Posted on 12/30/2010 4:04:06 AM PST by Second Amendment First
My first reply got blown away - web site failure!
Anyway, the reason I mention the shutter as a protector to the sensor is that the shutter mechanism is much cheaper to replace than the sensor. Shutters today are made from carbon fiber or titanium, not rubberized cloth. While they can still be damaged by sunlight through a telephoto lens, they are more durable than they used to be.
The reason that I mentioned sensor damage is that pointing a DSLR at the sun while in live-view mode (sensor is exposed, real-time image displayed on back) is cautioned against by the manufacturer. Also, I know of at least two incidents where sensors have been damaged while shooting video at a laser show when the laser light shined directly into the camera.
Can't argue with that, as I got out of the photo business back when digital cameras were in the $10K range. I still have my Canon A1, but it is dying, and too expensive to fix right now. Either the mirror pivots are worn out, or some other problem has happened to cause the mirror to move VERY slowly when the shutter is released. I've also got an Elan 7E, but not gotten to play with it much. Film cameras have gotten to expensive to play with. The A1 has had over 10,000 rolls of film through it; I used it professionally from 1980 to 1985, working as an Air Force photographer.
I have an A1 also. It was my dad's camera, and it's sitting proudly on display in the curio cabinet next to my old FT-QL (which was also my dad's until he got his A1) and the Argus that Dad used in the mid-1960s. They all work mechanically, though I can't vouch for their performance since I haven't used any of them in years. Haven't even shot film since 2003 when I got my Canon 10D.
If you really like, a place called KEH.com might be able to repair your A1, or you may be able to buy one in good condition there. They specialize in used camera gear and repairs, though they also sell new gear.
I always enjoy Travis McGee's posts, but I haven't read any of his books yet. I need to, but I'm so behind in my book reading that I really need to catch up with what I already have before moving forward. Since the commies took over the federal government in 2008, I've been on overload, alternately going into reading, home improvement, and yardwork. Just trying to keep something positive going.
Dang!! The mirror. I forgot completely about the mirror, which does serve to protect the shutter from direct light (and I failed to mention it in my response to "Old Student". The mirror is obviously in the light path and redirects the majority of the light to the pentaprism and away from the shutter.
I’m hoping that flash memory will last for quite a while. There are CF and SD boards that can make the flash memory act as an IDE drive.
I have a digital video camera that produces the same effect, especially for objects near the camera.
Willie Green pushed public train systems for years and years before this happened. I kinda miss Willie.
But for me. it was always Ektachrome!
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