5Dii View Finder Focus Problem: When I look through the view finder it looks like looking through the lens, all I can see is a hole the size of the aperture. You can see the subject...

Old Timer Loc: Greenfield, In.

When I look through the view finder it looks like looking through the lens, all I can see is a hole the size of the aperture.
You can see the subject just through the opening only not full view through view finder, live view shows alright, but does not focus properly.
At first the mirror was down and you could see it also across the opening. I have cleaned contact on lens, turned of live view, deleted all camera settings. When I manually change the f. stop it shows up in the view finder. When changing f. stop by the camera it does not seem to change. I have shut it of and let it set and the same results. One time it did work alright for a few snaps then it was back to the same problem. It does not focus in live view or view finder properly in either setting. Any help or suggestions will be appreciated.

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

Old Timer wrote:

When I look through the view finder it looks like ... (show quote)

Does this happen with all lenses? What lenses are you using? Are you new to this camera or if you've had it for a while is this a new problem? Are you by any chance using a crop lens on your full frame camera?

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

Old Timer wrote:

When I look through the view finder it looks like ... (show quote)

Do you have a crop sensor lens mounted? Sure sounds that way.

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

MT Shooter wrote:

Do you have a crop sensor lens mounted? Sure sounds that way.

Yep, that's what I asked as well.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

mwsilvers wrote:

Yep, that's what I asked as well.

I see that now, I think I only read the first part of your post.

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

MT Shooter wrote:

I see that now, I think I only read the first part of your post.

He said it was all right for a few snaps before going bad again, but with a crop zoom some focal lengths will likely have more obvious vignetting than others. I asked him for lens info but so far no response.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

mwsilvers wrote:

He said it was all right for a few snaps, but with a crop zoom some focal lengths will likely have more obvious vignetting than others. I asked him for lens info but so far no response.

Yes, many crop sensor zooms cover a FF sensor when zoomed to the long end, but not on the wide end. My thought was he took a couple shoots on the long end then zoomed back and got the vignetting. I have customers do that often and sometimes the only way to get them to understand is to actually show them the effect.

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

MT Shooter wrote:

Yes, many crop sensor zooms cover a FF sensor when zoomed to the long end, but not on the wide end. My thought was he took a couple shoots on the long end then zoomed back and got the vignetting. I have customers do that often and sometimes the only way to get them to understand is to actually show them the effect.

I'm guessing he might have a Sigma or Tamron crop zoom lens which has a Canon EF mount unlike Canon's proprietary EFs mounts. It sure wouldn't be the first time someone mounted a crop lens on a Canon FF body. Either that or he has an old film manual lens with manual aperture control but no electronics. But I'm still not sure how that would cause the problem he's describing

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

mwsilvers wrote:

I'm guessing he might have a Sigma or Tamron crop zoom lens which has a Canon EF mount unlike Canon's proprietary EFs mounts. It sure wouldn't be the first time someone mounted a crop lens on a Canon FF body. Either that or he has an old film manual lens with manual aperture control but no electronics. But I'm still not sure how that would cause the problem he's describing

The old MF film lens would not do that. Looks like we all have to wait for the OP to reply.

Old Timer Loc: Greenfield, In.

I have tried three different lens all lens that are for full frame. The one I had on at the time was the 100 2.8 macro. It seems to be that the aperture is not changing properly. The lens that I have tried are all ef lens not efs and are Canon lens. The lens that I have tried are the ones that I have been using and used Saturday. I have cleared all settings and even have live view disabled. I have come to the conclusion that I have some thing wrong and will have to send it to repair shop. It has about 64,000 activations.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

Old Timer wrote:

I have tried three different lens all lens that ar... (show quote)

Please post a sample picture showing your problem, that may be the only way to figure this out. Even a malfunctioning aperture should not cause vignetting.

Old Timer Loc: Greenfield, In.

I can not get good picture to post. As I tried to explain it is as I look through the view finder that it is just a small hole. You do not see the scene as you would normally. It is like looking through a lens backward. just a small circle opening and you can manually open or close the aperture and opening will change size. The picture I have tried to take are full pictures but they are over exposed or not clear. After breakfast I will try again and see if I can get a picture to attach.

PGHphoto Loc: Pittsburgh, PA

Old Timer wrote:

I can not get good picture to post. As I tried to explain it is as I look through the view finder that it is just a small hole. You do not see the scene as you would normally. It is like looking through a lens backward. just a small circle opening and you can manually open or close the aperture and opening will change size. The picture I have tried to take are full pictures but they are over exposed or not clear. After breakfast I will try again and see if I can get a picture to attach.

Certainly sounds strange ! How are you changing the aperture manually ? It doesn't sound like an EF lens since as others already suggested, the aperture shouldn't cause vignetting. Also as previously identified, zoom lens made for a crop sensor will cause a circle to appear in the viewfinder. But even that shouldn't be so small that you couldn't see the subject unless you are using a 4/3 lens with an adapter for a full frame camera. I don't think they even make such an adapter. I know Sigma lenses designated as DC are for crop sensors and DG is used for full frame. Unlike Canon lenses, the Sigma crop sensor lenses will fit onto a full frame body.

One question - are you using an extension tube or an extender on the lens ?

I would encourage you to take a picture even with the 'small hole' and post it. It could help in identifying the cause.

Leitz Loc: Solms

Old Timer wrote:

After breakfast I will try again and see if I can get a picture to attach.

No dedicated photographer could possibly think of eating when their camera is malfunctioning!!

speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho

Old Timer wrote:

I can not get good picture to post. As I tried to explain it is as I look through the view finder that it is just a small hole. You do not see the scene as you would normally. It is like looking through a lens backward. just a small circle opening and you can manually open or close the aperture and opening will change size. The picture I have tried to take are full pictures but they are over exposed or not clear. After breakfast I will try again and see if I can get a picture to attach.

Just say what lens you're using!