I am having problems with the shutter release on the Canon 40D. Sometimes it will not click and otgher times it works fine. Seems to work fine with the 2 and 10 sec timer release functions. Anybody have this problem? If so, is there a fix that I can do without sending the camera in for repair? Thanks.
The only thing I have tried so far is to use compressed air to blow onto the shutter release button to see if that would blow away any dirt or debris inside the camera immediately under the button. That may have helped a bit. I have had to maneuver my finger over the button, rocking the button from side to side, back and forth to get it to engage. The AF works fine when I push the button half-way.
I've cleaned a few shutter switches with electrical contact cleaner and they came back to life. Realize the cleaner will only help if the short is caused by finger goo/sweat leaked onto the contacts. If the contacts are worn down, they will need to be replaced.
You're supposed to only apply it on the electrical contacts. Realize to be effective at removing chemical residue and finger goo it has to contain solvents. Whatever you do, don't spray any optical components like the reflex mirror, pentaprism or focusing screen. I normally spray a q-tip and wipe the contacts directly.
I've successfully used contact cleaner to fix keyboards but you need to disassemble it and clean the individual key switches. Just spraying the outside just makes for poor penetration, creates a mess and wastes expensive cleaner. I was surprised at how many hairs, cookie crumbs and dried coffee got down there...
Hey, I had this same problem with my 40D and fixed it myself using the video in the description shown here. It requires a tear-down, so it's not for the faint of heart, but it was fun to do it myself.
I've had this happen twice on my 40D. I almost tried the alcohol trick, then read further in a post that there were difficulties from that 'fix' later on. I send mine into Canon both times for a repair cost of about $180 the first time and $210 the second time. Both times it came back working like new and I loved it all over again! Had I seen the YouTube above I may have attempted it but that extra screw would have driven me nuts!
Oh yes - when you send it in, they tell you the cost of repair before you commit, they may also offer you a 'loyalty' upgrade price - but you can have it sent back without repair.
Have easily corrected my issue with a q-tip soaked with electrical contact cleaner from Radio Shack and then just work it in and around the shutter button - then repeatedly press and release and twist the shutter button to work it in where it needs to go. No dis-assembly needed at all and great results.
Has been fine ever since and I didn't spend $200 bucks and/or pack my camera up and ship it off.
