Camera shutter contact problem repair in 1 min, Canon 20D 30D 40D

[hehoxz]

thank you niels

it works on my 350D 

[TheFreaksAreComming]

Ich werds mal mit der Canon eos 500 d o.O

Ich hoffe es klappt .__.

[UCV024]

THANK YOU! THIS WORKS FINE! ESTO FUNCIONA , GRACIAS POR COMPARTIR !

[fstop3000]

Thank you! My shutter button was not being very responsive. I'd had to either push the shutter button down really hard to take a shot or hold it down, wriggle my finger and wait a moment until the shot was taken. I didn't want to spend a couple hundred bucks if I didn't need to by sending it to Canon or going to a local shop. I used 99% isopropyl alcohol and used a dropper to apply a few mL of solution. I let it dry over night and now my shutter button is working perfectly. Again many thanks!!

[soupnazi81]

It solved my problem after 3 rounds of cleaning with 99% alcohol from Shoppers Drug Mart. (waited 10 hours between cleanings)

Like someone else, it messed up my CANON 40D's ORIENTATION SENSOR (horizontal/vertical).

When pictures are uploaded to PC, they all now appear as vertical shots in Canon's DPP software and in image editing applications like Lightroom. (they didnt' before) Not a huge loss but just a warning. I'd rather take a working shutter button over an orientation sensor.

[sabun1999]

yeah!my problem solved after 7 times cleaning..=)

[sabun1999]

i already clean it for almost 5 times,but the problem still the same.what actually could be the problem?

[MarkJTD]

I performed this "operation" on my (original) 5D. I used 97% alcohol because I couldn't find any 99% alcohol. I waited 48 hours to turn the camera back on afterwards. The shutter button did indeed get nice and clean but was also broken afterwards!

I send the camera in to Canon to get fixed. The problem: damaged wiring. The price to fix it: 157 euros. It could have been worse but I don't think I'll try this again in the future.

[nielsstaehr]

@MarkJTD

Please tell us if the isopropylalchohol had anything to do with the error on your camera. Damaged wiring?

[sabun1999]

can i use 95% isopropyl? it is the same methyl spirit with isopropyl?

[nielsstaehr]

@sabun1999

I would say yes, 95 % can be used. All material in a camera is made of material that can tolerate water, read: no material will rust or oxidize due to a certain degree of vapor inside the camera. But remember water can be a ion-carrier if there is a salt dissolved in it. So use the 95% but be sure to let the camera dry thoroughly before use, as not to get som electric problems.

[sabun1999]

can i use 95% isopropyl alcohol?

[kenne01l]

Worked on my 40D with 91% isopropyl!! Happy although I must not have had the correct angle cause a little fluid got into the upper display :( which made the corner a little foggy but not bad and isn't harming the function. I would do it again and perhaps I'd use a little less than I did. Again great video and I'm glad I stumbled across it!

[nielsstaehr]

@mantrasiva

The problem is not damage to the material. The problem is, that it is easy for a liquid to be sucked into the layerstructure which the display is made of, it will find its way between the layers. And the waporing from between two layers is very slowly, and will give a long period with a bad looking display. I don't know if the material in the displaylayers will be damaged, but generally will lcd plastic and display surface not be damaged by isopropyl.

[nielsstaehr]

@nielsstaehr Sorry mantrasiva, by accident i deleted your question about damage to the lcd plastic and the display surface.

To omit liquid running into the display it is important to keep the camera in an angle so only the battery compartment will be wet.

[darrenhagen]

Just used this on my 20D and...like everyone else here is saying, it worked!!! Keeping this tucked away for future use!

[asheltonphoto]

I have to say after a few beers and watching Die Hard several times, my balls dropped enough to try what seems like something only a madman would try. It friggin worked!!

As luck would have it, it died on me today...and I've just now starting to get regular clients with three shoots this week. I was almost stressed to the max over this. This (along with those beers) will help me sleep better tonight!

Thanks!

[scorpiistar]

i found your video after my canon 5D mark ii suffered the same problem, bit of a gamble but it paid off! i used 1/4 the amount in the video and i dropped it in the bottom of the battery compartment with a straw. the liquid didnt appear to go anywhere,just sat in a small pool.....i was skeptikal that it had actually gone anywhere near the switch.....much respect for pioneering this ballsout camera first aid :)

[DanMumford]

Just done this with my 50D and it worked! Insane! Saved me over £180 on repair and postage costs! :-D

[tonster2]

Works!!! tried it on my 30D. A tablespoon of isopropyl alcohol 99.9% just like on the video.

Left it for 3 hours to dry - works like a DREAM! Thank you so much!!!

