Brand New Canon 7D problem - Please Help!

Original Poster

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Chris
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Got my brand new 7D today from Panamoz however there seems to be a problem :(

When I shoot in live mode I see the image I've taken show up on the display however when shooting in 'non live mode' IE through the shutter the picture that displays on the screen is totally black.

update on the above, full auto, shutter priority and aperture priority are all stuck at 1/4000th and F22 or is,liar, it's as if the camera thinks its looking at something really bright however this is in my living room with not a huge amount of natural light, certainly not enough light to be shooting at 1/8000th.

Full manual mode eliminates the problem completely.

Seems I've got a duff one?!

Any ideas? Absolutely gutted to be honest as its brand new!
 
Original Poster said:
It was on automatic so low, 100 I believe.
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Automatic ISO inside on the 7D normally has it 1600-3200 with flash turned off.

Are the pictures black when you take them? Or just when you look through the view finder.
 
Looking through the view finder they're absolutely fine, it's when you look back through what you've taken that they're all black due to the ridiculously fast shutter speed!

Strangely when I shoot in live view mode they do appear fine when looking back through them.

Also using manual mode makes them become visible, it's just full auto, AV and TV mode!

Absolutely gutted to be honest :(
 
I think you need to post a pic on here complete with exif data intact
 
Is the meter giving a reading that suggests that you should be getting a reasonable exposure?
 
jon ryan said:
Is the meter giving a reading that suggests that you should be getting a reasonable exposure?
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When in full manual the meter is on the far right hand side to get anything other than a black image!

Some sample pictures below to help diagnose the problem -

IMG_0076-1.jpg


IMG_0083.jpg


IMG_0088.jpg
 
OK. The black shot exif shows 1/5000th, f/20 and 100 ISO. You would need to be standing in the middle of the sun to get anything much at that. The next shot has 1 second exposure, f/3.5 and 100 ISO. Which gives a reasonable exposure but a load of camera shake due to the slow shutter.

Doesn't seem to be anything unexpected!

Try something like manual setting, 1/30th, f/3.5, 3000 ISO and see what happens. In manual, make sure the meter gives a reading in the middle of the range, and re-adjust from there.
 
jon ryan said:
OK. The black shot exif shows 1/5000th, f/20 and 100 ISO. You would need to be standing in the middle of the sun to get anything much at that. The next shot has 1 second exposure, f/3.5 and 100 ISO. Which gives a reasonable exposure but a load of camera shake due to the slow shutter.

Doesn't seem to be anything unexpected!

Try something like manual setting, 1/30th, f/3.5, 3000 ISO and see what happens. In manual, make sure the meter gives a reading in the middle of the range, and re-adjust from there.
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OK just tried the above, 1/30th, f3.5 and 3200 ISO, this is the result -

IMG_0090.jpg


And this is the exact the same picture taken at exactly the same angle a few seconds afterwards but in full auto mode. The room is fairly well lit so although would never be perfect, should certainly not be like this -

IMG_0091.jpg
 
Exif on the second pair shows f/20 on the partially visible shot and 1/4000th, f22, 100 ISO on the black one. Try manual again - and check your aperture. If the meter indicator is to the right, it is over exposing - unlikely in that light.
 
I think that the first thing I'd do is wade through every single option in the menu and make sure that all options are set to reasonable settings or OFF as IMVHO this looks like some sort of wierd setting option problem.
 
really REALLY silly question - you haven't got the exposure comp set to the far left by any chance?

Said it was a silly question.

have you tried a different lens as well? if you have and it is still the same and you have done all re-sets etc etc then I would seriously consider getting in touch with the supplier - sorry, don't leave it too long!

.DAVID.
 
woof woof said:
I think that the first thing I'd do is wade through every single option in the menu and make sure that all options are set to reasonable settings or OFF as IMVHO this looks like some sort of wierd setting option problem.
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You'd hope a full reset would do this.

Is this just in full auto mode? What about in AV or P mode?#

I'd look at returning the camera to be honest, although haven't Panamoz shut down until after new year?
 
David Stallard said:
really REALLY silly question - you haven't got the exposure comp set to the far left by any chance?

Said it was a silly question.

have you tried a different lens as well? if you have and it is still the same and you have done all re-sets etc etc then I would seriously consider getting in touch with the supplier - sorry, don't leave it too long!

.DAVID.
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How would I check the exposure comp?

Yeah Panamoz have shut down till the 2nd Jan!

It does it in all modes except manual but when using live view it doesn't do it at all! Very strange...
 
Think you may be looking at a duff meter here.........

When you're in LiveView the camera is metering off the sensor itself. When you're using the "thru the viewfinder" mode the camera uses a different meter which in Canons is located in the pentaprism (which is why you get the rubber bit to cover the viewfinder if needed).

