topic Re: Mostly black photos, only upper portion visible in EOS DSLR & Mirrorless Cameras

Mostly black photos, only upper portion visible

ACorral — Tue, 24 Dec 2013 05:07:50 GMT

I just bought a Rebel T3 out of the box (not the T3i). Unfortunately, all the photos are completely black except at the top where the photo shows the top of my intended shots. I formatted the memory card on the normal & low settings, & followed the setup procedures in the manual as instructed. Furthermore, it happens with both the viewfinder & the LCD monitor display, & the photos appear as described on my computer when I removed the memory card from the camera. Did I miss something? Any suggestions? Thank you.

Re: Mostly black photos, only upper portion visible

amfoto1 — Tue, 24 Dec 2013 05:51:02 GMT

Are you using flash?

If so, it might be an incorrect sync speed (probably 1/200 is the fastest shutter speed possible to use, but I don't have T3 to check). Even if the sync speed is correct, it's possible to block part of the flash with the lens or a lens hood... even a finger in the wrong place.

If not using flash, then it sounds as if there might be a fault with the shutter in your camera. Did you buy it locally at a store? Can you take it back to them and have them test it, exchange it if necessary? Many stores will do an exchange if there's a problem with a camera immediately... within the first few days, perhaps a week or two. It's also often possible to exchange if bought online... depending upon the seller. Just not as convenient as a local purchase.

If the store won't do an exchange, you may need to send the camera in to Canon Service, to be checked, repaired or replaced. It's under warranty for a year typically, at a minimum (unless it was a "gray market" purchase, in which case you'll have to deal with the store).

Hope this helps!

***********
Alan Myers

San Jose, Calif., USA
"Walk softly and carry a big lens."
GEAR: 5DII, 7D(x2), 50D(x3), some other cameras, various lenses & accessories
FLICKR & PRINTROOM

Re: Mostly black photos, only upper portion visible

TCampbell — Tue, 24 Dec 2013 05:59:10 GMT

As Alan says -- what you are describing sounds a lot like you were using flash with a shutter speed faster than the max shutter sync speed for your camera.

If you want, post an example (with the EXIF data included) and we can help you diagnose it.

Re: Mostly black photos, only upper portion visible

ScottyP — Tue, 24 Dec 2013 15:29:14 GMT

That happened to me once and I realized my Speedlite flash has slid back in the mounting shoe and wasn't making full electrical contact with the camera so it was allowing the camera to use a flash speed faster than the max sync speed. I slid it back in properly and that ended the problem.

Re: Mostly black photos, only upper portion visible

ACorral — Tue, 24 Dec 2013 16:41:32 GMT

Thank you to all of you. At Tim´s suggestion, I attached some photos of my Christmas tree this year with EXIF data included (I hope). I attached photos taken in: ¨No flash mode¨, ¨Auto mode¨ (flash used), & ¨Manual mode¨.

I don´t believe its the flash since I get the same results with & without using the flash. Thankfully, I bought it locally yesterday & I still have the receipt.

Re: Mostly black photos, only upper portion visible

cicopo — Tue, 24 Dec 2013 16:54:59 GMT

That may be a bad shutter.

Re: Mostly black photos, only upper portion visible

ColinGlover — Fri, 27 Dec 2013 00:51:06 GMT

Looks similar to synch speed, but that usually gives half an image. If you're using an external flashgun, take it off and try without. What mode are you using?

Re: Mostly black photos, only upper portion visible

ACorral — Fri, 27 Dec 2013 17:04:11 GMT

Thank you everybody. The retailer replaced the camera; it turned out to be the shutter. The first one was the display one, so I figured one of the customers messing with it must have broken something.

Re: Mostly black photos, only upper portion visible

gottheshot — Sat, 08 Feb 2014 17:54:31 GMT

It probably is caused by you shutter speed exceeding the maximum speed for flash syncronization.