Last night I joined The Nocturnes for night photography at Mare Island Naval Shipyard. Things began in the usual uneventful way – perhaps 40 photographers assembled as Tim Baskerville went over the “rules” of the game, I shot a few photos of the group, and then I headed off to start photographing the interesting shipyard structures under the light of a nearly full moon.
I began by working on improving a shot that I had attempted on another visit, a scene of a brick building with an attached green building in front of a metal roof structure with the power plant smokestack in the background, this time with some very interesting shadows cast by the overhead shipyard structures. Finishing this shot, I set up another of an overhead truss structure illuminated by moonlight with star trails behind. So far so good – and I felt like I was getting in the groove for a productive evening.
I composed a third shot, again with that shadowed wall of the brick building but this time with the base of a giant steel tower in front of it. I pressed the shutter release… and something didn’t sound right. Tried again, and still no go. I took the camera off the tripod and saw the dreaded Canon “err 99” message in the display. No panic, though; I’ve seen this before and know enough to remove the battery, card, and lens and give it another try. Ah, still no go. After removing the lens and jumping through a few other hoops I figured out that the mirror was in the “up” position, more or less waiting for the shutter to open… which it didn’t do.
So, perhaps 15 minutes into this night photography session I had an inoperable camera. I packed up and headed home, where I did a bit of Internet searching and found other descriptions of exactly this issue. It looks like I need to have Canon replace the shutter mechanism.
(I’m going to bring up one odd factor with Canon. It seems that a good percentage of the people who encountered this problem did so after exactly the same sequence of events that I followed in shooting long exposures with mirror lockup engaged. A number had even been using the 24-105 beforehand, as I had been. Hmmm… Later: I’ve been contacted by another photographer who had precisely the same situation and had some dialog with Canon about the situation…)
So, at the moment I’m without a camera. I’m giving some thought to picking up a 5D II a bit ahead of my planned schedule and either keeping the repaired 5D as a backup or selling it. (It would be a good deal for someone, especially with a brand new shutter.) Of course, as luck would have it, it appears that all of the body-only versions of the 5D II that were available last week are now out of stock…
Seems like a good day to take a hike. Without a camera. :-)
Wild flowers! Definitely! And I am hoping for a good crop of them! Anyway, let me know your ideas about hike route, spots for photography, etc, that you would be especially interested in and if I see a 5D2 for sell, I will let you know! I think you will find it first though. Good luck!
Cynthia, I was also thinking that timing a visit for wildflowers might be a good idea. (I’ll likely be in Death Valley right around the beginning of April though.)
Now I just need to figure out if anyone actually has a 5D2 body for sale and a not rip-off price. Adorama and B&H and some other have been selling them for $2699. If anyone sees one – email me!
Dan
PS – my initial idea is to do a relatively “easy” Coe hike, maybe about 6 miles with the our photography gear. I did one where I started out hiking down Mazanita Point Road to about the junction with the Springs Trail. Then I turned around and went back and then up Hobbs Road and up to the Ponderosa Loop for sunset. That particular day was cloudy and there was some gorgeous drama in the sky with the clouds. I botched my pictures though so I didn’t come away with much. But depending on if wild flowers are in bloom or the weather and clouds, or even fog, I think there are some great possibilities there. Anyway, I would like the hike to include the magic hour at sunset and to be some place in the park to take advantage of that. And head lamps may be required for the hike back.
A broken shutter is either a real bummer or an excuse to buy a new camera. Hmmmm…
While I shoot mostly video, for anything serious, I carry two cameras minimum, with the 2nd as the backup. The XH A1 as primary and the HV30 as backup (or “B-roll” in video speak). And there are the sound issues to deal with …
Ed
Hi Dan, I will be watching to see if you get that 5D2 and to see what you think of it when you do. And I will keep you informed about what happens with the Coe Park idea. Right now I am not sure how to go about it but I will discuss it more it the park ranger and the PRA. AND I think your idea of the photo exhibit is a great one! Stay tuned!
Cynthia, thanks for your note of sympathy! :-) I’m also considering the backup camera approach, since I often go to great lengths to get to a location to shoot – and it would be a major drag to end up somewhere like, say, Racetrack Playa with a malfunctioning camera. At the moment I’m sort of leaning towards watching for a 5D2 this week…
I’m definitely interested in the Coe Park idea. I’ve camped, hiked, and mountain biked in that park – though it has been some time since my last visit. Who knows, if we come up with something interesting it might be fun to think about an exhibit of photos from the park.
Dan
Hi Dan, I am sorry to hear about your broken camera. Oh man! I guess it is a good reason to have multiple cameras though. If I ever manage to buy a 5D2, I will keep my 40D just for that reason. Not to mention my two film cameras.
On another note, I have proposed an idea to the Pine Ridge Association and the Henry Coe park ranger about having a small group photography hike at Henry Coe. They thought it sounded like a good idea and were hoping I would organize it. I could see getting maybe a dozen people or so together to hike into Coe with their cameras and tripods and gear to take pictures of the park. I don’t know if you ever hike Henry Coe but would you be interested in joining such a hike? I would love to see people in it who would share their knowledge with each other.
Funny, Rob!
I’m still not certain that I’ll get the 5D2 right away. It will partially depend on how fast the camera can be repaired and the cost of the repair. However, if I saw a good price on a 5D2 body today, I’d probably give in and place an order right now! :-)
LOL Dan, the fates are just trying to help you out with your purchase decision. Now you have a perfect excuse! I’m sorry to hear about the death of your magical 5D that has served you well, but I’m interested as well to hear your review of the MkII!