T3i Images & Video Pink and Grainy... Canon Quotes $200 Repair

Hey guys... my T3i images and video have become grainy and pink discolored, possible hardware damage. This is the first time this has happened and it happened right in the middle of the day when some videos were perfect and then all of a sudden, one video was problematic.

• There were no damages to the camera in that it did not get wet, dropped, temp change, particles, nothing
  
• Did not take direct photos of the sun or otherwise extreme photo sources
  
• Camera has never shown any signs of degradation or otherwise any problems
  
• The Problem: Photos AND videos: Look discolored (mostly reddish/purple hues)
  
• Everything looks bad in the camera LCD display and after downloaded to PC, live and after taking photo
  Troubleshooting steps taken and more info to help:
  
• Flash and no flash
  
• Regular and telephoto lenses ISO from 100 to 3200
  
• Every different auto setting, i.e., M, P, A+, Creative, video, etc, etc....
  
• Indoor/Outdoor Long and short shutter speeds
  
• Using viewfinder and display when taking photo Images look fine if you just look through the glass viewfinder
  
• With and without SD card inserted, images look bad on the LCD
  
• Tried 2 different batteries, near/full charges
  

I couldnt think of anything else to try so I sent it to Canon repair and they quoted me $193 without telling me why or what is wrong. Their reply to my query:

"Repairs for the Rebel T3i have a flash rate and are classified as either standard or major. Based on the problem description provided, and the model, the service center has determined this repair falls under the standard flat rate cost. The flat rate cost includes labor and parts, as well as the return shipping cost."

So my question is, pay this and get it fixed, assuming this will not lead to other problems and it keeps snowballing, or do I just sell this as is or whatever and by a new version of EOS?

Thanks!

What makes you think that this repair will lead to other problems and "keep snowballing"? I mean why not get it fixed, it's only $200, far far less than the cost of a new body.

Selling it isn't going to bring in much money, assuming you're honest about the issues when you post it for sale, so that's not much of a factor. You're going to have to spend a minimum of $200, just to "break even". Buying a new T7i would cost you around $750, a new T61 around $650. So, $450 or more on top of your minimum cost. But, if you're willing to consider a used body from a reputable seller, you could move way up the product line for about $200 more than your minimum. For me, if I'm going to have to spend $200 for no gain, I'd rather spend the additional $200 for a significant gain. It takes a bit more diligence to find the best bang for your buck, and it may come with a ding or a scratch, but it's really no more of a gamble than a brand new one. And the higher models in the product line are supposed to have a lower failure rate.

Think about the T3i and the evolution to the T7i.

Does the T7i have enough new/better functionality than the T3i to be worth upgrading to the T7i? Or even a step down to the T6i?

You need to make a chart of the functions of the T3i, T6i, and T7i, to compare them, function by function, to look for the differences that will make a difference to YOU.

BTW, the kit of T7i + 18-135 is a nice setup.

 

I went through this when I replaced my dead Nikon D70s with the D7200. There was enough functionality increase to be worth spending the $$$$ to upgrade to the D7200, rather than repairing the D70s, where I would still be stuck with the lesser functionality. For me, the biggest single difference was the higher max ISO of the D7200 (25600 on the D7200 vs 1600 on the D70s).

Think about the T3i and the evolution to the T7i.

Does the T7i have enough new/better functionality than the T3i to be worth upgrading to the T7i? Or even a step down to the T6i?

You need to make a chart of the functions of the T3i, T6i, and T7i, to compare them, function by function, to look for the differences that will make a difference to YOU.

BTW, the kit of T7i + 18-135 is a nice setup.

 

I went through this when I replaced my dead Nikon D70s with the D7200. There was enough functionality increase to be worth spending the $$$$ to upgrade to the D7200, rather than repairing the D70s, where I would still be stuck with the lesser functionality. For me, the biggest single difference was the higher max ISO of the D7200 (25600 on the D7200 vs 1600 on the D70s).

 

Is there a chart that I can compare? I was looking thru the canon site and wikpedia and such and couldnt find an easy one.

Is there a chart that I can compare? I was looking thru the canon site and wikpedia and such and couldnt find an easy one.

 

I would make my own using Excel.

I listed only the items that were of relevance to me.

