Is this a sensor issue? trying not to panic

sarahjannett said:

I have tried two different memory cards hoping that was the problem, but I am getting lines and misread information in photos.

please help,

here are some examples:

Click to expand...

Have you verified it is not your card reader? Load your different memory cards on another computer or use the USB cord to load the photos. Do the images display normally on the camera LCD back screen?

--
Ben Boozer
Disagree without being disagreeable

Boomanbb they do not appear normally on the LCD screen.

On some of them I get the "image cannot be played back" error

on some you can just barely see the little dots that make up the lines.

The first one I shared shows up the second gets the error.

It is possible both cards are corrupt, I hadn't used one of them in a really long time.

Try formatting the cards in the camera.

sarahjannett said:

Boomanbb they do not appear normally on the LCD screen.

Click to expand...

Does the LCD display look OK when the camera is in Live View mode?

I did reformat both cards in the camera.

The first I have done twice now.

Things were ok for a bit but then the issue came back.

Haven't tried this yet but I will.

If it is the sensor will live view not work properly?

I have a couple of questions that it seems nobody has asked yet.

I notice the ISO is 3200. I consider this pretty high. Does the problem occur at lower ISO settings as well?

Do you shoot raw, at all? Or are these always JPEG photos? If you do shoot raw, does the problem appear in those photos?

It might not be the sensor but the in-camera JPEG processing.

Another thought: Canon camera get cranky when they get hot. Might that be a problem here?

ok, I am not seeing the issue when I use Live mode.

Your camera should function via JPG, RAW, Live View or not. You could purchase the cheapest card you can, format it and see if you can replicate the issue, viewed on your PC and or a local photo printing booth. After that call canon directly for an estimate if they will give you one over the phone.

Either way if it is not the card, nor reader, nor you PC (PC is extremely unlikely), then you should start planning to get another camera body. You should be able to buy another 7D for between $500 and $600 via ebay etc. Or perhaps upgrade. Sorry to mention the obvious, but everything breaks down even the best cameras, and even the healthiest amongst us.

I am not quite sure what you mean by it should function or not.

I am pretty much certain the issue is either with the card or camera as I can see the missing lines in playback mode while on the camera.

I think it might be a card issue since it stops for a little bit after I reformat and then starts again.

I don't know though, havent had a chance to get out and do test shots other than in the living room since I have a 19 mo old. It seems like there might be some additional issues with focus, but I am not sure.

I really haven't used the camera that much in comparison to what other people do, so if it is in fact the camera, I am pretty disappointed that it would be failing especially considering a new one is not in the budget in the least right now.

Thank you for your help.

just did a couple of RAW shots and then back to just JPG and I am not seeing the issue. Haven't uploaded them to my computer yet, but like I said I was seeing the problem in the LCD screen before.

I read something about Sandisk cards having a lifetime warranty so hopefully that is the problem.

Congratulations on having the baby!

What I meant was the camera should function properly whether in live view or normal viewfinder photography. And that if the problem presents itself even once it will be back if it is in the camera its self and not the card.

I have heard of bad card readers messing up a good card but usually after formating the card (choose low level format in the camera at least once while troubleshooting) The camera and written images should be looking fine in playback on the screen.

I suggested buying a very cheap card as it would help troubleshoot and having an extra even small and slow card is a nice thing to keep in the glove box, coat or purse as it is so easy to travel to a photographic location and to forget your best card at home. Here is such a card for $17 its a decent spare.

Although you may very well not be in the market for a card reader I will point you to a good one. Here is a very well regarded CF SD Card reader, my personal choice, its $32 but excellent Lexar brand.

If you can not get the 7D to behave most likely given plenty of daylight your cell phone will generate some very good images in the meantime.

I hope it is the card or card reader. I dig about a new body not being in the cards. You may very well know all this but I will throw down a few words anyhow. Although it is just opinions and not hard facts.

If it does end up being a costly problem and you eventually buy another camera here are a couple tips.

Ebay and Fred Miranda forums are the best markets for finding good low milage gear at good prices. I bought one 7D on Fred Miranda with less that 3000 clicks for about $475 US and sold it a year later this last fall for about $465 on ebay.

Add the word shutter to your searches and you will quickly find the lower shutter count and less beat up cameras no matter the brand or model. A 7D or 7D II with less than 60k clicks is worth $600 to me. I would think any Canon body with less than half its rated shutter life count is only about 1/4 of the way through its life. But as you know shutter and mirror boxes are not the only thing s that can malfunction. T4i on up ( here is an example of one for $365 out the door with less than 8000 clicks, smaller viewfinder and slower than 7D but has a rotating touch screen), 70D on up and 7D on up, and 5D II on up are as old as i am considering and I am currently looking to replace my 7D I sold for xmas money right now. Going with an imported or refurbished 80D in April most likely.

Wish I could of been more help.

Thank you!