5D2 Not metering...

[Stic2]

So i picked up the 5D2 the other day (about two weeks after last using it) and went to take a shot...no metering!

Wherever I point it, in dark or light, it just displays 30"...

If I engage the mirror lock up/live view, metering works perfectly...

Anyone know what is wrong?

 

[Stic2]

Nobody else had this happen?

 

[RAZKY]

So i picked up the 5D2 the other day (about two weeks after last using it) and went to take a shot...no metering!

Wherever I point it, in dark or light, it just displays 30"...

If I engage the mirror lock up/live view, metering works perfectly...

Anyone know what is wrong?

I would think the manual ought to explain how the meter should function. If not, a call to Canon support might be in order.

 

[Stic2]

I'm not wondering how it should function, i'm saying it ISN'T functioning unless the mirror is klocked up, but I don't know what the fault might be that is stopping it meter when the mirror is down.

 

[RAZKY]

I'm not wondering how it should function, i'm saying it ISN'T functioning unless the mirror is klocked up, but I don't know what the fault might be that is stopping it meter when the mirror is down.

Any reason you cannot call Canon support?

 

[Stic2]

I was hoping that this issue might be familiar to others on here who might have a simple and or quick solution...

Guess i'm just gonna have to find a reputable camera repair establishment somewhere....

 

[Golem]

So i picked up the 5D2 the other day (about two weeks after last using it) and went to take a shot...no metering!

Wherever I point it, in dark or light, it just displays 30"...

If I engage the mirror lock up/live view, metering works perfectly...

Anyone know what is wrong?

Not much info to work with. On suspicion of an unintended user setting, have you tried switching to one of your "C" modes on the mode dial ? Also, try a different lens.

 

[Stic2]

Yeah, different lenses, different settings, just goes straight to 30sec...I assume it go go longer if that were possible....

If i bang the ISO up to something stupid like 2000, I can get it down to 15sec while pointing it at the light bulb....

As soon as I go to live view, it all goes back to normal...

 

[Golem]

Yeah, different lenses, different settings, just goes straight to 30sec...I assume it go go longer if that were possible....

If i bang the ISO up to something stupid like 2000, I can get it down to 15sec while pointing it at the light bulb....

As soon as I go to live view, it all goes back to normal...

Very specifically, did you try your C1, C2, or C3 modes ? If any user settings are to blame, the C mode will bypass that. If the C modes function properly that would mean a user setting is to blame. If you cannot identify that error then your last resort is to reset the whole camera back to factory defaults.

BTW, Im assuming the f/stop is displayed, as normal, in your viewfinder and on your Info screen ?

The attached image is a 5D mkIII screen for returning to factory defaults. Your mkII menu should be the same or very similar. The 2nd and 3rd images below are an area that might be related to your problem. Just a vague suspicion but look into it.

 

[Stic2]

C1-C3 are no different, all want to vastly overexpose (so obviously not metering correctly).
All other settings in line with what you posted.

I haven't changed anything between when this issue showed up, and the last time I used the camea (and it worked fine).

It also hasn't been hit or dropped...just sitting in the camera bag as usual...

This is also NOT a high use camera, around 13,000 shutter count...

Again, point it at the lightbulb, with a 50mm 1.8 lens on, set to 1.8, iso 100, and it just gives a flashing 30" so clearly not metering for the light (as correct exposure should give around 1/60th sec...

Flick mirror up though, in live view mode, and it meters perfectly...

 

[Golem]

C1-C3 are no different, all want to vastly overexpose (so obviously not metering correctly).
All other settings in line with what you posted.

I haven't changed anything between when this issue showed up, and the last time I used the camea (and it worked fine).

It also hasn't been hit or dropped...just sitting in the camera bag as usual...

This is also NOT a high use camera, around 13,000 shutter count...

Again, point it at the lightbulb, with a 50mm 1.8 lens on, set to 1.8, iso 100, and it just gives a flashing 30" so clearly not metering for the light (as correct exposure should give around 1/60th sec...

Flick mirror up though, in live view mode, and it meters perfectly...

It does seem that its due for a repair.

If youre at ease with updating firmware on your own, you might give that a try. If you know what youre doing it cant hurt anything. But if youre not very confident at such jobs it can be risky. It would be a long shot anyway. I reloaded FW in an old Sony becuz it was throwing error messages and that had no effect.

 

[Stic2]

I'm dropping it into a repair shop in town on Saturday...

more research on net has shown it's almost definately the light metering sensor on top of the camera...either not working or misaligned somehow...

 

[Golem]

I'm dropping it into a repair shop in town on Saturday...

more research on net has shown it's almost definately the light metering sensor on top of the camera...either not working or misaligned somehow...

So, what was the diagnosis and what was the estimate ? KEH has replacement bodies at $400 +/-. Seems likely to be a close call. Acoarst if a needed part is unavailable, its a whole new ballgame.

If unrepairable its still oddly usable. Video is not affected. You can still set your own exposure in M-mode based on experience, test chimping, or advice from the LV meter.

If some of your interests generally involve a tripod, this slower way of metering isnt going to noticeably impact the utility of the camera for those interests.

 

[Stic2]

So update of a sort...local shop doesn't touch Canon, and advised I send to another shop they use at the other end of the other island...

Have done so and it's with him now, estimate if just what I think (top metering sensor), around $300NZ (about $180US).