The service technician’s cry from the soul: “I sprayed WD-40 into the mirror shaft!”

About once a month a “corpse” of a camera with a thick layer of oil emulsion on the matrix is ​​brought to my service center. The story is always the same: *“The shutter began to creak. I read on a forum advice to put a drop of WD-40 or machine oil on the curtains. Dripped. The shutter took two frames and died, and the matrix turned black!”*.

Remember the main rule of photographic equipment: **Shutter curtains work DRY!**

Why is oil on the curtains a guaranteed death for the carcass?

1. The matrix is ​​located 2 millimeters from the curtains:At a speed of movement of the curtains of 1/8000 of a second, any microdrops of oil instantly fly off the lamellas and are sprayed in an even layer directly onto the protective filter of the matrix!
2. Adhesion of graphite lamellas:Carbon and titanium curtains are designed for ultra-minimum weight. The oil creates surface tension: the curtains stick to each other and warp.
3. Where is the lubricant actually located?In the valve, ONLY the micro-bearings and the drive gear, hidden deep in the body, are lubricated. To do this, the shutter is completely dismantled, and the thick lubricant is applied with a needle in micro doses.

Table “Folk Methods” vs Reality

People's Council	What does the amateur think?	What's Really Happening
Sprinkle WD-40 into the mine	“The shutter will become softer”	Oil on the matrix + corrosion of plastic (Repair from 25k)
Add some sewing oil	“It will remove the creaking of curtains”	Sticking of lamellas and breakage of guide springs
Blow with a pear without oil	"Remove specks of dust"	Safe proper care