20D, Bad Sensor or somethig else?

[Ray]

Hi,
This is my first post here (BTW great forum, I have been reading it for several months).
I just bought my first DSLR, a 20D and I went out to test it. Surprise! In the upper side of the picture, a little bit to the right I have like a small filled circle, like a shadow. It shows up in all the pictures, regardless of ISO speed or even lens. I used a 28-135 lens and to verify that it is not the lens I used a 28-90. After that, I cleaned the sensor and tried again without any success.

I am posting a link to three pictures where you can see this, one full picture downsized for the web and one 100% crop from another picture and one full size picture.
http://www.pbase.com/ray72/20d

Has anybody seen such a thing? I know there was a post about the same problem but it did not lead anywhere as far as I am concerned. Should I return the camera? I bought it from Dell and I think I can return it in 2 or 3 weeks.

Any advice will be welcomed.
Thanks[/url]

[Malaxos1]

It isn't unheard of for people getting Canon DSLRs with dirt already on the sensor....Dean

[Belmondo]

Discouraging way to start, but I don't think you have a problem. As you've already figured out on your own, it's not in your optics, so it's very likely dust on the sensor. Get a good squeeze-type blower and read the directions in your manual for cleaning the sensor. If you can't blow it off, then it might have to go to Canon for a cleaning. It's not unheard of for a new camera to come through QA with dirt on the sensor. It's not a big problem as a rule.

Welcome to the forum. Let us know how this works out for you.

Tom

[Ray]

You guys are fast!
I already blew the sensor with a rubber blower and nothing happend. I will try to contact Canon. I am still thinking if I shoud return it and ask for another one. Just in case. What do you think?

Thanks again!

[robertdrake]

You'll get it replaced, and guess what, it will have dust bunnies too.

[roanjohn]

I would have it replaced just to be safe.........

probably faster than sending it to Canon and having it cleaned.


Ro1

[davidwegs]

Replace it would be my choice.

They (Canon) have a few teathing issues with all new products and this is one that should be rectified early on. I would not take the chance of having a bad sensor, it can happen.

[robertwgross]

Wouldn't it be much quicker to simply clean the sensor? It costs about a penny and it takes a few minutes, at most.

---Bob Gross---

[defordphoto]

Canon will not replace this sensor. If you send it to them, they will take 5 minutes, blow the dust off, test it, send it back and hopefully it won't come back with more.

Get used to it. It's part of owning a dSLR.

[Ray]

I sent an e-mail to Canon basically with the same information as in this post and this was their response:

Thank you for your inquiry. We are sorry to hear that a spot is
appearing in all of your pictures with the EOS 20D.

We would suggest exchanging your camera, with your dealer, if you are
within their exchange policy.

Otherwise, your camera should be examined. We regret this
inconvenience.

For service, please forward your digital camera to the Factory Service
Center shown below. When shipping your camera, please be sure to
remove
the CompactFlash card and battery. You are not required to send any
accessories or manuals when shipping the camera. Be sure to include
your name, street address (no P.O. boxes, please), telephone number,
and
a letter describing the issue with the product. We ask that you also
include proof of warranty in the form of a copy of your sales receipt.

As we do not provide RMA numbers for service, we suggest using a
trackable and insurable service (i.e. UPS, Federal Express, Priority
Mail) to ship your camera. Please package the your camera very
securely
to prevent damage during shipment.

Canon Factory Service Center
100 Jamesburg Road
Jamesburg, NJ. 08831
Telephone Number: (732) 521-7007
Business hours: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (EST) Monday-Friday


Jim & Bob
I did clean the sensor with a rubber blower and nothing changed.

I am going to send it back to Dell and ask for an exchange since I can still retun it.

Thanks everybody for your answers.

[robertdrake]

That's Canon's answer for everything, send it in. Anyway, I bet you a loonie that you're exchanged camera has the same problem. If it works well in every other respect, I'd keep it.

[robertwgross]

I did clean the sensor with a rubber blower and nothing changed.


Actually, not.

It sounds to me like you simply blew off the sensor. That works if it is a simple light dust problem, but it is insufficient for sticky sensor crud.

I've described my cleaning technique several times. It costs me about a penny or less, and it takes only a few minutes.

I don't have to mail my camera off to anyplace. I don't have to deal with a dealer's exchange policy.

---Bob Gross---