Loose screw "ding" in Rebel sensor

I've a Rebel XT (don't remember the model no. equivalent, but had it about 4 years). The LCD control panel cracked, and I took it to a camera shop in AZ for replacement. Had to fly home (Ky, a long way from a repair shop), and when they called with the LCD replacement estimate they told me that a screw had come loose in the body, and put a small "ding" in the sensor. Was pushed for time when they called, wanted the camera back, and I didn't ask what it would cost to put in a new sensor. Now that I've taken shots with it, and have a black blotch on every frame, I'd kind of like to have the sensor replaced.
My question - any guess on what this would cost? Is it cost-effective? Paid about $700 for the camera when it was new, obviously that's not what it's worth now . . .

Not worth it to pay over $200. I just sold my 30D body (in perfect condition) on ebay for only $230. You can sell that "As-Is/for parts" for maybe $70-100 and just add your budget for repairs and you can get a newer rebel XSi, Canon 30D or maybe a 40D for $300. Just save the lens from your XT. Hope this helps....

Thanks, any idea what the "norm" for sensor replacement is for a Rebel?

Just had my 50D sensor assembly replaced for $160. He's one of the best on ebay... see attached link...
But I don't know if he still fixes Canon XTs, you can ask. Tell him pepckat (Jose) referred you, you might get a discount

http://www.ebay.com …m1497.l2649#ht_​717wt_1185

Wait, I found it, he still fixes XTs.....

http://www.ebay.com …4ab409f47c#ht_1​266wt_1185

one more....

http://www.ebay.com …m3376ec50bf#ht_​986wt_1185

what kind of blotch is it, are you sure it's not sensor dust ?

It's difficult to "ding" a sensor as there is a glass Anti-Aliasing filter in front it, which offers some protection as well.

Only know that Tempe Camera (Tempe, AZ) told me that a screw was bouncing around inside and had damaged the sensor when I brought it in for another issue. You can see the splotch in this photo - on the brick almost directly left of the waist of the fellow hoisting the flag, directly over the head of the girl with the red headband.

Can you take a pic of the sensor? If a screw was rattling around there might also be shutter damage.

I've taken a couple thousand pictures since I got the camera back and haven't noticed any issues other than the small spot consistently on each frame. I suspect there's no shutter damage (I really think the screw just came out as I took the camera out of my bag and detached the lens to walk into the shop with it, as I heard a small "ding" sound inside the body. But, a question: how can we tell if there's shutter damage by taking a picture of the sensor?

Have you used a sensor loupe to eyeball the sensor (actually the AA filter layer on top of the sensor), to see if that mark is a scratch or lubricant smear or dust ?

looks like you can get secondhand sensors complete with IR filters for about USD$50 from suppliers on ebay (e.g. http://www.ebay.com …ories&hash=item​1e67dbe4c7 )
So you'd really just be up for the cost of replacing the part so probably another $100 worth of tech time.

Firstly I'd be looking at the "ding" a lot more closely to see if it's actually scratched or if it is actually some muck.

I'd be dubious that a screw that "came loose in the body" would be able to get behind the shutter (that would have to be open at the time) to ding that filter without also imparting terminal destruction of the shutter at the same time. Smells like some BS the repair shops come up with to be honest...

joeseph wrote in post #14704339
.. Smells like some BS the repair shops come up with to be dishonest...

fixed it for ya

Perfect_10 wrote in post #14704940
fixed it for ya

touché!

The repair shop CYA / BS is the first thing that occurred to me. It seems to me you'd have to beat that camera around pretty good for a loose screw to do much damage to the AA filter surface... the screw is too light, and the distances too small for much force. It would have had to be jammed in there somehow, hence the questions about your shutter.

Best guess is your repair shop damaged it and is trying to get you to buy that it was your fault.