Cam W 
, Sep 06, 2010; 05:16 p.m.
Hi
A series of 6 photos, taken as the father of the bride gave away his daughter, are partially black. My best guess is that it's the shutter, but I would like some help to make sure. Or is it the lens? Shots before and after this are fine (with same body/lens combo)
And also what should I do next to make sure this doesn't happen again? Luckily my next wedding isn't until the beginning of Oct.
Camera: d700
lens: nikon 70-200 f2.8, vr1
flash turned off
f4.0 @ 1/2000, 135mm
thanks in advance for your help!
Cam
mystery black blob
Ker B , Sep 06, 2010; 05:36 p.m.
Did you by chance have a petal on your lens?
David Schilling - Chicago, Illinois 
, Sep 06, 2010; 05:43 p.m.
I'm sure it's not the shutter. I suspect that Ker is correct and it's a petal-style lens hood that is slightly twisted on the lens.
petal-style lens hood
Cam W , Sep 06, 2010; 06:07 p.m.
Yes, I did have a petal hood on the lens! Thanks. Now feeling silly & relieved. :-)
So does that mean I didn't have it twisted on properly?
David Haas 
, Sep 06, 2010; 06:10 p.m.
Not the shutter... shutter would be a vertical or horizontal black shade...
I'd agree with the petal from the lens hood causing this - but I have a 70-200 VR 1 and I've never seen anything close to this...
Maybe the aperture blades got stuck and then unstuck.
Dave
David Schilling - Chicago, Illinois , Sep 06, 2010; 06:19 p.m.
So does that mean I didn't have it twisted on properly?
Yes, it wasn't completely on. And yes, silly is as silly does :-)
Jerry Litynski 
, Sep 06, 2010; 09:57 p.m.
You might consider Photoshopping the groom's face or the bride's flowers into that black corner...
Ruben Leal , Sep 06, 2010; 10:32 p.m.
I would try to recreate the problem before declaring it solved. I guess a petal shaped lens hood would cause two dark corners and not just one. On the other hand, a camera strap could cause something like this, but will be harder to recreate than a rotated hood.
David Schilling - Chicago, Illinois , Sep 06, 2010; 10:36 p.m.
I'm betting the problem persisted for several/many shots and then stopped after the hood was adjusted...........if it was a one time occurrence then it could have been a wayward strap or something.
John Deerfield , Sep 07, 2010; 12:19 a.m.
I am unconvinced. Would that flower extend so far into the dark area if it was some sort of obstruction? I suppose strange things can happen.... but let us know if it happens again or if something else is amiss.
