Canon Rebel T6i - Black Images - CCD Sensor?

[DeeDraV]

In a few hours of research I believe I have a CCD sensor problem and I am looking for advice. Camera is 4 years old and went from good pictures to blaack photos.  Shutter is working, removed battery, changed SD card, reverted back to factory settings and still black images.  If this is a sensor problem would you send in to fix? Fix yourself if you can find parts or get a new camera.  I'm bummed.  I have had to Canon and I love theem but first one lasted 7 years and now this one only 4 without a problem. Any feedback would be helpful!

[shadowsports]

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@DeeDraV wrote:

Yes, tried that too.  Starting to research new cameras now 😞 Seems a 4 year old camera is now really old!  

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If you go the new camera route, I'd suggest a T8i (at minimum) or an R10 or R7 if budget allows.

[DeeDraV]

Yes looking at the T8i seems like a smart option is I want similar ease of use. I assume the R10 and R7 might be more complicated?

[deebatman316]

They function similar to the Rebel T8i. They also add a secondary control wheel on the back. Called the "Quick Control wheel". The quick control wheel can be found on Canon's mid range and pro camera bodies. The R series can focus better in low and low contrast situations. One thing to note is the R7 does have a built-in flash. So if you regularly use flash you will need to look into an external speedlite (flash). The R10 has a built-in flash like your current Digital Rebel.

[DeeDraV]

Thanks much!  I apprecite the advice!

[deebatman316]

Also note EOS R series cameras use a different lens mount. They use the RF Mount. EOS APS-C DSLR cameras such as the T6i use the EF/ EF-S lens mount. So you'll need an adapter to use your existing EF or EF-S lenses. If you move to an EOS R series mirrorless camera. 

[Tronhard]

Your sensor is not a CCD, it's a CMOS! 🙂  That said, it sadly looks like the camera sensor have failed.  Given its age, it would be better to get a new camera, and if you go mirrorless you will get a lot of new features, particularly in terms of autofocus, dynamic range etc.

It would be helpful to know what lenses  you shoot with - it the lenses are fairly decent you want to be able to continue using them.  As I understand it, you are shooting a fairly wide range of subjects: "outdoor sports photos and lots of candid and portraits", then continuing with a crop sensor camera like the EOS R7 or R10 would likely be the best fit.

Given you have a budget of up to $1,000, then the R10 is the most likely candidate.  You will need a Canon EF-RF adapter to be able to use your existing lenses with the new body.

If you want to sell your existing lenses, then you might be able to afford one of the Canon RF lenses that offer in-body Image Stabilization and fast focus.  My pick of those would be the RF 24-240 IS STM, and you would save money by not needing an adapter. While this is designed for a full-frame camera, it has the widest focal range and might allow you to have one lens to do it all.

For a Review of the EOS R10 see: Canon EOS R10 in-depth review: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

For video reviews of the RF 24-240 see:
Canon RF 24-240mm review SUPER-ZOOM for EOS R! - YouTube
Canon RF 24-240mm F4-6.3 IS Definitive Review | 4K - YouTube
This lens uses software to get the very wide range and some comments don't recognize that for JPGs all the corrections are made in camera, while RAW images are now automatically corrected in post-production software.

Here are a couple of images taken with the RF 24-240:
R6, Rf 24-105STM@ 24mm, f/6.3, 1/80sec, ISO-250R6, RF 24-240mm@50mm, f/6.3, 1/4sec, ISO-250R6 RF 24-240@ 50mm, f/6.3, 1/2sec, ISO-250R5, RF 24-240@240mm, f/7.1, 1/640sec, ISO-200