Canon 7D stopped working: I went out on a real estate shoot and took some outside shots in the rain that was just a drizzle. Then my camera's exposure adjustment stopped working. It...

canon Lee

I went out on a real estate shoot and took some outside shots in the rain that was just a drizzle. Then my camera's exposure adjustment stopped working. It took about 3/4 of an hour before the camera was working again. I did cover the camera while shooting. I don't think the camera got wet. Just wondering if it was the moisture? My camera has worked perfectly since then. Does this mean that I can no longer use this camera for any shots outside when its wet, drizzling or moist? Any suggestions. I have a shoot tomorrow which is suppose to be a wet day, and yesterday I went to the shoot and shot the outside of the house because it was a sunny day.. Just covering my bases till I know what's going on with my camera during wet days.

markngolf Loc: Bridgewater, NJ

canon Lee wrote:

I went out on a real estate shoot and took some ou... (show quote)

I'd call and ask Canon.
Mark

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

canon Lee wrote:

I went out on a real estate shoot and took some ou... (show quote)

You indicated "my camera's exposure adjustment stopped working. " Can you be a little more specific about the problem? Many of the features, buttons, and dials on that camera can adjust exposure. Which control failed to work?
It could be the moisture, or the weather could just have been a coincidence. For instance it could also have been an intermittent failure of the control you were using or an intermittent main board issue, or a memory glitch. No way of being certain without a diagnostic and even then it might not identify the issue.

LFingar Loc: Claverack, NY

Did you pull the lens off to check for any sign of moisture inside the camera? It would seem to me that if you had enough moisture inside the camera to cause an issue with the exposure meter that you would have other problems also. It may not be related to moisture at all.
Here is a method to remove moisture from items: Remove the battery, card, and lens. Leave all the doors and flaps open. In the evening when you are done opening and closing your refrigerator put the camera and an empty, open zip lock bag, big enough to hold the camera, in the refrigerator over night. Don't put the camera in the bag. Refrigerated air is extremely dry and will pull moisture out of just about anything. In the morning, before removing it put it in the bag, seal it, and let it warm up to room temp.
I do wonder if moisture is the problem, but it won't hurt to make sure it is dry inside.

canon Lee

mwsilvers wrote:

You indicated i "my camera's exposure adjust... (show quote)

Hi mwsilvers. what stopped working ( in all modes) was the ability to adjust the aperture and shutter. I had to use my flash to bounce the light to get the correct exposure. within a half hour in the house the camera worked and I was able to control my aperture and shutter. I have shot with this camera for yrs an have never had this happen. I now carry a back up camera.

unlucky2 Loc: Hemet Ca.

check your battery. I have used my 7D in the rain with out a problem. One of the reasons for purchasing the 7d is its' ability in inclement weather. My 7D has died in the middle of an event only to recover later due to a bad battery.

canon Lee

LFingar wrote:

Did you pull the lens off to check for any sign of... (show quote)

Good tip. I have done moist pool shots and went out into the summer air, the only thing that happened was the lens fogged up but within a few minutes it was ok... You can imagine how reeked out I got not to be able to adjust my exposure. LOL

canon Lee

unlucky2 wrote:

check your battery. I have used my 7D in the rain with out a problem. One of the reasons for purchasing the 7d is its' ability in inclement weather. My 7D has died in the middle of an event only to recover later due to a bad battery.

good tip thanks

canon Lee

LFingar wrote:

Did you pull the lens off to check for any sign of... (show quote)

One question. will having the camera in the cold refrigerator harm the camera?

boberic Loc: Quiet Corner, Connecticut. Ex long Islander

canon Lee wrote:

I went out on a real estate shoot and took some ou... (show quote)

Those settings are adjusted by pressing the ISO button on the top right of the camera. Is it possible that moisture from your hand or anything else worked it's way into that button? And when you went inside the "moisture" evaporated? No camera is weather proof. Weather resistant maybe but not proof. On the other hand-this may be the excuse you needed to upgrade.

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

canon Lee wrote:

Hi mwsilvers. what stopped working ( in all modes) was the ability to adjust the aperture and shutter. I had to use my flash to bounce the light to get the correct exposure. within a half hour in the house the camera worked and I was able to control my aperture and shutter. I have shot with this camera for yrs an have never had this happen. I now carry a back up camera.

The top and real dials control aperture and shutter speed. Were both dials malfunctioning? Were both of them temporarily dead and unable to control other functions as well? If both dials continued to work for other functions, and both recovered at the same time my best guess is it wasn't a result of moisture getting past the seals. In my experience, problems caused from moisture entering switches and controls past the seals on Canon EOS bodies will usually disable the control completely, not for just some functionality.

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

canon Lee wrote:

One question. will having the camera in the cold refrigerator harm the camera?

Why would you put your camera in a cold refrigerator? I can think of an issue with that. if the camera is very cold and then placed in a much warmer place it could possibly lead to internal condensation. I don't know this for sure but I suspect its possible.

LFingar Loc: Claverack, NY

canon Lee wrote:

One question. will having the camera in the cold refrigerator harm the camera?

No. Not in the least. Refrigerator temps are above freezing. About 36F to 38F. Warmer then going outside on a winter day. Those Nat Geo photos of Antarctic penguins weren't shot in the Bahamas!
Only concern is to be sure to bag it before removing or moisture will condense on it.

LFingar Loc: Claverack, NY

mwsilvers wrote:

Why would you put your camera in a cold refrigerator? I can think of an issue with that. if the camera is very cold and then placed in a much warmer place it could possibly lead to internal condensation. I don't know this for sure but I suspect its possible.

That is why you place it in a sealed bag until it warms up.

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

LFingar wrote:

No. Not in the least. Refrigerator temps are above freezing. About 36F to 38F. Warmer then going outside on a winter day. Those Nat Geo photos of Antarctic penguins weren't shot in the Bahamas!
Only concern is to be sure to bag it before removing or moisture will condense on it.

I agree.