by itself.
The solution seems to part-replace the shutter, I would believe, meaning sending it to Sony/Epson Japan. As for me, despite the camera had a warranty on it, it was not worth the hassle, the shop manager was not convinced it needed a repair and I got my money back.
In your case, I would send it for repair, I recall other RFF members quoted a not so expensive and satisfactory service.
hope that helps.

 

[modpol]

Surfing around the web, I found that the it is a common Bessar problem.
and the workaround is to just tickling the shutter very gently.
That way I dont have the problem - for now...

 

[Frankie]

I had the same problem in a new-to-me R-D1.

The cause was an undrained buffer. My fix was to leave the camera on for the longest time possible [set longest shut-off time for sleep mode mode] and the camera righted itself.

This had happened once while in the field, same solution.