Camera help needed

the bear II wrote:
I had a professional video business for over 30 years. About every 3-5 years my video cameras would begin to have what looked like a blur to the videos. I tried having the cameras cleaned by the factory but the problem wouldn't go away. This happened with 3 different cameras over the years. I ended up replacing the cameras.

My guess is the sensors/electronics get out of alignment due to age and use.

However, Cannon replaced everything in mine for free. It is hetter than my new Minolta camera now.

Are you shooting in full auto mode (green box)?
Or in aperture (Av) or shutter (Tv) priority? Or?

Is your lens set to autofocus, or manual focus?
Do your lenses have image stabilization? Is it turned on?
Does it do the same despite which lens is on the camera?

If you think the exposure time might be too long, then try shutter (Tv) priority and set it to at least 1/80 of a second. Higher, if possible, say 1/125 or more.

Check your ISO setting too. Is it at 100, or 1600, or? If you have it set too high, the images might appear noisy or blurry.

Has the camera been dropped or taken a hard bang?
What about the lens that is on it, has it been dropped recently?

scbwr wrote:

mabynack wrote:
You probably need to clean the autofocus sensor. Also try cleaning your lenses. I always keep a UV filter on my lenses and replace them about once a year. It's a lot cheaper to replace the filter than the lens.

Why do you need to replace the UV filter?? Isn't taking them off periodically and cleaning all you need to do. I use UV filters on my lenses but certainly don't need to replace them. I'm just curious...don't mean to imply anything but that.

It's personal preference. Could be the thought that the UV filter becomes scratched with time and it's better to replace it, or that after X number of cleanings, it gets a bit fuzzy, etc., that additional cleaning can't correct. There are more opinions on UV filters than there are on dogs in campgrounds.

The diopter would make you THINK everything is out of focus, but as long as you are using auto-focus, the camera would take a clear photo. The diopter would only affect the photo if you are using manual focusing - because you're telling the camera what to use for settings based on the blurry image you're seeing due to the diopter.

If the lens is dirty enough to affect the photo to that extent, then the camera would have a difficult time locking focus to take the photo in the first place.

As others suggested - try different lenses on the camera to see if the problem repeats. If it only does it with the one lens, then that lens is the problem. If it does the same with them all, then the camera is the problem.

It could be something got jarred inside and is out of position.

1. Have you tried to take a few shots that are manually focused and see if they come out sharp? Use a tripod if possible. If you can't get a manual focus shot to work, there's got to be a some internal problem (if all contacts are clean).

2. Have more than one lens? If so, does the problem occur with each lens.

3. Clean contacts on all lenses and camera body.

4. Does the problem occur when using every mode: P M A S??

5. If you've cleaned all contacts, and the problem exists irregardless of what mode you use or lens, than it's time to send it in to Canon.

Or....there's some great new cameras on the market!!!!

mabynack wrote:
You probably need to clean the autofocus sensor. Also try cleaning your lenses. I always keep a UV filter on my lenses and replace them about once a year. It's a lot cheaper to replace the filter than the lens.

Why do you need to replace the UV filter?? Isn't taking them off periodically and cleaning all you need to do. I use UV filters on my lenses but certainly don't need to replace them. I'm just curious...don't mean to imply anything but that.

Are you focusing manually? If so, you may have moved your diopter adjustment and don't know it. It is used to focus what you see through the viewfinder.

Is it out of focus with all lenses or just one? It could be a lens problem.

Usually, it is camera shake when hand holding at lower than optimal shutter speeds.

I have an 11 year old 300D that still works great and without problems...

If you change lenses frequently perhaps some dust has been introduced to the CMOS sensor. You could be right that it needs a good cleaning.

You probably need to clean the autofocus sensor. Also try cleaning your lenses. I always keep a UV filter on my lenses and replace them about once a year. It's a lot cheaper to replace the filter than the lens.

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