Is my Canon faulty?

[Mongwopman]

Right, how do I get the data?

[Donald]

Right, how do I get the data?

What post-processing software are you using?

Somewhere, there is a a button or menu option that says something like 'Show image information'. That's what you're looking for.

[arith]

You could try this site:

http://regex.info/exif.cgi

[Mongwopman]

Oh crud, I dont have any software as im on my work machine.

[thienthu]

If you use Google , try Picasa 3, it will show the data. Good luck

[Mongwopman]

Alright, here we go. Bear in mind they are not fantastic, I had to do them fairly quick as I was out with lunch with co-workers.



Camera: Canon EOS 400D
Also known as: Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi (US); Canon Kiss Digital X (Japan)
Lens: Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 [II]
Shot at 31 mm
Exposure: Manual exposure, 1/125 sec, f/4.5, ISO 200
Flash: Off, Did not fire
Focus: One-shot AF, with a depth of field of from 0.46 m to 0.59 m.
Date: April 19, 2011 1:25:15PM (timezone not specified)
(6 hours, 52 minutes, 57 seconds ago, assuming image timezone of US Pacific)
File: 1,880 × 2,816 JPEG (5.3 megapixels)
1,593,410 bytes (1.5 megabytes) Image compression: 90%


Lens: Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 [II]
Shot at 31 mm
Exposure: Manual exposure, 1/125 sec, f/4.5, ISO 100
Flash: Off, Did not fire
Focus: One-shot AF, with a depth of field of from 0.59 m to 0.77 m.
Date: April 19, 2011 1:25:23PM (timezone not specified)
(6 hours, 50 minutes, 34 seconds ago, assuming image timezone of US Pacific)
File: 1,880 × 2,816 JPEG (5.3 megapixels)
1,661,956 bytes (1.6 megabytes) Image compression: 90%


Lens: Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 [II]
Shot at 31 mm
Exposure: Manual exposure, 1/15 sec, f/4.5, ISO 100
Flash: Off, Did not fire
Focus: One-shot AF, with a depth of field of from 0.59 m to 0.77 m.
Date: April 19, 2011 1:25:37PM (timezone not specified)
(6 hours, 48 minutes, 53 seconds ago, assuming image timezone of US Pacific)
File: 1,880 × 2,816 JPEG (5.3 megapixels)
710,559 bytes (0.68 megabytes) Image compression: 96%


Lens: Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 [II]
Shot at 31 mm
Exposure: Manual exposure, 1/30 sec, f/4.5, ISO 100
Flash: Off, Did not fire
Focus: One-shot AF, with a depth of field of from 0.59 m to 0.77 m.
Date: April 19, 2011 1:25:52PM (timezone not specified)
(6 hours, 47 minutes, 59 seconds ago, assuming image timezone of US Pacific)
File: 1,880 × 2,816 JPEG (5.3 megapixels)
1,074,410 bytes (1.0 megabytes) Image compression: 93%


Lens: Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 [II]
Shot at 31 mm
Exposure: Manual exposure, 1/125 sec, f/4.5, ISO 100
Flash: Off, Did not fire
Focus: One-shot AF, with a depth of field of from 0.46 m to 0.59 m.
Date: April 19, 2011 1:26:00PM (timezone not specified)
(6 hours, 46 minutes, 56 seconds ago, assuming image timezone of US Pacific)
File: 1,880 × 2,816 JPEG (5.3 megapixels)
1,743,306 bytes (1.7 megabytes) Image compression: 89%


Lens: Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 [II]
Shot at 31 mm
Exposure: Manual exposure, 1/400 sec, f/4.5, ISO 100
Flash: Off, Did not fire
Focus: One-shot AF, with a depth of field of from 0.59 m to 0.77 m.
Date: April 19, 2011 1:26:08PM (timezone not specified)
(6 hours, 45 minutes, 56 seconds ago, assuming image timezone of US Pacific)
File: 1,880 × 2,816 JPEG (5.3 megapixels)
1,698,531 bytes (1.6 megabytes) Image compression: 89%

[Donald]

First thing I see is that you're in Manual. I thought this was an issue about being in Tv mode.

So, if you are saying that you are in Tv mode, then the camera is saying you are in Manual and, as such is expecting you to set both the shutter speed and aperture value.

