HELP- Screen went BLACK...So did photos.

sj022698 · Oct 12, 2009

I'm not sure if this is the right category so if not, I apologize and to any mod, feel free to move to the appropriate section.

I have a Canon Rebel DS6041 which I believe is the same as the 300d.

Anyway, I've never had any issues with it until yesterday...I was taking photos and it was working properly and then I looked down and the lcd display would just have a black screen displayed. Pulled the memory card out and transferred to the computer. The first dozen or so were fine but then the remainder were completely black. Pulled the battery...After doing some quick searches, it looked like the symptoms resemble a bad CCD. Would you agree?

I also tried setting it to TV mode and dropping it down to a slow shutter speed to see if that would fix it but nothing. Any other suggestions?

I appreciate the help!

sj022698 · Oct 12, 2009

By the way, I can view all the menus on the LCD fine. I've also formatted the memory card and tried a different card.

Could this be a shutter problem? Would a good cleaning help. Honestly, I've had this camera since like 2003 and it's never been cleaned. I don't even know how to clean it.

DennyCrane · Oct 12, 2009

It could be a stuck mirror. If you can see through the viewfinder, but nothing's getting to the sensor, that might be it. Take another picture with a slow shutter speed- see if the viewfinder goes black as you press the shutter button. If it doesn't, the mirror is not moving.

sj022698 · Oct 12, 2009

DennyCrane said:
It could be a stuck mirror. If you can see through the viewfinder, but nothing's getting to the sensor, that might be it. Take another picture with a slow shutter speed- see if the viewfinder goes black as you press the shutter button. If it doesn't, the mirror is not moving.

Just did as advised and the viewfinder went black. What should I try next?

What are the other common problems for the symptoms? Would it be either the shutter or CCD? Is there a way to test either?

fokker · Oct 12, 2009

I'd say your sensor is goneburgers. Probably you should start saving for a new camera.

sj022698 · Oct 12, 2009

fokker said:
I'd say your sensor is goneburgers. Probably you should start saving for a new camera.

Any way to determine it for sure? I'd hate to just discard it without really being sure? What's the typical price to fix this issue? Could it simply be something from the lack of cleaning?

DennyCrane · Oct 12, 2009

Here's a possible relevant link on this problem:

How to repair broken sub-mirror on Canon EOS 300D / Rebel

Dao · Oct 12, 2009

Can you set the shutter speed to 3 to 5 seconds. And then look inside the camera through the lens mount (no lens is mounted). Press the shutter button and see if you are able to see the sensor.

sj022698 · Oct 12, 2009

Dao said:
Can you set the shutter speed to 3 to 5 seconds. And then look inside the camera through the lens mount (no lens is mounted). Press the shutter button and see if you are able to see the sensor.

I apologize but can you dumb it down for me. I'm not much of a photographer.

#1-When I set the shutter to 3-5 seconds, what should I be on? Should it be like the TV setting or similar?
#2- If so, What number should I scroll to?
#3- Should I do it in a somewhat dim room?
#4- Lastly, what does the sensor look like and with it produce any colors?

sj022698 · Oct 12, 2009

DennyCrane said:
Here's a possible relevant link on this problem:

How to repair broken sub-mirror on Canon EOS 300D / Rebel

While I appreciate the link, that looks a bit out of my skill level but informative nonetheless.

Dao · Oct 12, 2009

sj022698 said:
Dao said:

Can you set the shutter speed to 3 to 5 seconds. And then look inside the camera through the lens mount (no lens is mounted). Press the shutter button and see if you are able to see the sensor.

Click to expand...

I apologize but can you dumb it down for me. I'm not much of a photographer.

#1-When I set the shutter to 3-5 seconds, what should I be on? Should it be like the TV setting or similar?
#2- If so, What number should I scroll to?
#3- Should I do it in a somewhat dim room?
#4- Lastly, what does the sensor look like and with it produce any colors?

#1 Tv mode, time enough for you to see if mirror and curtains move away to expose the sensor.
#2 If you can see it in 3 seconds, then set to 3 seconds.
#3 Enough light for you to see.
#4 Look here
http://www.infoborder.com/Digital_Camera_review/Canon/sensor.jpg

sj022698 · Oct 12, 2009

Ok, I apologize for the amount of photos but was thinking that there might be something in a picture that stands out but since I don't know anything about this stuff that it might mean something. Here is what it looks like when I simply pull off the lens.