Canon Digital Rebel Problem
 

I've noticed several people on the forums have some pretty nice cameras. Perhaps you could help me fix a problem with my camera. When I increase the shutter speed, I get some weird photos back. Its like the shutter isn't getting out of the way fast enough and half the picture shows up. sometimes the photo i get back is completely black, but upon immediately taking the same photo again, it works fine. Anyone have any similar problems? Anyone know what is wrong or how to fix it?

All help appreciated,
Jonathan

I have an 18-20 month old digital Rebel and it works perfectly. Sorry your's doesn't. I have no ideas or suggestions other than Canon service.

If this problem occurs when using a flash it may be easily corrected. If it appears when not using a flash, I can't think of any remedy other than returning the camera to Canon for repair.

If you get a partial frame when using the flash and the camera isn't malfunctioning, it is due to using too high a shutter speed. When in normal flash mode (the camera does have a special high speed flash mode but you have to activate it via the menus) the shutter curtain has to run slowly enough for the entire sensor to be exposed during the flash. If I recall correctly (we use various Rebels and the 30D) maximum flash sync speed is either 1/180 or 1/200. Make sure the mode you are using isn't allowing the shutter speed to go higher than this speed. Symptoms of using too high a shutter speed with flash is often just as you described. I'm a little concerned that the problem isn't seen consistently, but maybe the exposure program is changing the shutter speed as you move the camera and the lighting of the subject changes.

Hope this helps,

Any chance you can post one of these bad images? Might help give a better idea of what's going on.

I had a similar problem with my Canon EOS 650 film camera. It was an actual shutter curtain problem and had to be repaired. Not sure how the digital cameras work. You probably need to return it or have it checked out.

Karl

I have heard that if you have a lot of shapshots on the camera (i.e more than 10,000 shots), the shutter may need to be replaced. I'd call Canon and see what they have to say. How old is it?

Mine has held up well after about 11,000 shots. 2 years old. Ready to upgrade but have to convince the CFO first.

Found a similar post on a Digital Rebel forum. Sounds like a shutter problem.

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/re...ssage=13299898

Problem Pictures
 

Both of these pictures were taken with a flash, but the flash sync is probably not the culprit here as it happens to photos taken without the flash. It seems as though it is most likely a malfunctioning shutter. The camera was purchased in March from Adorama.com. It currently has taken about 5500 photos. Is it under warranty or am I out of luck since I bought it from an online store?

ps... anyone need some tires?!? j/k

Jonathan

Jonathan, your flash photo problems are due to improper shutter sync. I don't know how to explain this problem with non-flash photos because it would seem that a shutter running at the wrong speed would cause exposure errors, not the dark areas.

However, provided you did not purchase a "gray market" camera (if you have a warranty card with a declaration of a U.S. warranty you do not have gray market) then you are entitled to warranty service from Canon since the camera has a one year warranty. Call Canon USA and they will walk you through the warranty service process.

flash Sync
 

Looking at your pictures, the exif information shows that your camera shutter was set at 1/60" on both pictures, the apeture on the first at 3.5 and the last at 4.0. The rebel xt is capable of a flash sync to 1/200", so both of these pictures should be in sync. these leads me to believe that you have troubles other than flash sync.