X-T30 Mechanical Shutter Issue

[m_swan]

I bought a used X-T30 about a year ago on B&H. I've had a great time with it generally but lately have had an issue with the mechanical shutter. It seems to be lagging, staying open longer than it should. I noticed it initially one day shooting with auto-SS and everything was extremely over-exposed. After some experimenting I found that - with everything in manual - I could expose images fine in electronic shutter, but the same settings in mechanical shutter were very blown out. Interestingly - in burst mode it seems that just the first image of a set is overexposed, while the rest are OK.


Has anybody experienced this sort of issue and had any luck resolving ? The high end of the repair estimate is nearing what I paid originally, and where I live means I have to send it off for a while. So just looking for ideas before I do that. A part of me hopes there's some really dumb user error I'm not accounting for. At this point though I've reset the camera with no improvement.


Appreciate any thoughts!

 

[Erik Baumgartner]

If maxing out the MS (1/4000" with the X-T30) isn't causing the overexposure problem, I'm not sure what could be happening besides a faulty shutter mechanism or Auto-Exposure error. Can you share some examples with intact exif data so we can see what's going on?.

 

[m_swan]

Here's a set that is pretty representative. Hopefully the EXIF data shows - I haven't uploaded to the forum before.


Electronic Shutter


Mechanical Shutter

 

[BobsYourUncle]

Here's a set that is pretty representative. Hopefully the EXIF data shows - I haven't uploaded to the forum before.


Electronic Shutter


Mechanical Shutter

This is a perplexing one. With all the same parameters in manual, the exposures should be identical regardless of type of shutter. Seems like a shutter issue. Since you stated this is a recent development, and. assuming previous to the current issue you were able to obtain identical images whether in Elec or Mech mode, then a service would be required. And only you can assess whether or not to cut bait and/or get a new one (or used) or foot the repair.

Others may have suggestions......reset to factory defaults, remove the battery/replace, etc. As long as you've given the usual "fixes" a try then the next step may be required.

Bob

 

[BobsYourUncle]

with the same parameters you had an got equivalent exposures with mechanical and electronic shutter. I will try tomorrow with a similar subject as you presented to confirm.

Bob

 

[Erik Baumgartner]

Here's a set that is pretty representative. Hopefully the EXIF data shows - I haven't uploaded to the forum before.


Electronic Shutter


Mechanical Shutter

I can’t really think of anything that could cause this discrepancy other than a bum mechanical shutter mechanism. You should absolutely get equivalent exposures with either shutter in at those settings in daylight.

 

[m_swan]

This is a perplexing one. With all the same parameters in manual, the exposures should be identical regardless of type of shutter. Seems like a shutter issue. Since you stated this is a recent development, and. assuming previous to the current issue you were able to obtain identical images whether in Elec or Mech mode, then a service would be required. And only you can assess whether or not to cut bait and/or get a new one (or used) or foot the repair.

Others may have suggestions......reset to factory defaults, remove the battery/replace, etc. As long as you've given the usual "fixes" a try then the next step may be required.

Bob

Yes, it definitely became noticeable recently but now I wonder if there was any indication sooner that I missed. Never thought to compare the two shutter options until it was a problem! Oh well.

Thanks for taking a look.

 

[m_swan]

I can’t really think of anything that could cause this discrepancy other than a bum mechanical shutter mechanism. You should absolutely get equivalent exposures with either shutter in at those settings in daylight.

Yeah, does seem to be the only thing that makes sense. Thanks for taking a look.

 

[ziemek99]

OP, did you fix this issue? I have exactly the same problem with my used X-T100, to the letter. Yes, that includes the 6 FPS burst, where first photo is overexposed and all the following ones are exposed correctly – I could reproduce that. On slower 3 FPS burst all photos are overexposed, though.

 

[m_swan]

OP, did you fix this issue? I have exactly the same problem with my used X-T100, to the letter. Yes, that includes the 6 FPS burst, where first photo is overexposed and all the following ones are exposed correctly – I could reproduce that. On slower 3 FPS burst all photos are overexposed, though.

No, I've just been shooting with ES exclusively. Interesting that the same issue showed up on a different model. If you end up resolving it, let me know!

 

[Tom Schum]

At least you have the workaround to use electronic shutter.

I've been using electronic shutter in my X-E4 almost all the time, even though I have had no issues with the mechanical shutter.

The only unsolvable problem is using Electronic Shutter with flash. It doesn't work. I don't think this is something you can work around.

 

[ArUdd]

Hi - just wondering if you managed to resolve your issue. I have the same problem on my x-pro2 now with completely different exposures between the MS and ES all settings being the same. I have been using the MS predominantly but noticed the overexposed images on my recent trip to Asia which ruined quite a few pic opportunities.

 

[m_swan]

Hi - just wondering if you managed to resolve your issue. I have the same problem on my x-pro2 now with completely different exposures between the MS and ES all settings being the same. I have been using the MS predominantly but noticed the overexposed images on my recent trip to Asia which ruined quite a few pic opportunities.

Unfortunately no, I've never found a solution to this.

 

[Feugi]

Just to rule out a focus point issue causing a metering issue, can you please put your camera on a tripod indoors, use manual focus and set ISO, SS, aperture manually. Take one shot with electronic shutter and one shot with mechanical. If they come out differently then we can confidently say its a mechanical shutter issue.

 

[Davidov]

same here...

anybody know the useful life of the mechanical shutter??? and then, where can i find my shutter count... Could be just plain mend of useful life...

 

[Greybeard2017]

and then, where can i find my shutter count...

unfortunately the X-T30 doesn't give you a mechanical shutter count - this web site will give you a count of all types of images (electronic and mechanical) - but the number rolls over at 64K (it might be helpful if you've owned the camera from new and you don't use the electronic shutter):

https://solentsystems.com/count/

 

[Valeri0]

Hi there, I've got the exact same issue you're describing.

I've been cursing myself for ending up with poorly exposed photos, then realised the electronic shutter gives well exposed photos while it's the mechanical one burning them all.

I suspect the only solution is to take it in for servicing?

 

[jonikon]

As you have suggested , it appears to be a problem with the mechanical shutter. You might take a look at the shutter count using the tool in the link below.

https://www.solentsystems.com/exif3/

 

[Davidov]

Hi there, I've got the exact same issue you're describing.

I've been cursing myself for ending up with poorly exposed photos, then realised the electronic shutter gives well exposed photos while it's the mechanical one burning them all.

I suspect the only solution is to take it in for servicing?

SO I sent mine in to Fuji and yes it was the shutter and the diagnostic and Sutter replacement was somewhere around $250-300. Works great now... and still cheaper than a reasonable replacement or a new T5... and yes I could have just used it with the E-shutter only...

 

[jonikon]

Hi there, I've got the exact same issue you're describing.

I've been cursing myself for ending up with poorly exposed photos, then realised the electronic shutter gives well exposed photos while it's the mechanical one burning them all.

I suspect the only solution is to take it in for servicing?

SO I sent mine in to Fuji and yes it was the shutter and the diagnostic and Sutter replacement was somewhere around $250-300. Works great now... and still cheaper than a reasonable replacement or a new T5... and yes I could have just used it with the E-shutter only...

I'm curious as to whether or not your shutter count was set back to zero after the repair. Have you checked?