If the pentaprism meter is up the swanee then that would explain the symptoms you're getting.
 
Krisstiffer said:
Think you may be looking at a duff meter here.........

When you're in LiveView the camera is metering off the sensor itself. When you're using the "thru the viewfinder" mode the camera uses a different meter which in Canons is located in the pentaprism (which is why you get the rubber bit to cover the viewfinder if needed).

If the pentaprism meter is up the swanee then that would explain the symptoms you're getting.
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That's interesting and sums up the symptoms perfectly.

Is the pentaprism meter an easy fix?
 
First of all Chris I would suggest making sure you have the latest firmware installed if you have not already, but judging by your problem I too would think there is an issue with the camera.
 
Minor bum steer - the metering mechanism is different on the LiveView cameras - all done with mirrors now :) - what I'd guess is that the secondary mirror (behind the main one) that reflects down to the meter in the base of the camera is either broken or not flipping down correctly. In LiveView you're not reliant on the mirror to reflect into the light meter/focussing module but when you're using the viewfinder and the main mirror is down then this secondary mirror is vital. But still reckon it's a camera fault and nothing you're doing.

It's a new camera - invoke the warranty. There's no excuse for putting up with anything less than the supplier sorting it for you.
 
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Yeah to be honest this post is more about confirming its a camera error and not something I'm doing wrong.

Based on the fact that Panamoz aren't back till the 2nd is there anything I can buy to fix the issue and then sort the costs involved out with Panamoz when they're back?

I really want to make the most of time off from work with the camera you see!
 
Use manual mode if it totally eliminates the problem

Think I have a chart somewhere that suggests settings to input manually depending on the light conditions

Could scan it in and send if it would help out
 
Full manual mode eliminates the problem completely
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Sorry, only going by what you said earlier, can you just use live view then?

Wouldn't start messing about with it because that would surely invalidate the warranty
 
If you can use Manual settings to get you through to the New Year when Panamoz reopens then at least you'll get some shots out of it in the meantime. Send Panamoz an email saying what the problem is and they'll reply as soon as they are back. You might even be lucky enough to get contacted through the forum as Tina from Panamoz is on here sometimes.

You'll get an email with a London address to send the camera back to so you wont have to send it overseas yourself and if I was you, I'd send it by RMSD to make sure it's been received. It might cost you a bit extra but it's worth the extra to be safe.

I recently sent a Sigma lens back to Panamoz through a warranty return and I received a brand new lens after only 11 days so you shouldn't be without it too long, but I can feel your pain with the situation.
 
Chris/OP - use a combination of manual/LiveView until you can get the warranty repair sorted.

Hope I misinterpreted you when you indicated that you were thinking of trying to do some kind of fix yourself....... Irrespective of whether it's the metering module (and where it is in the camera!!) or something else the chances of it being something you can fix are bloody slim to completely non-existent. You will also invalidate any warranty you have and possibly line yourself up for all kinds of **** in the future.....

Use it best you can for now but get it sorted properly through the supplier - I know it's a ****er but think you'd be nuts to try to sort it any other way..........
 
Use the liveview/manual workaround to get some pictures in the meantime until Panamoz open up again in the New Year.. but DO NOT ATTEMPT ANY MECHANICAL FIXES/REPAIRS YOURSELF. Send Panamoz an email today, so that the problem is recorded ASAP. Get them to replace it.
 
? Does it do it with other lenses
as mine for some reason acts up can't change apature Remove lens and reconsct a few times then it Back to normal sometimes it just little twist
 
the ghost said:
? Does it do it with other lenses
as mine for some reason acts up can't change apature Remove lens and reconsct a few times then it Back to normal sometimes it just little twist
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Chris - it may be worth checking another lens as suggested here. There's an outside chance the problem is the lens, and it would be annoying to replace the body and still find you have a problem!
 
Original Poster said:
Yeah I did a camera reset from the menu and also took both the batteries out for half an hour, no joy!
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Both batteries? Have you tried removing the grip to see if that makes a difference?

In most cases, I would also suggest returning the faulty camera to the supplier and getting a replacement but with Panamoz (and other far eastern cheapie shops) that's not an easy option!
 
Nod said:
Both batteries? Have you tried removing the grip to see if that makes a difference?
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The 7D has a small lithium battery used for saving settings etc - so i don't think it is a grip being referred to.

In most cases, I would also suggest returning the faulty camera to the supplier and getting a replacement but with Panamoz (and other far eastern cheapie shops) that's not an easy option!
Click to expand...

Panamoz are a bit different as they do actually sort replacements out pretty quick via a london address.
 
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