Canon F-1N shutter problem

[woodgeek]

I've got a problem with a Canon F-1N that I was recently gifted. When there is no battery installed, the shutter will fire. With a fresh battery installed, the shutter won't fire on Normal or Self-timer mode. I thought it might be a problem with the battery voltage but I checked it with a voltmeter and it measures just under 6V. Using F-1N's battery test, I get a reading between 11 and 18.
The metering seems to function just fine--checked with Normal, Hold and Light. I compared the meter readings with my older F-1.
Any guesses as what might be causing my electronic shutter not to fire? The camera looks almost brand new on the outside. Inside the light seals are brand new.

 

[sevo]

Electronic shutter dead? Does it fire on AE? Things to try are a second battery (a good fresh one should be more like 6.1V, yours might be a dud), and removing the prism (the meter display circuitry in there seems to be knocked out of order more frequently than the bodies themselves).

 

[Mackinaw]

The F-1N has a hybrid shutter. Speeds from 1/90 to 1/2000 are mechanically controlled. Speeds slower than 1/90 are electronically controlled. Maybe the battery contact at the bottom of the battery chamber is stuck. When you remove the battery, press down on the little contact in the bottom of the battery chamber. It should move up and down but, with age, can get "stuck." If it is stuck, slow speeds may not work.

Jim B.

 

[raid]

This is a good tip. Jim.

 

[woodgeek]

Thanks for the tips guys. I'll try these when I go home for lunch today.

 

[woodgeek]

One more thing I just remembered: with the battery removed, adjusting the shutter speed didn't result in the sound of the shutter audibly changing.

 

[sevo]

The F-1N has a hybrid shutter. Speeds from 1/90 to 1/2000 are mechanically controlled.

... if there is no battery detected inside the compartment. A dead battery switch accordingly can have two results - frozen down the camera always assumes a battery is installed and will not run at all with no battery installed, frozen up, the camera always assumes no battery and will run in mechanical mode from 1/90-1/2000 only even with a battery inside.

 

[woodgeek]

I went home during lunch and tried removing the eye level finder but that didn't help.

I removed the battery to test the shutter speed at different settings. I tried 4sec through 1/1000 but the audible speed of the shutter never changed. I'm not sure what this indicates but I'm sure it's not good. 🙁

 

[sevo]

I tried 4sec through 1/1000 but the audible speed of the shutter never changed. I'm not sure what this indicates but I'm sure it's not good. 🙁

That does not sound alarming, the shutter travels at the same speed at all mechanical settings, only the slit width is variable, and the audible difference between slit widths is small.

 

[kuzano]

See link for Steve - owns camera clinic Sparks Nv. Fixed the chronic EEE error on three of my Canon T90's. Excellent price and turnaround. Helpful on the phone. Many years at a Canon Authorized service center before specializing on Canon in his own operation. I sent him one of my T90 camera's w/EEE. Later sent my other two for a discounted price. Common problem with T90's not used regularly.


See link:

http://www.cameraclinicusa.com/about/

 

[Ranchu]

In order to see if the speeds are changing, fire the camera with the back open, looking at the shutter from behind with the camera facing a white wall or window.

 

[woodgeek]

That does not sound alarming, the shutter travels at the same speed at all mechanical settings, only the slit width is variable, and the audible difference between slit widths is small.

That makes sense.I guess I was surprised because the differences in audible shutter speeds from my mechanical F-1 are quite obvious.

 

[woodgeek]

See link for Steve - owns camera clinic Sparks Nv. Fixed the chronic EEE error on three of my Canon T90's. Excellent price and turnaround. Helpful on the phone. Many years at a Canon Authorized service center before specializing on Canon in his own operation. I sent him one of my T90 camera's w/EEE. Later sent my other two for a discounted price. Common problem with T90's not used regularly.


See link:

http://www.cameraclinicusa.com/about/

Oh awesome. Thanks!

 

[woodgeek]

In order to see if the speeds are changing, fire the camera with the back open, looking at the shutter from behind with the camera facing a white wall or window.

I'll try that tonight, thanks.