Canon 7D my metering isn't working any ideas?

Yesterday I was taking pics as normal then towards the end of the day when trying to get some swifts in flight my metering was way off saying 1/8000 in AV, wasn't sure why but I thought maybe it was because it was bright and I had safety shift on. I turned that off and I think I was still able to get shots as normal. Today I went out after a full battery recharge over night and in AV i was getting 1/8000 no matter where the camera was pointing. Turned it off and on again looked like it was ok for 2 or 3 shots then changed back to 1/8000. Reset all camera functions, took out battery and even clock battery for 5 seconds or so, changed from AV and all the same even shutter priority wanted a much darker image setting aperture of like F22 + at 1/800. Changed lenses still the same!

Anyway I'm guessing my metering is broke, do u think a firmware reinstall might help I have the latest version. Was stuck using manual today as we were at a nature reserve a good hour from home. Anyone have anything similar happen to them?

What ISO?

I can't help with your specific problem (and I do wish you luck with it!) but can I quite cheekily suggest that you take this opportunity to leave the camera on Manual and NEVER go back?

<~~shoots manual, doesn't need a manual!

Any iso changed that too. EmarkM sorry but I shoot wildlife and I need to have the camera quickly meter from the subject and get me the maximum shutter speed I can from my aperture setting. Manual however wasn't all that bad my dad helped as he was with me and told me what he was metering but I kept checking my results and I think I'm pretty aware of the light in general I had very little messed up images.

Maximono wrote in post #10262709
Any iso changed that too.

Changed what? And what ISO were you using?

If you are outdoors in sunlight and select ISO 6400 then you should expect a 1/8000 shutter or an f/22 aperture.

In manual metering mode, where was the meter needle, was it pegged at the top suggesting overexposure? Were you using Auto ISO or set ISO?

Did you check to see if you accidentally dialed in some Exposure Compensation? Post an image with EXIF intact.

Maximono wrote in post #10262709
EmarkM sorry but I shoot wildlife and I need to have the camera quickly meter from the subject and get me the maximum shutter speed I can from my aperture setting.

As do I!

Maximono wrote in post #10262709
Manual however wasn't all that bad my dad helped as he was with me and told me what he was metering but I kept checking my results and I think I'm pretty aware of the light in general I had very little messed up images.

There you go then...

msowsun wrote in post #10262749
Did you check to see if you accidentally dialed in some Exposure Compensation? Post an image with EXIF intact.

Good suggestion, the 7D has up to +5EC doesn't it? That could really throw things off. As always, TTIUWP...

Maximono wrote in post #10262588
Yesterday I was taking pics as normal then towards the end of the day when trying to get some swifts in flight my metering was way off saying 1/8000 in AV, wasn't sure why but I thought maybe it was because it was bright and I had safety shift on. I turned that off and I think I was still able to get shots as normal. Today I went out after a full battery recharge over night and in AV i was getting 1/8000 no matter where the camera was pointing. Turned it off and on again looked like it was ok for 2 or 3 shots then changed back to 1/8000. Reset all camera functions, took out battery and even clock battery for 5 seconds or so, changed from AV and all the same even shutter priority wanted a much darker image setting aperture of like F22 + at 1/800. Changed lenses still the same!

Anyway I'm guessing my metering is broke, do u think a firmware reinstall might help I have the latest version. Was stuck using manual today as we were at a nature reserve a good hour from home. Anyone have anything similar happen to them?

Probably not what you want to hear, but this is how a 30d of mine behaved when the meter went out.

Shooing outdoors, the sun is your light source and the light from the sun is constant. You will probably have more consistent exposure in manual mode. This is because each shot you compose will probably vary the amount of sky and subject. That can fool the camera's meter because it just wants to average out the entire scene. I don't usually shoot wildlife, but this works for me in outdoor sports.

If there are clouds constantly blocking and then unblocking the sun, you will probably need Av or Tv.

You didn't say what metering mode you were using. This sounds like Spot metering got dialed in by mistake. Just a tiny flick of the wrist will make the shutter speed jump all over the scale in Av mode if your in Spot.

My money is still on EC+-5 but without pics it is hard to tell...

As stated in my original post I changed shooting modes on the camera, into shutter priority and even auto but still the metering was off. Reset the camera functions and even took out the clock battery. No EV compensation was being used, I wouldn't leave it on I'm a very competent photographer and with such a fault I obviously checked all my settings ( as you would).

Thanks boconnor811 Clearly the same issue, I'll be returning it for a warranty repair.

Sorry about your luck. I hope Canon returns it quickly.