Diagonal Black Stripe Across Photographs: Canon EOS 70D Camera

[Canarsie]

Greetings,

After 11.5 years and many thousands of photographs with my trusted Canon EOS 70D camera which I purchased new, a diagonal black stripe started to appear across every photograph with a white strip at the bottom.

I took off the lens and lifted up the mirror; and this is what I saw...

When I was able to push that black strip back up, I was able to take a photograph as normal — but the black strip returned to its diagonal position across the shutter.

Nothing unusual occurred when this started happening. I did not drop the camera or did anything out of the ordinary; so I am uncertain as to what caused this to happen.

What could be the problem? Can it be repaired? Do I need to purchase a new camera?

Thank you in advance.

[Peter · Accepted solution]

Time to upgrade. That is a broken shutter blade and it will cost you more to repair the camera than to buy a used 70D.

[Canarsie]

Thank you, Peter.

I guess the next question is what to upgrade to: better EOS SLR? Mirrorless?

[LeeP]

Definitely mirrorless. Canon has very affordable mirrorless EVF SLR-style cameras with crop sensors--or full-frame with the R8--that are reasonably priced. Grab a Canon EF/RF mount converter and enjoy life. I switched to mirrorless 2 years ago and am very happy.

[stevet1]

Canarsie,

You wrote, "I guess the next question is what to upgrade to: better EOS SLR? Mirrorless?"

That's something that only you can decide, but i the process, you'll need to start of with the answers to a couple of  basic questions:

1) What kind of budget do you have to spend?; and,

2) Try to visit a camera store, or at least a place that sells camera, like a Best Buy or a Walmart. Don't buy anything. Just pick some up and see how they feel in your hand. How's the ergonomics? Is the grip deep enough for you? Is it too light or too heavy? Are the controls easy to reach?; and,

3) Read up on the differences between DSLR and mirrorless and how they operate. Which do you think you will be most comfortable with?

As Lee said, if you do decide to go mirrorless, and you still want to keep your EF lenses, you can buy a Canon EF-RF adapter for about $125.00

Steve Thomas

[Canarsie]

Thank you, Lee and Steve.

I had been reading up on mirrorless cameras prior to the shutter failure. I appreciate some of the benefits of using an iPhone in the meantime — such as no mirror and lighter weight — and wonder if mirrorless is similar.

One of my biggest concerns is a digital viewfinder. I use my camera mostly for travel photography for my blog. I want to be able to see what I am shooting without the sun making using a digital viewfinder virtually impossible. I would like to have a lightweight camera; and the R7 or R8 seems to be a little lighter than the 70D. I might even go as high as an R6 or R5 if either of them is worth the extra money. Canon currently has a sale — although I might go through a B&H or a Willoughby’s as I did when I lived in New York.

I would like professional features; but it does not need to be an expensive camera like an R1, which is also rather bulky.

Please keep the suggestions and recommendations coming. Thank you in advance.

[ebiggs1]

" That is a broken shutter blade and it will cost you more to repair the camera than to buy a used 70D."

That point is valid but another may be more so, as can it even be repaired. I am sure it is out of service life.  Typically it costs between $300 and $350 to replace one by Canon. The cost can escalate depending on what they find inside, too. A good used 70D isn't worth $300, IMHO.

If you love your 70D and it looks like you do you will love the 90D even more. But you need to pull the trigger quickly if a 90D appeals to you as they are becoming long in the tooth too.

[Canarsie]

I can get a new 90D body for as low as $859 at Willoughby’s — and yes, many features are improved over the 70D, including lighter weight, better battery life, longer shutter expectancy, better sensor resolution and video resolution...

...but the question is: is mirrorless the way to go over a 90D?

[ebiggs1]

"is mirrorless the way to go over a 90D?"

In a word, yes, it is. But sometimes there are other circumstances which make something else more appealing. That decision is yours alone. Plus the fact you have a used camera now so a used 90D might be a possibility and the Canon refurb store is another. Your lens inventory may be a factor although you can use EF/EF-s lenses on a new R series, you really should go RF lenses. If you decide to go R series then go R series.

[LeeP]

"...is mirrorless the way to go over a 90D?"

In a word: yes.

My two cents...

It's not that there is anything "wrong" with a 90D, but more that Canon has moved on from DSLRs and with that movement toward mirrorless cameras with EVF will come less and less repair support for outdated cameras over time.

Granted pocketbook will make the decision, but if you're OK with spending $900 on a used camera, you could put that toward an R-series camera and a Canon EF/RF mount converter.