Having an issue wth a Canon Xsi

Vasp

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Jan 15, 2004
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Need help with an XSi

Bought one recently at target.
Was messing with the settings in order to learn the features.

Now i have a camera with a black screen. Nothing shows up on it. Even if i press display repeatedly nothing comes up. Screen is still black.

The camera does take pictures. I swapped out the SD card into another camera and can definitely see the pictures taken on the XSi.

Was wondering if anyone can help me out with the settings or should I contact canon about it.

I read through the manual, but no troubleshooting technique is available for this symptom.

Thanks
 

Vasp

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Jan 15, 2004
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Another member suggested that may be i turned the brightness of the screen display too low.

I guess this actually cannot be fixed without having access to the menu.

THanks for the input.
 

ElFenix

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Another member suggested that may be i turned the brightness of the screen display too low.

I guess this actually cannot be fixed without having access to the menu.

THanks for the input.

if it really is a setting you have to remove the batteries for a bit to reset the setting. there is a main battery that you're probably aware of, and there is also a small battery off the main compartment somewhere.
 

slashbinslashbash

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Feb 29, 2004
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Ok, to test if the screen brightness is too low, hold up the screen to a very bright light and look into it while pressing the menu button and other buttons that normally would make stuff show on the screen. If you can see stuff on the screen, then the backlight is either turned off or broken somehow. It is just like a laptop with a burned-out backlight. Under a bright light, you will be able to see something at least.

I've never seen a Canon camera with an LCD that could be turned all the way off in settings. How would you ever turn it back on? Does the XSi have one of the cheek proximity sensors that automatically turns off the screen when you put your face to the viewfinder? That's another part that could be broken and causing this symptom.
 

ElFenix

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iirc, target has a 90 day return policy, if it's defective and you're still within that you might as well just exchange it.
 

Vasp

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I got it on clearance for about $220. I'd rather send it to canon for warranty work. just bought on 7/21/10
 

ElFenix

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you should also ask at POTN and dpreview as those forums are pretty heavily trafficked and someone may have an answer better than sending it into canon.
 

slashbinslashbash

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Feb 29, 2004
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If it's still under warranty, you want to get it fixed under warranty. There's always the chance that it's something simple like a connecting plug coming loose, and you *could* fix it by opening up the camera and poking around in it, but that would void your warranty. There is no point to "self-fixes" as long as it's under warranty (and as long as you've done all the basic troubleshooting that you can.... did you try looking under a light like I suggested above?)

If there is a full-service Canon dealer close to you, you could take it there and see if they will fix it -- if not, they can at least help you send it in. I think that Canon's US service centers are in SoCal and NJ, and from what I've heard, they do take walk-ins.
 

Vasp

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Jan 15, 2004
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Sent it off to canon for warranty service.
Thanks for all the input guys. SHould have it back in 3-4 days.