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About a year ago, the shutter release switch on my Canon 20D began to lose sensitivity. This resulted in more than a few blurry pictures — and shutter misfires — as I repeatedly tapped the switch in an effort to trigger the shutter.

A malfunctioning shutter release switch is a fairly common problem with the Canon 20D, 30D, and 40D digital SLRs. The problem may be resolved in one of two ways: send the camera to Canon for repair or boldly repair it yourself.

I chose the latter option, of course.

Since the repair process had the potential to produce a tragically camera-shaped paperweight, I availed myself of Douglas A. Kerr’s comprehensive article on the replacement of the Canon 20D shutter release switch (PDF).

(Sidenote: Mr. Kerr writes and curates a great collection of articles on the nuances of “optics, photography, and imaging” — among other subjects — at his website.)

I obtained a replacement shutter release switch (Canon part number CH9-0233-000) from USCamera.com a few days ago. Beyond that diminutive component, the only required tools are a soldering iron, solder, desoldering braid, tweezers, and a Philips No. 00 screwdriver.

Disassembly of the camera body was surprisingly easy.

Observe the delectable sweetmeats found within a digital SLR.

The desoldering of the old release switch and soldering of the new release switch were the trickiest phases of the operation: I was mortally afraid of melting a ribbon cable with the soldering iron. Things went smoothly, however. No second-degree burns.

I’m pleased to report that — after reassembling the body and reinstalling the battery — the camera is responding perfectly. I can’t wait to get it back into the field.

This post was updated on 2011-03-23 to correct the links to Douglas A. Kerr’s website. (The domain changed from doug.kerr.home.att.net to dougkerr.net.)