30D Overexposure at High Shutter Speeds (need help ASAP!)

TeamSpeed wrote in post #8685918
The problem is, from what I read, is that the camera is selecting f/5.6 in Tv mode at ISO 1600, which is very weird. Either a metering or EC issue then, correct?

Keywords: "from what I read." We're relying on the OP's recollection of what he thought he did. Details are still sketchy.

A few samples with EXIF will probably prove quite enlightening.

Or it could be something more costly.. although this was on a 40D, it could be something similar..
http://www.flickr.com …iscuss/72157617​284897371/

I have just had the same happen to me, still thinking on my options though!

looks like the OP has left the building.

delta-101 wrote in post #8687708
Or it could be something more costly.. although this was on a 40D, it could be something similar..
http://www.flickr.com …iscuss/72157617​284897371/

I have just had the same happen to me, still thinking on my options though!

Just got back on to read all of the helpful suggestions, but this one was exactly what I wanted to hear. Someone else with the same issues!
For the record, the exposure meter is centered, I'm using center-weighted metering, and all of the white balance shifts have been tried.
If I shoot at slow shutter speeds with higher ISO in dim lighting the exposure is pretty close to dead on. But as soon as I crank up the shutter speed the image is overblown, way overexposed.
Turning up the shutter speed should result in a much dimmer, darker image. I'm getting just the opposite reaction. The aperture is not opening up to compensate for the shutter change, and I'm shooting in TV.
I appreciate all the help, and will be sending this baby back to Canon... sigh...

delta-101 wrote in post #8687708
Or it could be something more costly.. although this was on a 40D, it could be something similar..
http://www.flickr.com …iscuss/72157617​284897371/

I have just had the same happen to me, still thinking on my options though!

I had a 40D that always overexposed by about a whole stop, had to send it into canon and they fixed it somehow... don't remember what they did as it was right after the 40D came out, but i remember having to send it in for it.

village idiot wrote in post #8687783
Just got back on to read all of the helpful suggestions, but this one was exactly what I wanted to hear. Someone else with the same issues!
For the record, the exposure meter is centered, I'm using center-weighted metering, and all of the white balance shifts have been tried.
If I shoot at slow shutter speeds with higher ISO in dim lighting the exposure is pretty close to dead on. But as soon as I crank up the shutter speed the image is overblown, way overexposed.
Turning up the shutter speed should result in a much dimmer, darker image. I'm getting just the opposite reaction. The aperture is not opening up to compensate for the shutter change, and I'm shooting in TV.
I appreciate all the help, and will be sending this baby back to Canon... sigh...

The aperture should close, not open up when you increase shutter speed.

"The aperture should close, not open up when you increase shutter speed".

Run that by me again? Increase the shutter speed while keeping the exposure value the same should mean the aperture opening, as village idiot says.

village idiot wrote in post #8687783
Turning up the shutter speed should result in a much dimmer, darker image. I'm getting just the opposite reaction. The aperture is not opening up to compensate for the shutter change, and I'm shooting in TV.

It could very well be that your camera needs repair, but your analysis doesn't hold water. If the aperture was not wide enough to compensate for the faster shutter speed, the image would be underexposed, not overexposed as you report.

A more plausible explanation might be that the shutter just isn't working correctly at those higher speeds. The aperture opens but the shutter actually operates slower than what it's set for, resulting in overexposure.

My first suspicion, based on the symptoms, would be that the shutter's off at high speeds. Here's a test for it.
Set the camera in Manual.
Varying aperture and ISO as needed, start at 1//15 sec. or so and take a shot at each whole shutter speed interval (1/30, 1/60, 1/125, 1/250, 1/500, 1/1000, 1/2000, 1/4000, 1/8000) and check the exposures.
Then you can shift to 1/3 stop intervals around a problem area and/or try varying apertures with the problem shutter speeds to see what actual shutter speeds you're getting.
Checking the EXIF data will also let you verify whether you're getting a consistent metered exposure as you change shutter speeds.

Or just use a separate, hand held light meter and run some test exposures at various shutter speeds. An incidence meter is ideal, since it measures light levels directly rather than reflected, which is influenced by the tonality of any subject you point it towards.

Could be a slow or dragging shutter, but I can't say from experience (I used two 30Ds a lot over several years and never had a similar problem). Shutter errors might show up more at higher speeds.

Curtis N wrote in post #8694518
It could very well be that your camera needs repair, but your analysis doesn't hold water. If the aperture was not wide enough to compensate for the faster shutter speed, the image would be underexposed, not overexposed as you report.

A more plausible explanation might be that the shutter just isn't working correctly at those higher speeds. The aperture opens but the shutter actually operates slower than what it's set for, resulting in overexposure.

Curtis, I think you've hit on the real problem. The only way increasing the shutter speed should BRIGHTEN a photo at high ISO is if the shutter isn't actually increasing in speed. Another post recommended a test I intend to run ASAP.
I greatly appreciate all of the help, even the comments that imply "village idiot" is an apt nickname for this forum...
I'll admit I have little technical knowlege of this sort. When things work, I'm pretty good with them. When they don't, I tend to reach for the nearest hammer. This camera is almost hammer ready...

Is there anyone out there willing to pass along an email address so I can send examples of this camera's problem? I don't have time to figure out the forum's posting rules, but could use a little help before I box this thing off to Canon repairs. You can write to me at wizardpix@comcast.net if you're willing to look at emailed examples. Thanks.

Bob

Yes, that is the test I did on my 40D, all was good up to 1/250, but after that no significant change right up to 1/8000. (Though the Exif data still records the higher speeds.)
It is quite clear that in my case the shutter simply does not physically increase in speed after 1/250. Prognosis is the shutter control or shutter itself is faulty. (only 5000 actuation's!)
I suspect whilst village idiot has not carried out these exact tests, the overexposure at speeds faster than 1/250 would probably indicate a similar sort of fault.
My 40D is still waiting my decision for repair or replace, since here in the UK it is likely to be about £250-£300 to repair, I think I may look for a good used replacement. In the meanwhile my 30D has come out of the cupboard..

village idiot wrote in post #8695364
This camera is almost hammer ready...

Gotta hope the title fairy sees that one.

village idiot wrote in post #8695364
I'll admit I have little technical knowlege of this sort. When things work, I'm pretty good with them. When they don't, I tend to reach for the nearest hammer. This camera is almost hammer ready...

I feel your pain, my daughter informed me last night when she turned on our Xbox 360, that it was flashing 3 red LEDs and she wanted to know what to do. I said get a hammer....

I have since completely ripped apart the 360 and have the motherboard in my hands right now....

So yup, I understand the initial instincts around electronics that fail!