HELP! Canon EOS 7D Problem

[nyodreamz9]

Forgive me if this topic is posted elsewhere but I wasn't able to find any info for this particular issue I am currently experiencing.  So, I go to use my 7D after no use for a couple of days to find that when I look through the viewfinder the camera appears foggy and will not focus in either AF nor manual mode.  This issue is also present with or without a lens.  It almost seems that there is some sort of film inside the viewfinder.  Taking advice I found about other issues, I snapped a few photos to find them rendered with the distortion.  I don't believe this is a focusing issue because in AF the camera attempts to focus but cannot nor am I able to focus manually.

I appreciate any help.

Thanks,

Terrance

[Bob Atkins]

It's very hard to diagnose the problem from the information provided.

Typical problems with the viewfinder image would include:

(1) The viewfinder diopter setting is wrong, so the screen is out of focus. The image will never appear to be in focus if this is the case, though the actual images should be sharp. You can adjust the diopter setting using the small wheel at the side of the viewfinder.

(2) The viewfinder screen is not properly seated. It may have been displaced by a shock to the camera, or it may not have been seated properly from the start and has moved even further out of position. Again the actual images should not be affected but the image on the screen will never be in focus.

[nyodreamz9]

Thanks for your reply Bob.  I tried changing the diopter setting which has little to no effect on the issue.  It almost seems that somebody placed a frosted light reflector in the camera.  When I look inside the body it there is a part of the reflector system that seems to have condensation on it but I can't be sure.  The problem has me worried that something major has happened. 

[Bob Atkins]

Well, there could be condensation. If you take a camera into a hot and humid environment when it's cold, moisture will condense on it. Eventually that moisture will evaporate, usually leaving no damage. If that's the case, remove the batteries from the camera and just let the condensation evaporate somewhere dry.

It shouldn't affect the image though as when you actually take a shot the mirror moves out of the way and the viewfinder optics are not involved in any way. I suppose there could be condensation on the sensor too.

Condensation is more often a problem that happens inside lenses than inside the camera, though either is possible.

The reflex mirror in the camera does have a slight pattern visible on the surface. It's subtle, but it's there and it's normal.

You may also have condensation or some other substance on the eyepiece. I presume you've cleaned that.

[nyodreamz9]

Fewwww!  The weather been unnaturally warm here in Germany this year and I suppose it's possible running the AC in the car and the heat and humidity caused the condensation thus, your advice worked Bob.  Thank you so very much!  I was really worried about having to send my camera in for repair!

[Bob Atkins]

Well, don't complain to me about heat and humidity! Last week here (NJ, USA) it topped 100F (38C) on several days and today it's stll about 95F (35C) and very humid indeed. I think it's the hottest July on record.

Taking equipment in and out of air conditioning can certaily result in condensation. One way to lessen the effect is to seal the camera and lens in a plastic bag and allowing it to come up to ambient temperature before opening the bag. That way only the small amount of moisture in the bag can condense.

Hope your heat wave passes. I'm certainly looking forward to temperatures back down into the 80s here!