topic Re: Help- eos t3i not working in EOS DSLR & Mirrorless Cameras

Help- eos t3i not working

pcasner — Fri, 18 Oct 2019 01:18:52 GMT

I have a Canon EOS T3 I. Yes, I know it's old but has been my faith camera for photographing my children's sports activities. I took pictures last Friday night at my sons football game and on Tuesday I went to use it for a soccer game and it would not take a picture. The LCD screen is black so I have no menus. It attempts to focus but will not take a picture and will eventuallyIndicate that it's busy. I have swapped out batteries. I have swapped out camera cards. I have swapped lenses with no success. The only thing that it does is when I turn it on I get one red flash of the light down in the lower right corner of the camera body. My son has a game tomorrow night and I really need to figure out what's wrong and if I can use this camera.

Re: Help- eos t3i not working

Waddizzle — Fri, 18 Oct 2019 11:06:02 GMT

@pcasner wrote:
I have a Canon EOS T3 I. Yes, I know it's old but has been my faith camera for photographing my children's sports activities. I took pictures last Friday night at my sons football game and on Tuesday I went to use it for a soccer game and it would not take a picture. The LCD screen is black so I have no menus. It attempts to focus but will not take a picture and will eventuallyIndicate that it's busy. I have swapped out batteries. I have swapped out camera cards. I have swapped lenses with no success. The only thing that it does is when I turn it on I get one red flash of the light down in the lower right corner of the camera body. My son has a game tomorrow night and I really need to figure out what's wrong and if I can use this camera.

The single flash of the LED when you power up is a good sign. That is normal. Make sure the camera is not in Movie Mode or Live View mode. If you set the lens switch to [MF] does it take a photo?

I take it that pressing [MENU] or [INFO] does not change the rear display. Does the display remain blank if you press [Q] button? If you press the playback button, does it show you any images that you have previously taken?

If your display is still blank, then your camera may be faulty.

https://shop.usa.canon.com/shop/en/catalog/cameras/refurbished-eos-interchangeable-lens-cameras

It might be time for a T6 or a T7 replacement camera. Unfortunately, you may not have a functioning camera in your hands in time for the game.

Re: Help- eos t3i not working

MikeSowsun — Fri, 18 Oct 2019 16:20:46 GMT

I rarely recommend anyone buying Canon’s budget T6 , T7 (2000D) or T100 (4000D) cameras because I feel they are missing too many important features:

1) NO infrared wireless remote

2) NO touchscreen LCD screen

3) NO articulating LCD screen

4) NO self cleaning sensor

5) NO external microphone jack

6) NO center contact on flash hot shoe (T7 T100 4000D)

7) NO speaker for video playback (T100 4000D)

😎 NO continuous AF in video mode

Additionally, they are often bundled with the EF-S 18-55 III which has NO Image Stabilization.

When all these missing features are added up I feel it easily justifies the extra cost of the T6i or T7i.

Re: Help- eos t3i not working

ebiggs1 — Fri, 18 Oct 2019 15:15:46 GMT

"...missing features are added up I feel it easily justifies the extra cost of the T6i or T7i."

I basically agree with that. The only reason not to is you simply have to buy the lowest cost camera you can. Because any camera is better than no camera.

The situation you currently find yourself in probably means you need to consider buying a new camera. You know you need not buy a lens although some Canon camera/lens packages are to good to not get a lens with it. Any money spent on a repair, if th eT3i is still serviceable, could be applied toward a more current more features camera.

Re: Help- eos t3i not working

ebiggs1 — Fri, 18 Oct 2019 15:20:17 GMT

"I took pictures last Friday night at my sons football game and on Tuesday I went to use it for a soccer game and it would not take a picture."

It is not likely that a working T3i broke itself while sitting in a bag or sitting on a shelf, table, desk or somewhere. Was there any issues? No drops or bangs against something? No water even just splashed on it?

You might try a new SD card. A new battery and/or charger. Call Canon 1 (800) 652-2666

Re: Help- eos t3i not working

John_ — Fri, 18 Oct 2019 17:24:14 GMT

Short of buying another camera I would agree that you should try a new battery or charger or a different SD card. Will it turn on without the SD card inserted? If so go for a new card first.

Re: Help- eos t3i not working

pcasner — Fri, 18 Oct 2019 17:45:09 GMT

Thank you, I have tried all 3 batteries and nothing. I plan to look at it again this afternoon. New battery charger is on the way because if I remove a battery and put it right back in, it is yellow again. Trying process of elimination.

Re: Help- eos t3i not working

pcasner — Fri, 18 Oct 2019 20:08:50 GMT

Tried different camera cards and no camera card at all. No luck. New charger on its way.

Re: Help- eos t3i not working

pcasner — Fri, 18 Oct 2019 20:09:59 GMT

Trying to hold out until Black Friday for a 90d. Just need this one to keep working for a month or so.

Re: Help- eos t3i not working

pcasner — Fri, 18 Oct 2019 20:13:08 GMT

Thanks for all the recommendations for new camera guys. I am aware of the features that mine may lack compared to the new ones but I am trying to fix this one right now. I need it a little bit longer. So if you have any suggestions for fixing this one please share them with me. Thanks

Re: Help- eos t3i not working

John_ — Fri, 18 Oct 2019 20:26:34 GMT

Well then let's hope the new charger gets you going! One last idea, have you looked inside the battery compartment to see if the battery contacts inside are clean and not damaged? Some alcohol on a Q-tip can be used to clean those. Also, check the charger too.

Re: Help- eos t3i not working

Waddizzle — Fri, 18 Oct 2019 22:48:36 GMT

@pcasner wrote:
Trying to hold out until Black Friday for a 90d. Just need this one to keep working for a month or so.

YES! We will excuse you, and look the other way, if you use your cell phone until the camera might go on sale.

Re: Help- eos t3i not working

Waddizzle — Fri, 18 Oct 2019 22:53:56 GMT

@pcasner wrote:
Thanks for all the recommendations for new camera guys. I am aware of the features that mine may lack compared to the new ones but I am trying to fix this one right now. I need it a little bit longer. So if you have any suggestions for fixing this one please share them with me. Thanks

A used replacement is far cheaper than a repair. If you want a 90D .... [. Woo Hoo, turning cartwheels .} ... go with the cell phone, or look for a temporary used body at KEH dot com, or somewhere.

Buy the 90D from a reputable online dealer like B&H, or direct from Canon in the Online Store. There are other very reputable dealers out there, but I have never used them. I have just never had reason to change.

Re: Help- eos t3i not working

pcasner — Sat, 19 Oct 2019 14:19:09 GMT

Thank you, everybody! I borrowed a friends camera body for last night's game. So glad I did. Game was awesome and my son's team won 52-22. But getting back to the camera issue. So I put my normal camera card in my friend's camera and her camera would not turn on either. Tried another, no luck. Went home and got my old wifi card, put it in and it worked for the game. Got home last night with everything and put the card in my camera, it works. So in addition to the new charger coming, I am throwing out the other camera cards and buying a stock of new ones today. I'm still not convinced that the charger wasn't also an issue so I will keep the new one when it arrives. Thank you all for your help and suggestions. Going to keep my eye out for the 90d anyway. Hopefully I will find a deal on Black Friday. Have a great weekend.

Re: Help- eos t3i not working

ebiggs1 — Sat, 19 Oct 2019 16:01:50 GMT

"...put the card in my camera, it works."