Canon EOS 20d Exposure Freakout (Page 2): Thanks, kekoakona. Maybe that's it, but the specs indicate that both the aperture and shutter speed are going nuts. And the 7D is a lot more...

Tom29520 Loc: South Carolina

kekoakona wrote:

Tom,
A little over a month ago my Canon 7D started giving me intermittent exposure problems however my photos came out dark. It wasn't long after that, that I got error 20 messages and the camera failed to work. I had taken about 60,000 photos with it prior to its failure.

I had to send it in to have the shutter replaced. I haven't had any issues since. I sent it to http://www.unitedcamera.com/. They fixed it and got it back to me in a little over a week.

Thanks, kekoakona. Maybe that's it, but the specs indicate that both the aperture and shutter speed are going nuts. And the 7D is a lot more valuable camera than the 20D. I haven't heard anything here that indicates it would make sense to fix my camera, when I can buy a good used 40D from B&H for around 200 - 260. I was hoping there was something simple behind the problem.

wcmoorejr Loc: Birmingham Alabama

Tom,

I would try to turn off the camera, remove the battery, wait a few seconds and put it back in. It might help. But I would expect that it will not. My 20D did almost the same thing to my daughter when it died.

Regards,
Willie

rjriggins11 Loc: Colorado Springs, CO

Hi. My name is Rick. Im the owner and lead technician at Discount Camera Repair and a member in good standing here at the UHH. Ive been doing repairs for other members here at greatly discounted rates and would be glad to help.

I'd be more than happy to repair the camera for you and keep the cost as low as possible. If youre interested, please respond by private message or simply reply to this post.

Tom29520 Loc: South Carolina

rjriggins11 wrote:

Hi. My name is Rick. Im the owner and lead technician at Discount Camera Repair and a member in good standing here at the UHH. Ive been doing repairs for other members here at greatly discounted rates and would be glad to help.

I'd be more than happy to repair the camera for you and keep the cost as low as possible. If youre interested, please respond by private message or simply reply to this post.

My concern is that it will cost more to fix than the body is worth. I've attached a screen shot of the File Explorer page, showing how the exposure comes and goes. These are in the sequence shot, with camera on tripod, same lighting, same settings, just moving people in and out of the picture. Some worked, some half-worked, many lost. No chance to reshoot, so it's probably time to move up to a used 40D.

(Download)

Tom29520 Loc: South Carolina

Also, the RAW files look just like the jpg files.

crappiefever Loc: Central Pa

Tom29520 wrote:

Doing a series of group photos, camera on tripod, no change in settings or position or lighting. In a series of photos, exposure varied wildly, from correct to somewhat overexposed to totally overexposed. Properties confirm that both aperture and shutter speed contributed to over-exposures. My question is, why? Software malfunction? Worn out camera? Is it fixable, or is it time to shop?

Could be wrong but I will guess shutter is going bad causing it to stay open and hence your wild over exposure .

twowindsbear

Turn off exposure bracketing.

twowindsbear

Dupe deleted

crappiefever Loc: Central Pa

twowindsbear wrote:

Turn off exposure bracketing.

On the 20 d exposure bracketing woud be in threes 3,6,9 etc. but I don't set any sets of three

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

Stop shooting in P mode and try A, Tv, or M. If you use M, then the metering CAN'T affect the outcome and you should be able to continue using the camera.

rjriggins11 Loc: Colorado Springs, CO

To be honest with you, due to the age of the camera, you may want to consider replacement. Don't get me wrong, I hate turning down work but this may just be the tio of the iceberg with more trouble to follow. I still have some 20D parts left in stock if you'd like to try. A shutter replacement would run about $100. That includes a full repair and general service.

Tom29520 wrote:

My concern is that it will cost more to fix than the body is worth. I've attached a screen shot of the File Explorer page, showing how the exposure comes and goes. These are in the sequence shot, with camera on tripod, same lighting, same settings, just moving people in and out of the picture. Some worked, some half-worked, many lost. No chance to reshoot, so it's probably time to move up to a used 40D.

jdubu Loc: San Jose, CA

Tom29520 wrote:

Some worked, some half-worked, many lost. No chance to reshoot, so it's probably time to move up to a used 40D.

You will find on this forum and elsewhere, if you shoot long enough, you will realize the maxim of having a backup for your equipment... batteries, flash, lens and cameras. is a maxim for a reason.

Especially if you are taking paid assignments.
Especially if you are replacing with used equipment and you don't know the history of that camera. Even a high end point and shoot would have saved your session.

Sounds like the 20D is not worth repairing, unless RJRiggins can help keep the cost down. Maybe get the 40D and still repair the 20D to use as a backup.

You should also check KEH, they have many Canon bodies for sale and their condition rating system is comparable to B&H and Adorama.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

I've seen this before. We had over 350 20D bodies at Herff Jones Photography. When this happens, there could be a big repair bill in sight.

Possibly time to move onwards and upwards. Or not

You COULD remove the clock battery, the main battery, and the lens, then clean the contacts on the lens mount and on the back of the lens with alcohol, and try again... Be sure the clock battery is fresh, because if it isn't, wEiRd things happen.

You will have to reset time, date, and a few other things after changing the clock battery. A thorough scrolling through all menus is in order...