[huskykhtam]

OMG it works on my Nikon D70s =))) Can't believe N and C have the same problem....

[jimmanyb]

Did this on a 40D, like a lot of people said it took two tries and it worked!!! Amazing.

I got impatient and only left it for 30 minutes but that worked. I did have it near a fan to move some air around it.

[xpapertigerx]

will this work with the 50d?



[paelzuniga]

Tried it. Hope it works.

[aiptekc100]

It work by canon 30d perfect

[ozpanda]

For those of you who are in Australia, Bunnings sales Diggers Isopropyl Alcohol (100%) for AUD $7.98 a bottle.

[sandwhy]

Huzzah!!! Worked like a charm - thank you so much!!! :D

[Ajay308]

Wow, it really did work. thank you! you've saved me £80!

[Ajay308]

Wow, it really did work. thank you! you've save me £80!

[fotokyste]

I was skeptical and afraid to damage my 40D after this "cleaning". But I got the typicall shutter issue and i didn't want to spend about 180$ for a repair at Canon.

So I tried it tomorrow with 99% Isopropanol and what should I say? It worked! And my 40D shutter is like new (for the first time). Thank you nielstaehr.

[ron4491]

I was skeptical at first but willing to try it. To send it in, would be around $150.00 for repairs. I checked at the Drug store and did find the 99% alcohol not the 95%..I did what the video said and it seemed to work... Hope for a while....Thinking it over does make sense... How happy camper....

[JOAOMMFF]

IT WORKED!!!

[kidartem]

but does this work on the 50D guys?

[kidartem]

@kidartem it worked

[jfunk84]

I've never commented on a video before, but I had to post my appreciation for this upload. I did it on my 30D and it's working like new again. THANK YOU!

[dkstall]

I too am another happy follower! My 50D developed shutter button issues after two years and 30,000+ snaps. A little 99.9% alcohol did the trick for me. THANKS!

[mottjoon]

I was skeptical at first but tried your method anyway

before sending it to the service center.

IT WORKED !!! Thank you so very much.

I owe you several hundred bucks!



[dedemanix]

Niels, I wish to thank you from the bottom of my heart :) for saving me the trouble of sending my 40D to the service. I followed your instructions and the camera works just great. Thanks a lot!

[nielsstaehr]

When I look at the construction of 350D, I would say it looks like 30D.... , so YES, this will work on 350D, if there is the diminutive passage from battericompartment to the top of the body, where the shuttercontacts is placed. Be sure to lean the camera towards right, as shown in the video, so the fluid only reaches the contacts, and not other parts of the inside body. Regards Niels

[nielsstaehr]

@nielsstaehr

For sceptic minds:

search on the web for the following text:

"Yeah I routinely use rubbing alcohol to clean electronics."

...and see a powered motherboard running sunken into isopropyl alchohol.

[hehoxz]

does this work on the 350D too ?

i have same problem .. 

[monkeywithhat]

Hi Niels,

I had the same issue with my Canos EOS 40D after three years of usage.

Sometimes the shutter delayed about 3 secons after pressing the shutter button. That was annoying.

So, I went to the next drug store and bought Isopropanol 99% 200ml and a pipette about 4€.

Then I dropped the Isopropanol in the battery case with the pipette and followed your istructions. Incredible it works!!!

Thank you Niels for your incredible video.

[nonoimsuck]

Лош, кнопка практически герметична, и проблемой заэдания и вихода из строя явлаэтся обламиваниэ ушек контактной тарелочки и требует апаратное вмешательство !

[jlpnatividad]

can i use 91% alcohol? I can't find 99% in local stores.

[nielsstaehr]

@jlpnatividad

I have used 95% but I am not a chemist and dont know how if water will be left.

If it was me I would make a test on a stell, plastic or glass plate and see how it works by looking at the way it evaporates.

[davejenbarnes]

@jlpnatividad I searched and couldn't find anything higher than 91% either so I was skeptical... I went ahead and used the 91% and waited about 18 hours before trying my camera out and it seems to be fine. Well. Truthfully, it's better than fine... the shutter release buttons is FANTASTIC again!

[jlpnatividad]

@davejenbarnes Good to know, thanks so much!

[ale5punk]

hahaha it seams like if he is going to kill the camera by poison it...and the camera doesn't know it...like the death of the little girl in sixth sense..hahaha

[Xyb3rTeCh]

this is also happens to 50D

[truedaystar]

I just did this last night to my 40D, seems to be working godd... Will try it more this afternoon. Camera work great witha remote release cord just a sticky shutter release, seems to be working good, will let youknow

[jpepper231]

Does anyone know if this repair will work on an XSI/450d?

