Denis,
Thank you for the reply about the new shutters. I will have to check as I own two AFDs. The first seemed to be draining batteries too quickly so I returned it in warranty for repaiir and it is fine now. The second one I bought when the first was sent back because I decided backup was worthwhile.
Actually, what made a backup AFD worthwhile was a new one I was able to purchase, in warranty, from an authorized dealer on ebay for $850 (body only).
The AFDII would be nice since, as I understand it, allows auto bracketing ove a wider range of stops than does the AFD.
Anyway, thank you, Denis.