Canon Rebel EOS XS probably with obturator problems. (according to shop)

Hello, I have an old camera, Canon Rebel EOS XS, I have several years with it and it don't even take video. Is one generation earlier than the first one with the video feature. Anyway, it just developed an issue. When taking any photo, randomly some black shadow appears on the photo and the rest of the photo just appear very brillant, sometimes I only have the black shadow. And when I say shadow I mean a black object, not transparency.

I was looking if it was worth to repair so I went to a Canon certified shop in my country (MX) and the price they asked was just too much for this camera, something like 150 USD. I see some available on Amazon for 180 bucks, so I wont repair it with a certified shop. What are my options if I would like to repair it? Do you think is possible? Their diagnostic was "Obturator circuit needs replacement".

I tried basic cleanup and lens swap, but the black spot remains.

When I move my camera drom landscape to portrait, or just some vibration, the black object dissapear for a couple of shots but then come back with other movements.

So, as a summary, there is something its worth to save on this camera? I am techy and would like to try a DIY project, so with my problem description do you think I need the obturator?

Thanks!

EM17 wrote:

Hello, I have an old camera, Canon Rebel EOS XS, I have several years with it and it don't even take video. Is one generation earlier than the first one with the video feature. Anyway, it just developed an issue. When taking any photo, randomly some black shadow appears on the photo and the rest of the photo just appear very brillant, sometimes I only have the black shadow. And when I say shadow I mean a black object, not transparency.

I was looking if it was worth to repair so I went to a Canon certified shop in my country (MX) and the price they asked was just too much for this camera, something like 150 USD. I see some available on Amazon for 180 bucks, so I wont repair it with a certified shop. What are my options if I would like to repair it? Do you think is possible? Their diagnostic was "Obturator circuit needs replacement".

I tried basic cleanup and lens swap, but the black spot remains.

When I move my camera drom landscape to portrait, or just some vibration, the black object dissapear for a couple of shots but then come back with other movements.

So, as a summary, there is something its worth to save on this camera? I am techy and would like to try a DIY project, so with my problem description do you think I need the obturator?

Thanks!

I believe that would indicate a bad shutter.  Can you post a couple of pics?

TIA,

R2

What is an obturator?

seri_art wrote:

What is an obturator?

"Shutter" mi amigo. 

R2

R2D2 wrote:

seri_art wrote:

What is an obturator?

"Shutter" mi amigo.

R2

Gracias

From that last photo, it appears you have something loose in the mirror box. This is a mechanical failure of some kind and needs repair or you need to replace the camera body. Given its age, I'd recommend replacement with a newer Canon camera body.

EM17 wrote:

Yeah, your shutter is off the track.  It would take a significant amount of disassembly (methinks) to get at.

You might be better off upgrading to this SL1 screaming deal.

R2

Hey, if you have the electromechanical skills and the small tools required to disassemble a camera and a shutter mechanism and then put it all back together with hope of making it work, then go for it. At the worst, you'll waste only three or four hours, ruin the camera (which is already broken, so no loss), and be out only $3.99 for shutter blades. It might be a satisfying experience depending on who you are. It will certainly be a learning opportunity to see how a camera is constructed. With 50 years of experience taking things apart and putting them back together again, I wouldn't touch this.

If you'd rather spend the same time outdoors shooting photos, then buy a new camera body. Shutter failure on old bodies is not unusual. The shutter takes a beating every time you press the button and take a photo. Your XS is not economical to repair at this point, in my opinion. It's gone past its end of life from my point of view. There are plenty of inexpensive and excellent new and used cameras from Canon and other makers swirling around us.