Horizontal Streak on all 1DMkII Images

[MarkAlsop]

Some while back I gave my old 1DMkII to a deserving high school art teacher. She brought it back today because she is getting a white streak across the middle of all images. I don’t know what the actuations are but they are likely rather high because she always shoots with the drive mode set to high or low speed continuous.

I took the filter and polarizer off, shot a few frames of the blue sky at different focal lengths and got the same streak in all frames just to rule out the filters and lens.

I exposed the sensor for cleaning just to have a close look, it looks perfect though there is at least one bit of sensor dust on it, visible in the images. I used a hand blower to clean any lose debris and shut the camera off to lower the mirror.

I set the camera to manual, one shot and took a couple more shots of blue sky at a reasonable ISO/Shutter speed and still got the same streak in all images.

I seem to remember a discussion thread that indicated such streaks are caused by a malfunctioning shutter. However I would expect the bands to be right straight across the image, border to border, not cut off at an angle as shown in the sample image below.

In images that have people and other objects the area of the white band is simply way over exposed. This band is always in the same location and always the same size but less intense in underexposed images.

I’m sure she needs to send the camera to Canon for repairs but I would like to tell her what is wrong before she sends it in. So, can anyone identify the exact nature of this malfunction?

[Noel_Carboni]

I'll hazard a guess that the mirror or some part of the reflex assembly isn't swinging out of the way completely, and is reflecting a bunch of light onto the shutter.

-Noel

[michaelnotar]

by the shape of it looks like the shutter is out of whack somehow. perhaps a blade is stuck, exposing part of the sensor during all the exposure. i replaced a shutter on my 1d2, i think it was $300 or 400, i cant remember.

[michaelnotar]

there is actually 2 shutters within the one...it looks like one blade in one shutter is messed up and light is sneaking through though at quite an angle, creating perhaps the double image of the bright bar. the shutter travels vertically too..more reasons i think it is the shutter

[Duncan_Harris]

Seen almost exactly that on a MkIIn a few weeks back. It was the shutter, Canon repair about £250.

[ChuckWestfall]

It's definitely a shutter issue. Since you're based in California, your nearest Canon Factory Service Center is located here:

Canon Factory Service
15955 Alton Parkway
Irvine, CA 92618
(949) 753-4200

[MarkAlsop]

Thanks to everyone for your replies. I have forwarded Chuck's information to my friend so she can send the camera in for repairs. She has my old 20D for backup since she needs a camera everyday for her work.

Thanks again.