Damaged lens or sensor - Canon EOS 20D

[T Walker]

Hi there!

I recently dropped my camera (during a snowball fight) and it bounced along the pavement.
Everything seemed ok until I took some shots in the low light with some bright spots from streetlights and I noticed a large amount of 'star burst' (almost like rain) always on the same (right hand) side of the image. See attatched,

Before I go through the long winded process of insurance claims, sending it away to Canon, etc. does anyone know if this is likely to be lens damage or camera (sensor?) damage?

Any help would be really apreicated...

/t

[Photo-John]

It's probably the lens. One of the lens elements probably got jarred loose and is now misaligned. The easiest way to check is to put a different lens on it and make a test shot. If you don't have another lens available, take your camera to a camera shop and ask them if you can try another lens. Make a test shot. That will tell you if the lens is the problem.

[mwfanelli]

I agree, it looks like a lens problem. A while ago, a friend dropped a camera and it had a similiar effect on his images.
Sort of lens glaucoma.. Oddly enough, his protective UV filter didn't help!
Sorry, I couldn't resist...

[T Walker]

Hi mwfanelli and Photo-John,

Thank you so much for your consideration and confirming what I thought about it being the lens. Your quick comments are greatly apreciated and good plan about using a camerashops lens for a test! (This is the first time I've visted the forum and I'm very impressed).

cheers,
t

[Photo-John]

Hi mwfanelli and Photo-John,

Thank you so much for your consideration and confirming what I thought about it being the lens. Your quick comments are greatly apreciated and good plan about using a camerashops lens for a test! (This is the first time I've visted the forum and I'm very impressed).

Happy to serve! Spread the word! Please post some photos and reviews, too. The foundation of PhotographyREVIEW.com is user reviews. I like the sample photos you posted - even if you did take them with a goofy lens