Weirdness... Broken Camera? - DPChallenge Forums

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon

03/04/2008 08:02:54 PM · #1

Okay I've never seen this before...

I was taking some pictures of my friend's guitar today and when I look through the viewfinder everything looks fine, until I point the camera slightly down. When I do this, the whole image shakes up and down. At first I thought it was me not holding it steady, but its such a constant movement at a fixed speed it seems, and it only happens when the camera is pointing down any amount. This makes it impossible to compose shots and makes me feel a bit motion sick too. It happens on any lens I'm using. When I take the photo, the subject can be anywhere from centre-frame to off-camera. Even when I take straight photos without this shake, the composition on the final image is quite different to that which I see through the viewfinder.

I've taken the lens off and looked into the camera but nothing in there looks like it's moving around or is abnormal. There is a rattle when I move the camera but I think that's just the thing detecting if its landscape or portrait.

Anyone any ideas? Is my camera on the way out?

arron_christensen

Canon EOS-50D

03/04/2008 08:05:10 PM · #2

did you check the mirror? if that was loose, maybe that would explain the shaking of the image when its pointed down. just my first guess.

pineapple

Canon EOS-5D

Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM

03/04/2008 08:09:39 PM · #3

Those things weren't made to last forever ;-) It's a mixed blessing when something like this happens. On one hand, it's your chance to update the body. On the other hand, that means spending money. If it is repairable, I would think about putting that money into a new body. This is a warning sign, if not a death rattle. My 350XT lasted for 2 years before it needed a shutter replacement. That was heavy shooting mind you. Perhaps you have babied that 300D...

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon

03/04/2008 08:09:44 PM · #4

Yeh I did have a look at that, as it makes sense to be the thing that's wrong, but it didn't appear to be loose or anything. I guess the movement would only have to be tiny to look quite big through the magnified viewfinder. Is there a way to tighten it?

The second after I take the photo I see the composition how it should have been when the shutter opens and as the mirror moves back.

arron_christensen

Canon EOS-50D

03/04/2008 08:15:54 PM · #5

i dont think there is anything that YOU can do to tighten the mirror if that is the issue. Take it to a shop to get looked at, and I do agree that it might just be time to upgrade that camera. after my mirror let go on my xt, I almost did, but i have a warranty that covered the repair. hopefully, its an easy fix though, as new bodies are expensive.

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II

03/04/2008 08:40:37 PM · #6

Yeh, if upgrading the body was a viable option I'd go for that no questions, but if the repair is anything as expensive as when I bent 1 CF Card pin I'm going to be without a camera for a while! Ironically I just bought my girlfriend a one for her 21st :P

Nikon D200

03/04/2008 08:44:20 PM · #7

Good luck, Ben. That sounds like a stinky problem to have!