My 30D bit the dust today :( :( (mostly)

[GodlessAstronomer]

I just picked up my camera (Canon 30D) for some quick snaps this afternoon, set it to Av and in broad daylight it is way overestimating the exposure settings. Like for a scene that should require around 1/100 for the settings I used, it's saying 8" or more. Tried it on Tv mode and if I set it to a reasonable shutter speed it selects the widest aperture available and flashes it on the screen (as though it were underexposing).

I have tried with both a Canon 50mm f/1.8 and Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 and the same issue occurs. I have reset to default settings, removed battery, removed the small memory battery, nothing changed. Any ideas here? I'm extremely low on funds and most definitely can not afford another body, or even anything but the most trivial repairs.

I have tried on all metering modes, all ISOs, etc.

 

[ElFenix]

clean the contacts on the camera? it may think the lens is set to a strange aperture

 

[GodlessAstronomer]

Thanks for the suggestion but the contacts on the camera and lenses look brand new, definitely not worn, dirty or corroded. Aaagh this makes me so sad I :heart: my camera.

 

[fuzzybabybunny]

Take out the battery, take out the little backup watch battery, let it sit for an hour, put batteries back in, and see if that works.

 

[GodlessAstronomer]

Isn't it ironic that the day after I criticized another forum member for calling Av/Tv users 'lazy' I get stuck using only M mode? Think someone's out to get me?

 

[GodlessAstronomer]

Originally posted by: fuzzybabybunny
Take out the battery, take out the little backup watch battery, let it sit for an hour, put batteries back in, and see if that works.

Thanks for trying fuzzy but I already tried that this afternoon, no luck.

 

[foghorn67]

Originally posted by: GodlessAstronomer
Isn't it ironic that the day after I criticized another forum member for calling Av/Tv users 'lazy' I get stuck using only M mode? Think someone's out to get me?

haha. Karma! Sucks that you think that.
But anyway. Have you tried another lens? also try metering without the CF card inserted.

Might be the dial contact acting up.

 

[GodlessAstronomer]

Tried without CF card, different lenses. No luck. It's not the dial, as the camera works perfectly in M mode (although the exposure meter claims the frame is way underexposed even on M). Pictures come out just fine in M, including the histogram. I called Canon support and after the jackass on the phone finished scoffing at my "5 year old camera" he said it's likely the logic board and I'll need to send the body in for repair. I have no idea how much that will cost but it certainly sounds expensive.

 

[GodlessAstronomer]

Well guys, the news isn't all bad. Here in New Zealand we have very strong consumer rights laws, one of which states that any goods sold in this country must last a "reasonable amount of time" without defects. Despite Canon's 12 month warranty, a year most certainly falls short of a reasonable amount of time for an expensive DSLR camera. I spoke to my brother who is an accountant and he says according to the depreciation rate on cameras, a reasonable period is around 4 years. I bought mine less than 1.5 years ago.

So this means that in theory I should be able to get Canon to repair or replace the camera at their expense (minus shipping of course). In practice, it should be interesting to see how much I have to fight Canon to get this done. BTW if they inspect the body of my camera they will find absolutely no defects. I have never dropped the camera, it has never been wet, I take extremely good care of it.

 

[randomlinh]

wow, I like that law, hah. Though, as a company, it'd drive me nuts. I've seen how people treat their stuff and expect it to be "perfect." But if you take care of your stuff, these 1yr warranties on $1000+ items seems like consumers getting the short stick.

 

[rivan]

Originally posted by: randomlinh
wow, I like that law, hah. Though, as a company, it'd drive me nuts. I've seen how people treat their stuff and expect it to be "perfect." But if you take care of your stuff, these 1yr warranties on $1000+ items seems like consumers getting the short stick.

I think 1 year warranties for *most* electronic items is a short stick.

Good luck with your camera - I've got a 30D too, and also bought it like the week before the 40D was released.

 

[GodlessAstronomer]

The law doesn't apply to good thats have been mistreated