DCS Pro SLR/n - Shutter Speed or Shutter Fault?

Pro-Vista · #1 01-20-2007, 07:32 AM

DCS Pro SLR/n - Shutter Speed or Shutter Fault?

I have two DCS Pro SLR/n cameras which I use in my studio.
Both are set to work routinely at f/8 @ 1/125sec. (I prefer a faster speed to 1/60 or 1/90 to 'freeze' movement in some of my studio shots.)

One of them shows a dark black band at the top of the frame (see attached) - only for the first exposure, then it works okay at this setting. (It will reoccur if I leave the camera idle for c. 45 mins.) The other camera does not exhibit this problem. It doesn't matter what order I use them, or which lenses I have fitted to which camera. The problem only occurs on the first exposure of that camera.

I have sent the camera off for repair/inspection, and Kodak say nothing is at fault. They tell me 1/125 sec is too fast and that's why the band occurs. Well, if this is the case, then why doesn't it keep happening, and why does my other camera (with exactly the same spec) not show the same fault.
Furthermore, Kodak's own spec sheet states a max sync flash speed of 1/125 sec (although they tell me this is only for the camera's own pop-up flash). I know of several other v. experienced photographers who have used this make of camera at this setting without any problems.

Has anyone any idea if this is likely to be a fault or a shutter speed setting problem? Surely if it was a shutter speed setting problem then both cameras would show it, and every exposure would do too??!

AlecThigpen · #2 05-15-2007, 12:43 AM

Sticky shutter.

LarryLetzer · #3 05-15-2007, 02:27 AM

Pro Vista,

Why do you need a fast shutter speed in the studio? I presume you are using strobes and the slowest flash duration is faster than 1/125 of a second. So unless you have a lot of ambient light or keep your studio light very bright you're strobe will stop 95% of the action better than your shutter will.

Of course, this does not work in daylight.