problem with Shutter speed ??

[Dev]

Hi,

I have a Canon EOS 6.3MP Digital Rebel Camera, which has suddenly started giving some problem. I usually use the Manual mode for most of my photographs, ocassionaly using the Tv and Av mode as required. Now coming to the problem which started about 2 days back, whenever i set the mode to M or Tv or Av and click the button to capture, the shutter opens up and doesn't close for like 2 seconds or so (during this time my view thorugh the viewfinder is closed), irrespective of what shutter speed i am setting to. But, the picture doesn't get overexposed for that period, instead, it gives me the picture for the settings I have configured.

I dn't know what is the problem. I ahve even cleared the camera settings to default, but the problem persists. Please help me get rid of this problem. I am sure this is not a lens problem.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks
Dev

[randalcandari]

maybe the shutter closes but the mirror remains up for a long time.

[Dev]

yes, that is right. i just checked. how do i fix this?

[rent]

did you happen to turn on mirror lockup? (can one turn on mirror lockup in a DRebel?)

-alex

[wolverinesr1]

that sounds like mirror lockup delay that was enabled from the russian hack

[tim]

Sounds like either the timer or mirror lockup is turned on to me.

[Dev]

is there a solution to this? I just don't know what to do? :-(

[rent]

dev: did you apply any firmware hack to your DRebel or does it have the original or canon-released firmware?

if you have not applied any hacks, then we can rule out mirror lockup being active as an issue. you may then need to send your camera to canon for service.

-alex

[Dev]

This camera belonged to a friend of mine, who bought a 20D recently and I got this one fron him to start my hobby on Digital photography. It was just fine for the past 30 days and i was really enojying it, till this happened. He had mentioned earlier that he upgraded the firmware. Not sure to which number...how do I change it? and what is the best version to use right now?

can u provide me the link from where i can get this downloaded?

thanks
dev

[rent]

hi dev: first of all, here's my disclaimer: i dont own a DRebel and have not done the firmware hack and reversal myself. so the information i present is only recollections of what i have read on various online resources. performing firmware upgrades presents an inherit risk of irreversible damage to your equipment so please proceed with caution and only do what you are comfortable with.

that said, check out http://www.bahneman.com/liem/photos/tricks/digital-rebel-tricks.php they have lots of info on DRebel's firmware. there is an article about reverting to the canon OEM firmware (can be downloaded from Canon).

honestly though, at this point, based on the info you provided, i can't positively say the problem you observed is related to the firmware. i recommend you get in touch with your friend and figure out exactly what he has done before you go ahead and upgrade/reverse the firmware on your cam. there is still the posibility that this is just a bona-fide malfunction which should be serviced by an authorized canon service center.

sorry about the long-winded response. just want to make sure you don't inadvertently make things worse for yourself.

-alex

[Dev]

Thanks for the info. I am waiting for my friend to arrive. He's gone to Yellow stone national park.
Will post if i get an answer to this problem. Any other suggestions from the forum would still be helpful.

Thanks
Vasu.

[dsze]

You have tried disabling MLU right?

-daniel

[robertwgross]

It certainly sounds like either a self-timer on, or a mirror lockup on, or sensor cleaning mode on.

---Bob Gross---

[Dev]

I got it sorted out. i kind of set all the C Fn parameters to the values as suggested in the link provided by rent. I guess the MLU was not getting disabled. Thanks for all your help guys. In the last 2 days i have learnt a lot about this camera and other tricks just browsing on the net.

one more question, having the hacked firmware on your camera, is it good or bad? (I understand i can't claim any guarantee from canon).

Thanx
Dev

[Phil V]

I got it sorted out. i kind of set all the C Fn parameters to the values as suggested in the link provided by rent. I guess the MLU was not getting disabled. Thanks for all your help guys. In the last 2 days i have learnt a lot about this camera and other tricks just browsing on the net.

one more question, having the hacked firmware on your camera, is it good or bad? (I understand i can't claim any guarantee from canon).

Thanx
Dev

The firmware hack is great if you need it, MLU for still life shots and flash exposure compensation are both really useful (if you do that sort of shooting). I'm a relatively experienced photographer , I have had a 300d for nearly 2 years (since launch) and I never needed the hack, the camera is used as a second shooter at weddings etc and does everything it was designed to.