alexthornephotography Posted March 14, 2009 Share Posted March 14, 2009 <p>I was doing a shoot yesterday when I got several shots that looked like the one posted below. My shutter speed for all the shots was 1/250 sec. I was shooting with Alien Bees lights. I would say out of about 150 shots, 13 where like this. I don't think I'm close to 100,000 shutter cycles which is what the 30D is rated at. I guess I should try slowing the shutter speed down to see if the situation improves. If this is an issue with the camera, does anyone know what Canon would charge to fix it.</p> <p>I've got another shoot on Monday and hopefully by slowing the shutter speed this issue won't be a problem.</p> <p>Any thoughts?</p> <p>Thanks guys.</p><div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aperryproductions Posted March 14, 2009 Share Posted March 14, 2009 <p>It's also possible one of your lights didn't fire for those several shots.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keith reeder Posted March 14, 2009 Share Posted March 14, 2009 <blockquote> <p>I don't think I'm close to 100,000 shutter cycles which is what the 30D is rated at.</p> </blockquote> <p>Alex, I've had two 30D shutters fail - one went at about 5000 actuations, and the other in a body that I'd bought brand new a week before.</p> <p>The 100,000 figure isn't a guarantee, it's simply an average - "Mean Time before Failure" to be precise - and some shutters get beyond 200,000: if one fails at 200,000 and another fails at its first actuation, you've still got a 100,000 average.</p> <p>Since getting the first body's shutter replaced under warranty, and the second body replaced by the shop, both are going strong: but the fact is, shutters can fail at any time.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
picturesque Posted March 14, 2009 Share Posted March 14, 2009 <p>With studio lights, the recommendation is 1/125th and slower. Your shutter may just not be clearing the frame. Also, if trigger batteries are weak, you will see more of the shutter blades in the frame. Slow your shutter with the Alien Bees and put fresh batteries in your triggers. I doubt it is your shutter, but it is possible.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexthornephotography Posted March 14, 2009 Author Share Posted March 14, 2009 <p>I'll slow down the shutter speed and see if that makes a difference. I've been using this setup and shooting at 1/250th for about a year now and this is the first time this has happened. (Yesterday was Friday the 13th, and I had other strange things going on with my computer as well so who know.)<br> I've never seen this issue manifest itself just shooting in available light. My lights are triggered by light from the one strobe that is connected to the camera. So I don't think low batteries are an issue, unless there is a battery inside the Alien Bees that I don't know about. We'll see how the shoot on Monday goes. </p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexthornephotography Posted March 14, 2009 Author Share Posted March 14, 2009 <p>Well, tested the camera using 1/125th and about every 10th to 15th shot got similar results to the photo posted above. Guess I'll be sending it off to Canon to get it serviced. </p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexthornephotography Posted March 14, 2009 Author Share Posted March 14, 2009 <p>I just did some test shots @ 1/4000th and didn't see this issue, so why is it only happening with my studio light? Any thoughts anyone?</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
picturesque Posted March 14, 2009 Share Posted March 14, 2009 <p>What flash are you using on the camera and what flash metering are you using--ETTL or manual flash? If you are triggering the Alien Bees by their optical slaves, that would imply you are using the on camera flash in manual flash mode, because you can't use it in ETTL that way. The pre flash will set off the Alien Bees prematurely.</p> <p>When you did the test using 1/4000th, was your flash on the camera on? If so, you must have had it on high speed sync or it would not have let you use such a high shutter speed unless the flash in not a Canon or ETTL flash.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexthornephotography Posted March 14, 2009 Author Share Posted March 14, 2009 <p>Nadine,<br /> The camera is set to M. I'm using a sync cord to attach the camera to one of the Alien Bees units, which triggers the other two lights. For the test at 1/4000th, (and also did one at 1/8000) I was doing it with available lighting just to see if I could match the effect. Nothing.</p> <p>Also, I've taken shots with the onboard flash and my Speedlite 430 EX and every few shots it looks as if the shutter isn't syncing with flash, so I do get a very under exposed shot. But, its not like the shots with the Alien Bees where one side of the picture is darker then the other. So, something is up with the camera syncing with the flash - with two different results.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
