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Gear / Technical Help => Photo / Video Recording => Topic started by: Phil Zone on October 05, 2014, 07:39:56 PM

Title: Dslr function poorly with age?
Post by: Phil Zone on October 05, 2014, 07:39:56 PM
Hi all,
I have a canon t1i and I have taken some great pictures with it in the past and now it is just taking very poor pictures in comparison. It especially stinks In low light and even in very bright light it's very whited out and over exposed. I ussually shoot manual and even in that mode it struggles a bit. Is it possible ghe camera is just dieing down? If so what should I do?

Thanks
Title: Re: Dslr function poorly with age?
Post by: beatkilla on October 06, 2014, 07:21:02 AM
Poor low light would most likely mean you need a faster lens.Also.stepping up to full frame will get you a little bit better low light.Which lens do you have?
Title: Re: Dslr function poorly with age?
Post by: ScoobieKW on October 06, 2014, 09:09:34 AM
Hi all,
I have a canon t1i and I have taken some great pictures with it in the past and now it is just taking very poor pictures in comparison. It especially stinks In low light and even in very bright light it's very whited out and over exposed. I ussually shoot manual and even in that mode it struggles a bit. Is it possible ghe camera is just dieing down? If so what should I do?

Thanks

Can you post samples?

a. Automatic of a simple daytime scene no flash needed
b. indoor with flash
c. concert photo

Also, have you tried to reset to factory default settings? Page 136 of the manual.
http://www.fhs.cuni.cz/ohsd/stranka/dokumenty/eos-500D.pdf
Title: Re: Dslr function poorly with age?
Post by: Phil Zone on October 06, 2014, 09:33:40 AM
I have tried resetting, I'll post some tonight though I've never used it for concerts only my personal use.

Lens I have tried on it
Tamron 28-300 not stabilized bought new 2004
Canon 70-300 new in the 90s sometime belonged to my mom when she used film


Is it more likely the lens are bad or the Body and what's a good replacement if we conclude the body is bad?
Title: Re: Dslr function poorly with age?
Post by: ScoobieKW on October 06, 2014, 10:32:24 AM
a. if you are having issues with exposure, I'd suspect the body not the lenses. The odds of two lenses going bad in that way are very, very low.

b. Call Canon support, there may be a deeper reset with firmware upgrade

c. Explore cost of repair with service center. Most likely much cheaper than replacing the camera body.

I can't recommend any particular Canon as I own a Nikon, but dpreview.com is my go-to site for reviews.
Title: Re: Dslr function poorly with age?
Post by: Phil Zone on October 06, 2014, 09:19:01 PM
https://copy.com/WiRIpPKecCbh6GJs

here are some pics, i have more if you want. i also have been having everything come out blurry even at very high shutter speed, and yes i shoot either manual or shutter priority.

any opinions on the SL1 or T3i?

thank you
Title: Re: Dslr function poorly with age?
Post by: ScoobieKW on October 07, 2014, 03:13:15 AM
Hi all,
I have a canon t1i and I have taken some great pictures with it in the past and now it is just taking very poor pictures in comparison. It especially stinks In low light and even in very bright light it's very whited out and over exposed. I ussually shoot manual and even in that mode it struggles a bit. Is it possible ghe camera is just dieing down? If so what should I do?

Thanks

You are shooting with a fairly slow shutter speed (1/100 of a second in the house photo). that plus the aperture of f6.3 will lead to overexposure in sunlight. Also with a long non-stabilized lens, the slower shutter speed will increase blur as zoom will maximize the effects of camera shake.

How does it do on auto?
Title: Re: Dslr function poorly with age?
Post by: Phil Zone on October 07, 2014, 06:17:26 AM
On auto it would do horrible always except with flash. It would use 1/15 shutter at 300 focal lenggth.
Title: Re: Dslr function poorly with age?
Post by: ScoobieKW on October 07, 2014, 09:23:30 AM
On auto it would do horrible always except with flash. It would use 1/15 shutter at 300 focal lenggth.

OK, then it's time to move to calling Canon support.
Title: Re: Dslr function poorly with age?
Post by: beatkilla on October 07, 2014, 09:33:38 AM
Also i would consider selling the lenses you have to upgrade as you have 2 lenses that overlap the same focal range and i believe your Tamron might be 3.5-6.3? and Canon NON IS and 4.5-5.6?Both are slow,im not sure what type of photography you are doing but a fast 2.8 or faster is always a plus.

Also always shooting in Manual mode is a must for accurate results.
Title: Re: Dslr function poorly with age?
Post by: Chrisedge on October 07, 2014, 11:51:19 AM
My 350D is doing something similar. I know it's not the settings, it's just getting more washed out as it ages. I have a 17-55mm 2.8 IS, and a 70-200 2.8 IS and either one isn't taking as "rich" of pictures as it used to.
Title: Re: Dslr function poorly with age?
Post by: 2manyrocks on October 07, 2014, 08:48:45 PM
apparently sensors deteriorate with age.  bummer.  I guess today's digital cameras won't make a picture 100 years from now unlike the old film cameras, a bummer to collectors in the future.
Title: Re: Dslr function poorly with age?
Post by: Phil Zone on October 07, 2014, 08:53:32 PM
Ya I ran a test with a t3 and the pcitures were phenomenal with the same lens. Looking at maybe a used t5i on Amazon, says very little use around $515
Title: Re: Dslr function poorly with age?
Post by: beatkilla on October 07, 2014, 09:30:46 PM
I would only personally buy used photo gear from BH,they have accurate grading system and are meticulous in checking over gear.
Title: Re: Dslr function poorly with age?
Post by: ScoobieKW on October 07, 2014, 10:32:51 PM
Do you plan on exploring repair before giving up?

Seems more like failure than just plain old. Either software or some other part. Very good chance that repair is cheaper than replacement.

If you are using this as an excuse to upgrade, then by all means go to B&H only I would, instead of used, look for Factory Refurbished.
Title: Re: Dslr function poorly with age?
Post by: Phil Zone on October 07, 2014, 10:54:34 PM
When bh doesn't have what I'm looking for used. I have bought some used things on Amazon and had good luck. I'd love to be able to get a 5i but maybe a t3i would be adequate. Any opinions on the two compared to each other?

Thanks again
Title: Re: Dslr function poorly with age?
Post by: Fatah Ruark (aka MIKE B) on October 08, 2014, 01:36:46 AM
I'm having a similar issue with my 50D w/17-40L lens.

The sky is really washed out on a lot of my pictures.

I was planning on doing some tests on it soon. Just lent it to a friend. When I get it back I'm going to try to play with it. I think the reset might not be a bad idea.
Title: Re: Dslr function poorly with age?
Post by: 2manyrocks on October 08, 2014, 10:01:21 AM
Nothing but good to say about B & H here.  Keh.com has also been recommended to me, but I haven't bought anything from them.
Title: Re: Dslr function poorly with age?
Post by: Phil Zone on October 14, 2014, 01:02:35 PM
Ended up buying a t3i and it seems really nice and so far I love it! Thanks for all the help