We can see this is not happening by the fact that although the shutter speed is adjusting in each of the images, the Aperture is remaining at f4.5. So if you are saying that the dial is definitely set at Tv, there's a major problem. The camera would appear to be stuck in Manual.

ps - I see you're also shooting in JPEG as opposed to RAW. That's got nothing to do with this problem, but switching will allow you to create better images.

[Mongwopman]

Oh dammit! I think you are right. i was in a rush. Sorry!

Will redo after work while there is still light and post later tonight. Im such a n00b!

[arith]

Too many cooks and all that old chap; from the last image I think it equates to 1/200 @ f6.4 100 iso but it is 1 stop underexposed if you expose to the right. So it should be set to 1/100 @f6.4 100 iso which doesn't look all that far out.

The exif is included in the images here.

[Mongwopman]

Took new ones on Tv, various speeds.


Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 [II]
Shot at 31 mm
Exposure: Auto exposure, Shutter priority AE, 1/100 sec, f/10, ISO 100, Compensation: -1
Flash: Off, Did not fire
Focus: One-shot AF, with a depth of field of from 81.91 m to inf.
Date: April 19, 2011 6:22:43PM (timezone not specified)
(6 hours, 7 minutes, 25 seconds ago, assuming image timezone of US Pacific)
File: 1,880 × 2,816 JPEG (5.3 megapixels)
1,719,294 bytes (1.6 megabytes) Image compression: 89%


Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 [II]
Shot at 22 mm
Exposure: Auto exposure, Shutter priority AE, 1/100 sec, f/4, ISO 100, Compensation: -1
Flash: Off, Did not fire
Focus: One-shot AF, with a depth of field of from 5.46 m to inf.
Date: April 19, 2011 6:23:01PM (timezone not specified)
(6 hours, 6 minutes, 36 seconds ago, assuming image timezone of US Pacific)
File: 1,880 × 2,816 JPEG (5.3 megapixels)
1,693,452 bytes (1.6 megabytes) Image compression: 89%


Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 [II]
Shot at 22 mm
Exposure: Auto exposure, Shutter priority AE, 1/100 sec, f/5.6, ISO 100
Flash: Off, Did not fire
Focus: One-shot AF, with a depth of field of from 3.14 m to 5.46 m.
Date: April 19, 2011 6:23:39PM (timezone not specified)
(6 hours, 6 minutes, 16 seconds ago, assuming image timezone of US Pacific)
File: 1,880 × 2,816 JPEG (5.3 megapixels)
2,103,215 bytes (2.0 megabytes) Image compression: 87%


Auto exposure, Shutter priority AE, 1/200 sec, f/7.1, ISO 100
Flash: Off, Did not fire
Focus: One-shot AF, with a depth of field of from 5.46 m to inf.
Date: April 19, 2011 6:24:35PM (timezone not specified)
(6 hours, 6 minutes, 13 seconds ago, assuming image timezone of US Pacific)
File: 1,880 × 2,816 JPEG (5.3 megapixels)
2,131,846 bytes (2.0 megabytes) Image compression: 87%


Auto exposure, Shutter priority AE, 1/250 sec, f/5.6, ISO 100
Flash: Off, Did not fire
Focus: One-shot AF, with a depth of field of from 5.46 m to inf.



Auto exposure, Shutter priority AE, 1/60 sec, f/5.6, ISO 100
Flash: Off, Did not fire
Focus: One-shot AF, with a depth of field of from 81.91 m to inf.


Auto exposure, Shutter priority AE, 1/60 sec, f/16, ISO 100
Flash: Off, Did not fire
Focus: One-shot AF, with a depth of field of from 81.91 m to inf.


Auto exposure, Shutter priority AE, 1/15 sec, f/10, ISO 100
Flash: Off, Did not fire
Focus: One-shot AF, with a depth of field of from 5.46 m to inf.

Didnt play with iso much, is that a bad thing?

[Nass]

Initial impression would be that it doesn't look broken to me - more a simple case of initial user error =). I'd suggest that the best thing for you to do would be to understand what the various metering modes actually do, what colour temperature means and then to start playing a little bit with bracketing to get a set of exposures, one of which will be about right.

