HELP!!! 350D Rebel XT Problem - Black Pictures

11/16/2005 12:53:02 PM · #1

Hi,
This is my first SLR, its about 5 months old. The other day after a shoot, i noticed that some of my pictures were completely black, I thought I had done something stupid (lens cap etc) but the EXIF shows about F5 1/1000 iso 200, on a bright day that should be fine. So I went for another shoot today and reviewed every shot after I took one, and still the same thing is happening. I'd say about one shot in twenty is black (completely). I tried changing memory card - still happens. Same with different lenses. The mirror sound fine as well, and the temperature wasnt excessive.

I am really worried, is there something obvious I can try myself? I am reluctant to send it off before xmas, as I know i wont get it back in time. Any ideas?

I am GUTTED!
MARK
:(

lowonenergy

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM

11/16/2005 01:01:06 PM · #2

Is this when U look at them on the pc or in imageviewer on the camera ?

fstopopen

Canon EOS-350D Rebel XT

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

11/16/2005 01:01:59 PM · #3

well mark, I don't know if this will help in fact I imagine it won't but I'll offer a suggestion from my experiance. I have gotten a black frame or two when using external strobes when I push my shutter speed past the 1/200 that the XT supports for flash. When I lower the shutter speed back to that speed, it clears right up. Make sense? If you weren't using strobes, I have no idea ;)

drake

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

11/16/2005 01:02:33 PM · #4

I notice it on the camera itself, and on the PC as well. I shoot JPEG.
edit: All in natural light no flashes or anything

not looking good is it!

Message edited by author 2005-11-16 13:03:26.

kenskid

Nikon D700

11/16/2005 01:05:05 PM · #5

Check google forums also.

Originally posted by cheekymunky:

I notice it on the camera itself, and on the PC as well. I shoot JPEG.
edit: All in natural light no flashes or anything

not looking good is it!

Apple iPhone 5

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 ED

11/16/2005 01:11:04 PM · #6

As a diagnostic step, have you tried pushing levels to maximum in PS for these black frames?

If you can see any noise or pixels, it might indicate the shutter isn't opening correctly.

Or if the image is totally solid, then the problem could be that the file isn't being written to the memory card correctly.

Just because you can hear the mirror doesn't mean the shutter is opening.

lowonenergy

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM

11/16/2005 01:16:22 PM · #7

Originally posted by jhonan:

Good point their, suggest u try that :)

Goodluck

Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

11/16/2005 01:17:48 PM · #8

Just checked now, NO pixels at all - increasing brighness and look at them 600%. Writing problem seem likely then? I did a google search, but wasnt sure how to discribe it. All I got was people haveing a PROBLEM choosing the BLACK or SILVER XT :/

I have a look for writing problems. I'll update my firmware as well.

tonyv

Canon EOS-400D Rebel XTi

11/16/2005 01:24:10 PM · #9

Is the whole frame black? My 300D was giving pictures where 3/4 of the picture was black. It turned out that the autofocus mirror has plastic pins that sheared off. This was the second time this happened. The first time the camera was replaced under warrentee. This last time an old time camera repair guy machined a metal part and promised it would never happen again.

Cheers
Tony

dahkota

Canon EOS-7D

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

11/16/2005 01:27:52 PM · #10

I sometimes get empty frames when I shut the camera off (or remove the card or a lens) when the camera is still writing to the card.

LeeD

Canon EOS-30D

11/16/2005 01:30:45 PM · #11

Originally posted by dahkota:

I sometimes get empty frames when I shut the camera off (or remove the card or a lens) when the camera is still writing to the card.

Hmmm... that brings up a very good point. If the CF card is not "seated" properly, it would have the same effect. Try removing and replacing the CF card to see if that helps. You also might want to check the contacts on the card to see if they're clean.

11/16/2005 01:58:53 PM · #12

Cheers guys!
I'll check the pins. It happened on two cards, and my usual (workhorse) card never comes out my camera, i transfer via USB, and I noticed teh black shot coming in the middle of a series, where I am just recomposing and shooting. I cant put my finger on anything I am doing to cause it it seems completely random, but getting progressively worse.

I'm SURE I would have got a pulitzer with one shot...it was AMAZING...you'll just have to take my word for it...

tazza

Canon EOS-350D Rebel XT