Canon 1d Mark II Issue - Assistance Please!

[jixon]

Hello,

Three months ago I upgraded from a Canon 450d and purchased a Canon 1D Mark II. It's second hand, taken just short of 70,000 shots.

I have noticed that when I take some photographs in portrait (rather than traditional landscape) in terms of holding the camera, a brighter light appears.

It's not the lens as it has happened when I've used a Canon 70-200 f2.8; Canon 17-40 f4 and a Sigma lens 17-35 f2.8.

I will post a couple of photographs this evening showing the issue.

Could it be a sensor issue?
Has anyone else had this issue?
How much does a service cost with Canon?

Thanks in advance
Daniel

[chris-p]

Hi Daniel, welcome to the forum

A light appears on what?

[jixon]

Hello,

Thanks for the welcome. Sorry for the poor description!
I have just added two photographs on to my photoradar account in a folder called Camera Issue. Hopefully they'll explain it far better than I could!
There is nothing obvious on the histogram (albeit two fairly bright days when the photographs were taken). I've not had the issue when using a Canon 100-400mm f4 lens.

Thanks
Daniel

[Markulous]

Difficult to tell from your pics - are they the same number of pixels across? I'd guess that it's either sensor damage or a smeared sensor but can't tell if the line is the same width throughout. I'm guessing that it'll appear more apparent according to the exposure (hence not seeing it on the 100-400) as I can't see how it could be otherwise lens related

I'd suggest trying shots of the sky, OOF and at different apertures and then crop in to just the top left to enable looking closely at the artefact

[KeithT]

It could be a shutter issue (maybe a bit of bounce at the edge) and maybe your shutter is at the end of its life and has more than the 70k shots you state. I don't think it is sensible to gather thoughts from us though, as at best we can only guess at what the problem is. Only a Canon technician will tell you for definite and it might be advisable to send them an image or two to see what they say. They will probably advise you to send it in.

If anyone buys second-hand I would advise paying for a service anyway, just for peace-of-mind.

[Marcus Hawkins]

Daniel, I've seen this before and I'm confident that this is a shutter issue. Is it intermittent, appearing on some frames, then not on others?

[jixon]

Markulous - Yes, they're the same number of pixels on both photographs. I'll try taking photographs of the sky tomorrow (hopefully it'll be a decent day!)

Keith - Thanks for your post. Do you know how much an average Canon service costs? Is there a way of finding the actual number of photographs taken on the camera? (I'm using Windows not a Mac). I hope that I've not been mis-sold a camera.

Marcus - Yes, it's intermittent and so far has only appeared on really bright days. It's also odd that it appears when I hold the camera in portrait (rather than landscape) - if that's the correct definition? Also... Do you ever take on work experience people if I could commit a week to the magazine?!

All - If it's going to be an expensive repair; should I sell it now (upgrading to a newer 1D) or have it repaired?

I purchased it two months ago for £1,760 but that was for the 1D, Canon 70-200mm f2.8, Canon 28-135mm, Canon 50mm f1.8, Sigma 28-70mm f2.8, Tamron 17-35 f2.8, Sigma 70-300 f4. 550EX Speedlite, Sekonic Light Meter and Pelican 1510 Hardcase.

Your thoughts please (be nice)!

[KeithT]

I'm not certain on the cost of service these days. I get mine done via my daughter who works for Canon, so generally a good discount. I think a service would be around 60 or 70 quid plus any parts that might be required. A new shutter could well be anything from £150, but these are off the top of my head of course and unreliable. The best thing to do is register with Canon and ask customer services. Canon have an in-house email service you can use. Or you could phone them.

I use the service centre at Elstree, Borehamwood for my stuff, but there are others dotted around the country and I have used the service centre at Bilton Way in Luton when I lived right on their doorstep many years ago.

Here's a couple of Canon addresses: one North and the other South. You can email or phone them.

H. Lehmann Limited Picture_CPS Logo
AnalogueVideo, Professional Camera, Lens, Digital Video (Except HD models), Professional Lens, Flash, Analogue Compact Camera, Digital Compact Camera, Analogue SLR Camera, Digital SLR Camera

(Lehmann’s can also service the following SD camcorders: FS10/11/19/20/21/22100/200 and HD Camcorders: HF10/11/20/21/100/200, HF S10/S11/S100, HG10/20/21, HR10, HV10/20/30/40)

247-249 London Road
Stoke-on-Trent
ST4 5AA

Tel: 01782 413 611
Fax: 01782 744 579

Web: www.hlehmann.co.uk

Canon (UK) RCC Picture_CPS Logo
Projectors, Professional Camera, Lens, Digital Video, Webcameras, Scanner, Binoculars, Professional Lens, Flash, Analogue Compact Camera, Analogue SLR Camera, Digital SLR Camera

(Note: Video - including HD models; Scanners - only Dedicated 35mm Slide Film Scanners {2700F, FS2710 & the FS4000 models})

Unit 130 Centennial Park
Centennial Avenue
Elstree Hill South
Borehamwood
Elstree
Hertfordshire
WD6 3SE

Tel: 0844 369 0100
Fax: 0208 731 4139

Web: http://www.canon.co.uk

[jixon]

Hi,

Thanks for the info. I've spoken with Canon who have given me a job number.

I am in two minds though; should I get it repaired for say £200-250 or would I be better selling it and putting that money towards a newer model?

I took a few photographs and the line is apparent along the top/ side (depending on how it is held!). Really frustrating as I bought it being told 69,000 shots...

Daniel

[KeithT]

My take on this is simple. Get it fixed and have a really tangible working camera to sell on. At least your purchaser will have the benefit of knowing he/she is getting a good buy, and you will either get your money back or maybe even make a small profit. If you decide not to sell, you will have a decent camera to work with once again. If you don't get it fixed, you will hate selling on the problems to someone else because you wouldn't want it to happen to you (though it did), or you will sell it for next to nothing and lose money. Your shout of course, but you'd be better spending money to accumulate in my view.

Good luck with it anyway.