[MakionCMa]

be happy! haha

[markusinho]

that's really great! i'am gonna try this by myself and than i'll report here. thanxx

[diegolomonaco]

It really works!!! Funciona muito bem! Thanks and congratulations! Fixed my 30D!

[markusinho]

@diegolomonaco: i have the same problem with my 30D too. so i think i'am going to try this way here of cleaning the camera shutter by myself. the question i have for you is "what acohol to buy and where to buy?" i also live in Brasil (Fortaleza) but i really don't know what / where to buy. could you give me some tips please...

[montrealwest]

@markusinho Go to the pharmacy an get it there. Make sure it is 99% though because they might also have 70% and other variations.

[montrealwest]

Neilsstaehr - A BIG thank you to you for this repair. I did it with Isopropanol 99% and a 1tsp eye dropper. The first time I did it, I waited 12 hours and the problem seemed better but it still mis-fired. I then did it a second time and it seems perfect.

Both times I waited 12 hours and I rotated the button and clicked it numerous times while it was wet.

It feels like a new camera - thanks again!!!

[mzahra1]

You should use "contact cleaner", less residue.

[zebraman777333]

@mzahra1 As in CRC, please people don't put Contact Lens cleaner in you cameras LOL use CRC

[JHB141]

This also works on a 10D, and I used the common 91% Isopropyl Alcohol that you can get from Walmart, drug store, etc. I would NOT use anything with a lower percentage, though. I took out the coin battery that keeps the date/time and memory card just to be extra safe, and let the camera dry overnight. Also, I used a small eyedropper to put the alcohol down at the lowest part of the bottom of the battery compartment so there was that much less camera for it to run through. ENJOY!

[nielsstaehr]

Contact lens solution is water with som salt-stuff in it. I will NEVER recommend pouring salty water or water at all into a camera.

[nielsstaehr]

Hey folks

I can se that some people have been using other fluids than 99% isopropyl alcohol. Dont do that.

Reason 1: There are only 1% of water in it.

Reason 2: The 99% alcohol makes no damage to electronics and has a great vaporisness, so it will dissapear totally in few hours.

Reason 3: It is not electric conductive

Reason 4: It dissolves insulating fat and oily shit from the contacts. And it's the electric contacts which need cleaning.

[nielsstaehr]

Yes, unless there are no leaks from batterycompartment to inside house, and if thats the situation then no fluid will disappear from batterycompartment, and the situation will be unchanged. Remember leaning the camera to the right as not to get fluid touching the upper display.

[gabeszphotography]

Hy! What do you think? Is this process works with Canon 450D too? ;)

[ejicon]

Why not just take a bit of rubbing alcohol on a cottom swap and rub it across the shutter button. Seems kinda intense with the spoon full of sugar.

[tricerri123]

well after watching the video 4 times, i decided 2 try it on my 40d. it worked! i let it dry for a good 2 hours before i put the battery back in. boy was i nervous 2 put that battery back in. i had my fingers crossed the whole time. thank u for the upload!!!!!!!! this is great!

[khammo01]

I tried this on my 50D and it is working great now!

[mooncoinphoto]

Did this to my 40D and now it works fine. many many thanks!

[dfawfzx]

Some forums advise using the contact lens solution.

[msowsun]

@dfawfzx

I doubt any forum would say to use stuff for Contact lenses to clean electrical switches. I am sure they meant "Contact Cleaner" as in "Electrical Contacts" or "Electrical Switches"..

[zebraman777333]

@msowsun yes I am sure they are talking about Electrical contact cleaner as in CRC your right, some people just don't know crap LOL

[zebraman777333]

@dfawfzx they are saying CONTACT CLEANER AS IN CRC, not contact lens cleaner!

[bbcmember18]

hey i hav a con 20d ....for sum reason da display screen will not show focus of a pic before i take it....is ther sumthin in the menu i need to change?????

[SwitchRich]

I made the mistake of doing this with some off the shelf contact cleaner (which turned out to be a bit oily). It hasn't fixed my 50D but it's added the feature of giving me continuous shooting even when I'm in single shot mode....oh dear.

[nielsstaehr]

@SwitchRich Then just take a trip with isopropylalchol if the stuff can dissolve your oily thing.

[SwitchRich]

Actually it's fine now. It was misbehaving for a few weeks but now it's settled down - no more problems with the shutter at all. Still, I'll be sure to use the right stuff next time.

[dentx]

I tried this on my daughter's 30d and it works. I'm glad I didn't take my camera apart just to clean it. There's another video on youtube where the guy takes apart his whole camera just to clean the shutter, lol.