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.

[Canarsie]

I literally just bought a new Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS II USM Lens for $500 to replace a similar lens which became too blurry. Although it is a consumer grade lens, I like the overall balance of price, weight, and quality. I see that Canon offer an RF 70-300mm f/4 lens for $1,500 and an RF 100-400mm f/5.6-8 lens for $649. If I bought a mirrorless camera like the R7, are those lenses comparable to the one I have for my 70D — or are there other choices or algorithms I should consider?

Fortunately, the only other lens I have is the base one that came with the camera...

[Canarsie]

You raise a good point about support. Lee.

Willoughby’s claims that the 90D they are selling is new. B&H offers a new one as well for $999. But perhaps I should go the mirrorless route: lighter than the 90D and with more and better features I can use like in-camera focus stacking and the anti-dust shutter mechanism. Willoughby’s offers the body of an R7 for $1,199. I am not sure if any of the cameras they sell are grey market — or whether that even makes a difference.

Pocketbook will ultimately make the decision — but part of that decision is overall value and not necessarily cheapest price. If I get more for my dollar with the R7 than with the D90, that certainly would sway the decision. I need a camera that is best suited for extensive travel.

I have been using cameradecision.com to compare my options...

[LeeP]

The R7 is quite nice indeed. I have an R8 and love it.

If the R7 "calls" you, you will not be disappointed.

I'm also of the mindset with Canon not to buy the bells-and-whistles model, save money, and upgrade after a couple of years because inevitably Canon "migrates down" capacity as they install new capacity at the top.

The R7 has capacity that 5-7 years ago would have been considered Holy Grail. It is a fine camera at a low price (given the features).

I know the R1 is a Godzilla of a camera--if someone gave me one I would be delighted--but Canon will supersede it at some point with a better model and features that are now eclipsed will be bestowed on lower models.

[ebiggs1]

"For the most part all RF lens are upgrades over EF.

Pocketbook will ultimately make the decision — but part of that decision is overall value and not necessarily cheapest price.   Once again, yes, it does. Cheapest price is not always the cheapest.

"Willoughby’s offers the body of an R7 for $1,199. I am not sure if any of the cameras they sell are grey market ..."

I know nothing about Willoughby’s neither good not bad so I can not answer.

"... or whether that even makes a difference."  The truth is all grey market gear is the exact same a s any Canon gear.

The problem is how it is packaged and what accessories that many come with it. But most of all there will be no USA warranty or USA support so you are basically on your own or at the favor of the store "Willoughby’s in this case for service or tech  support. Personally I never buy any Canon grey market gear. Canon USA has been too good to me over the years (decades) to ever buy anything else.

[LeeP]

"Personally I never buy any Canon grey market gear. Canon USA has been too good to me over the years (decades) to ever buy anything else."

I agree.

I can't fathom why anyone would give up a warranty to save a few bucks. If grey market cameras were new and half the price, then maaaaaaybe I'd gamble because who wouldn't want an R1 for half the price? But they aren't enough cheaper--for me at least--and I firmly believe that if I were to gamble on not having a warranty that I would lose.

Another question I would have would be how were the grey market cameras imported and stored? I would assume that Canon would import their inventory in such a way that they would be sufficiently protected from potential damage, rather that being stored in the back of a semi trailer in Phoenix during summer.

I have no knowledge of Willoughby's but the fact that Canon mirrorless cameras are organized under "DSLRs" is odd.

I trust B&H for a reason.

[rs-eos]

Willoughby's is not on Canon's authorized dealer list, so personally, I would not use them.

There may exist a non-authorized vendor that would provide you a deal for the same item sold by authorized dealers. But, it could be a huge risk. At worse, a gray market item could be stripped of included accessories, or accessories such as the battery being replaced with a cheaper 3rd party item.

If you are maxing out your budget and choosing a cheaper model wouldn't work for you, do look at Canon's refurbished options.

[LeeP]

"Willoughby's is not on Canon's authorized dealer list, so personally, I would not use them."

I agree.

Their website says--in the "about us" section--"We are remarkably sanguine that our company will reach our goal of making you delighted with choosing..."

I've had two careers running simultaneously: photography and being an ELA teacher (pays the bills etc.). The use of the word "sanguine" is bizarre because it is an archaic word that nearly all of Willoughby's customers would not know, so why talk over their heads? It feels AI written which raises a flag because if the "about us" section is your attempt to make a great impression, trusting AI to do it for you is at minimum unwise. And for me it raises questions.

I know nothing about Willoughby's so I do not wish to intentionally disparage them yet their website has features that do not sit well with me.

Buyer beware.

[Canarsie]

Funny. I knew the Willoughby’s name from living, going to school, and working in New York; so I thought they were as reputable and as legitimate as B&H Photo. The online reviews I have seen since reading the comments here state otherwise...

[LeeP]

That's the thing with online reviews; the people giving them are not always vetted/verified.

For example, at the California/Nevada state line there was a hotel/casino called Whiskey Pete's. The online reviews were either scathing or lavish with praise. Anyone who has seen the place knows that the scathing reviews were honest and accurate. So, who were the "guests" who lavished praise on the place? They were fake. True story. The place had 777 rooms and over time many of them became so derelict that they were uninhabitable yet they rented them out anyway.

As for Willoughby's, I thought it interesting that--for example--the Canon R1 had $500 off and of course right there you could buy a warranty. Hmmm...

So, if LeeP's Camera Emporium of Magnificence sells grey market products, I make money two ways. I make money because I did not pay the price for stock that Canon USA stock would and cost me, but also by siphoning off legitimate business from legitimate stores. Then, because I sell a warranty, I make money on that as well.

Buyers need to be vigilant.

[March411]

Ricky recommendation to watch the Canon Refurbished site would be an excellent direction. I haven't purchased a body but have picked up several lenses that when received looked and performed like brand new and they carry a warranty. Below is a link to the Canon Authorized Dealer listing (if you don't already have it), it will open in a PDF. As you shop around for a decent price on a body and adapter this list may be helpful.

Click here to view a list of our Canon Authorized Dealers.