• Like: weight, max ISO, continuous frame rate, pivoting LCD screen, cost, etc.
   
  
• Other stuff that is not relevant (like dimensions, sensor size, battery and memory card) just clutters the chart, so I ignore them.
  
  • Some items are the same for all,
     
    
    • Memory card; they ALL use SD cards, so it become a not relevant item.
      
    • Sensor size; they are all 1.6x crop sensors.
      

    [*]I presume I have to use a different battery, so it is interesting, but not a relevant comparison item.

    [*]I do not shoot video, so that is not a relevant item.

I would get the specs off the Canon site first, then other sites if the item is not on the Canon site.

But note if there is a difference, as either Canon or other sites could have errors on them.

Is there a chart that I can compare? I was looking thru the canon site and wikpedia and such and couldnt find an easy one.

 

Go over to B&H Photo Video Digital Cameras, Photography, Camcorders and select your camera bodies. You can compare up to 4 different models at one time and see the specs laid out side by side... :cool:

Edited October 14, 2017 by PapaTango

Thanks guys!

 

So I am 90% sure I will do this but have a few questions from some of u who may have actually owned some of these:

 

1. Pay the $200 and then sell for hopefully $250 or so with the lens and battery etc.... and maybe the zoom lens also, bec looking into the Canon EF-S 18-135mm, which seems to be a good all around for a lower price and IS which might be important for me when I do some movement videos.
   
2. Buy a SL2 or T7i since video is almost as important to me as photos. Leaning towards the T7i for the additional focal points altho I know that will not really give me a video advantage.
   
3. Deciding between a used or new T7i... I hate buying used equipment that I hold and use in my hand and near my face, just a personal issue... is there any validity to this or is it just in my head? Also if my T3i can go bad after a while, what says a used other model wont also go bad?
   

FYI, I have barely used my T3i in the last 6 year or so. Meaning I can literally remember most of the times I have used it, and its not much at all, I can easily sell it for mint condition, never been nicked, dropped, nothing, and it still went bad.

 

So if I do get the T7i, which I assume IS DEFINITELY an upgrade over the T6i (which I saw a decent deal recently) for video work, I am thinking for now, even though I am strapped, I just use a credit card and suck it up for another $100+ or so.

 

Thanks!

#1 - Is the hassel and time to get the camera repaired, then turning around and the hassel and time to sell it, worth the extra $50?

You need to add the cost of shipping the camera back from Canon to you, to the cost of the repair.

The other question is, can/will you even get $250 for the T3?

 

#3 - The T7i is relatively new, so you may not find easily find a used one.

At least with a new camera, you have the manufacturers+importers warranty. You may not have a warranty with a used camera, if the warranty is not transferable.

Hard to guess. May be just a ribbon cable needing reseated in camera or it was a electronic failure. The labor to disassemble, fix and reassemble, shipping and minor part replacement for around $200-$235 sounds fair. The repair guys have overhead and got to eat too.

 

Your options are what they are. Fix the camera and get what you have. Do you like it? Or use this for an excuse to buy a new camera about 4 versions newer paying full price. Did you ask Canon about a customer loyalty trade in where you can get a break on price of a new camera when you have problems like this. Pretty sure their online store and service used to do things like this.

You can get a replacement T3i kit for $250+. For your use ("I have barely used my T3i in the last 6 year or so. Meaning I can literally remember most of the times I have used it, and its not much at all"), I don't see any reason to upgrade at all, nor even keep a DSLR. Most mirrorless cameras can do as much or more than your T3i for example if you must keep a camera... If you were to buy a nice camera, it is NOT going to mean you will suddenly start using it more. Thats not how it works. It's going to be a nice toy which spends it's life sitting in a closet... Sorry, but putting it on a card that you are paying money to pay off makes zero sense to me. With your use, it's a waste of money (especially as your phone likely fulfills most of your photographic and video needs) IMO.

 

If you feel compelled to 'keep' a camera, given your use, absolutely go with the cheapest route possible. That is probably the $193 repair. For an extra $50 of so, you can pick up a 'new to you' T3i (or perhaps even a generation or two newer). That may be a better choice - especially given your lack of confidence with that particular unit... Either way, IMO, you've no need for the 'latest, greatest'...