[Donald]

I agree with Nass. All looks to be in perfect working order.

I would suggest you get into close study of the tutorials on here about exposure and, as Nass says, metering modes. Apart from that problem with the onboard flash, you seem to have a camera that's working fine. Now it's all about learning and practice ... and practice and learning ... and then more learning and practice. Get to know your camera inside out so that it becomes and extension of your hands and fingers. Maybe you never got a user manual with it. Try and get a hold of one.

[Mongwopman]

Ahh awesome guys! Im very pleased to hear that the actual fault is just me! HAHA!

As i have stated previously I am a total noob and I have been trying to do alot of reading up etc. I inted making the camera an extension of my hand. I have glanced over the tutorials on this site and they are very informative, sometimes i find myself lost in all the jargon and technicals etc, but never fear I will press on.

Thanks again for the help.

[Dave Humphries]

Hi Mong,

Welcome to the CiC forums from me.

My initial thoughts are it had been dropped, explaining the damaged flash and possible other problems.

However, from the latest above, it does seem to be working OK.

Do have a read of the CiC tutorials, they'll help you understand what the terminology means.

If the on camera flash is working, but dim, it could just be the reflector inside that has come adrift and if you have an engineer friend who is trustworthy and handy with superglue, you have nothing much to lose by attempting a fix on the basis of "don't make it worse, but don't worry if you can't mend it" (but battery out or s/he could get a shock ), but I probably shouldn't suggest it - and obviously; don't, if you might want to take it back to whoever sold it to you.

Looks like you're UK based

Cheers,

[Mongwopman]

Thanks Dave, if i look att he flash unit I can see like a broken "glass" inside, like a round glass tube thing. Weird. I have my eye on an external flash on eBay for £30.00 so im not too fussed.

[Colin Southern]

I have my eye on an external flash on eBay for £30.00 so im not too fussed.

You might like to run the make & model past us here - flashes have varying degrees of compatability and functionality.

[Mongwopman]

Copied and pasted straight from the ebay page.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...=STRK:MEWAX:IT

This flash speedlite YN-460 is designed for all Cameras except Sony and Minolta.
**very small and light.
Main Function Constructions Including:
**Reflector/Soft board,
**Diffusing board,
**Optic control sensor,
**Assist light,
**Flash head,
**Battery cover,
**Lock ring,
**Hot shoe mount,
**Connect point.
**Power Switch,
**Mode Select Button,
**Pilot Signal Light Button,
**Flash Power Level Button,
**Test Button,
**Mode Select Indicator.
Parameters

Flash index: 33
Circuit design: IGBT
Up/down ward angle: 0-90 degree
Left/right angle: 0-270 degree
Power Source: 4 X AA size batteries (Alkaline or Ni-MH are usable)
Battery Life: 100 - 1500 times (with alkaline batteries)
Recycle Time: 5 sec(with alkaline batteries)
Color Temperature: 5600K
Flash Duration: 1/800S - 1/20000S
Flash adjustment: 7 difference flash power level ( 1/1, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/16, 1/32, 1/64 )
Power Saving: " Stand by mode, 30mins to power off mode. 60mins to power off when using the optic mode. "
Dimensions: 72X135X85mm
Net Weight: 250g
Note: 1.This above content is followed the test form of Manufacturer.
2. This YN-460 can NOT work on TTL mode.
* Suitable For: 　
All Canon SLR cameras
All Nikon SLR cameras
All Olympus SLR cameras
All Pentax SLR cameras
All Sigma SLR cameras

[Colin Southern]

Ah.

Sorry, but personally I wouldn't touch these with a barge pole.

Despite their dubious quality, from what I can tell, they're strictly manual operation - so you have to set the output power yourself.

I'd suggest looking at something like the Canon 430EX II - which is designed to work properly with your camera.

[Mongwopman]

Daaaamn, thats expenisve! Thats quite a tad over my budget!

[Colin Southern]

Daaaamn, thats expenisve! Thats quite a tad over my budget!

Which is better value for money ... something that's cheap but isn't fully supported and probably won't work very well, or something that costs more, but is guaranteed to be high quality and fully compatible with your camera?

If you think the 430EX II is expensive, look up the 580EX II (and I have 4 of them!).