picturesque Posted March 14, 2009 Share Posted March 14, 2009 <p>Well for the shots using the on board flash and 430EX, things are not working out because the pre flash (ETTL) is firing the non PC corded flashes prematurely. So one thing--do not mix an ETTL flash--the 430EX and on board flash--with non ETTL flashes (Alien Bees) UNLESS the ETTL flash is on manual flash mode, which lets the on board flash out, because it can't be controlled in manual flash mode.</p> <p>So test the Alien Bees again (with sync cord to camera PC), but using 1/125th and then 1/60th and going slower each time.</p> <p>I'm betting it isn't the shutter going bad, which is why the ambient light shots show no problems.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dan_grosz Posted March 14, 2009 Share Posted March 14, 2009 <p>Sounds like it could be camera firmware related. Try to re-initialize all the camera settings to default and if that doesn't work re-load the operating system. </p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexthornephotography Posted March 14, 2009 Author Share Posted March 14, 2009 <p>Nadine,<br> Guess I'm not communicating clearly. I'm not using any other flashes with the Alien Bees. The shots with the onboard flash and 430 are different shots, not with the Alien Bees, and getting a slightly different result. </p> <p>Dan,<br> How do I go about re-loading the operating system? Thanks, and hope that is the issue.</p> <p>Alex</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
picturesque Posted March 15, 2009 Share Posted March 15, 2009 <p>Aha... Well, I'd still test with the flashes (Alien Bees) down to 1/60th, 1/30th, etc., just to see if the issue clears up.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mbkissel Posted March 15, 2009 Share Posted March 15, 2009 <p>I'm grasping at straws here, Alex, but is it possible you were outshooting the Alien Bees' recycle time? Is one slower than the other?</p> <p>On a somewhat related issue, I recently had an XTi that suddenly stopped syncing with either the onboard or external flash. The flash was definitely firing on both, but exposures were uniformly dark, not like the light/dark example you posted. I tried everything to remedy the cause, but to no avail. Finally just purchased a XSi as a replacement.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexthornephotography Posted March 15, 2009 Author Share Posted March 15, 2009 <p>Mark I don't think so. The light on the left, when looking at the photo above, was the one that was attached to the camera and all the other lights are triggered off of that one. The shot gets gradually darker, rather then being completely underexposed, which means there's something else going on.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexthornephotography Posted March 15, 2009 Author Share Posted March 15, 2009 <p>I reloaded the firmware as suggested and it didn't fix the problem. So, if there isn't anything anyone else here can think of, I'll be sending the camera off to Canon for a fix on Tuesday.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mbkissel Posted March 16, 2009 Share Posted March 16, 2009 <p>I'm out of ideas, Alex. I'd be interested in hearing about the resolution of the problem, as well as its cause. I've not sent my XTi in for repair as yet, but may do so to keep as a back up.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benbangerter Posted March 16, 2009 Share Posted March 16, 2009 <p>To determine if shutter or mirror malfunction is the problem, you need to eliminate flash lighting. Take a few shots outdoors in daylight at various shutter speeds. If the problem occurs there, blame shutter/mirror. Otherwise...</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexthornephotography Posted March 16, 2009 Author Share Posted March 16, 2009 <p>I've done that already, no issues without the flash.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexthornephotography Posted March 24, 2009 Author Share Posted March 24, 2009 <p>Here's a partial update. I got my camera back from Canon's Jamesburg, NJ Factory Service Center. Total cost was $201.00 for service and Labor. IT DOESN'T WORK! I don't understand how Canon could send me back my camera without testing it. It's actually worse then when I sent it. That's just unacceptable Canon. </p> <p>It's being sent back for further service. So that's at least another week without a camera. </p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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