Not Again - 20D Hell Hits Again...

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II

03/30/2006 04:03:21 PM · #26

And Peter asked Jesus "How many times should I send my camera back to Canon for repair my Lord....seven times?"

And the Lord replied "Seventy times seven!"

Message edited by author 2006-03-30 16:03:32.

Nitrox

Nikon D300

03/30/2006 04:08:28 PM · #27

Turn off the IS. It won't lock up on you if you turn off the IS. Its just a workaround, but if you really want to go shoot and not have to take the lens on and off to reset the camera and you don't need for IS to be on, turn it off.

I agree that Canon needs to fix the problem. It has been an issue on the 10D and 20D bodies with the 70-200L/IS lens for a long time now.

rich

Canon EOS-40D

Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM

03/30/2006 04:21:11 PM · #28

When the camera locks up on you, what is happening exactly? Are you by any chance getting a 00 reading for aperture and have to dismount/remount the lens?

The main reason I ask is that my 100-400mm IS started doing that to me. But in my case it was not the IS, it was apparently the AF - I would still get lockups when I turned IS off, it only seemed to go away completely when I switched to manual focus.

What solved it for me was buying a contact cleaner, it comes in the shape of a pen, and cleaned the contacts on my lens. I was skeptical, but it really does seem to have fixed it. I have been out 5-6 times since with no lockups at all.

This may not apply at all to your case of course, but I figured I would throw it out there anyway.

Edit: Not sure if this is the exact pen, but very close: Battery/Electrical Contact Cleaner

Message edited by author 2006-03-30 16:26:23.

lynnesite

Canon EOS-1D X

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM II

03/30/2006 05:01:58 PM · #29

Originally posted by Nitrox:

Wow, guess I've been lucky? Nearly 37,000 actuations on the 20D bought in Jan 05, probably 90% with the 70-200 f2.8L IS, and 39,000 on the 10D before it, though I had the 70-200 f4L for a while. Since today's 30D purchase, the 20 is the backup body. That 2.8L IS lens is the gold standard for equine photographers and a lot of us use 20Ds.

I'd sure send in both lens and body for calibration. I did spend a little extra for an extended warranty on mine, just in case.

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro

03/30/2006 05:03:04 PM · #30

Originally posted by Nitrox:

a) I usually need the IS

b) I paid for the IS, and turning it off is not a solution unless Canon wants to refund me the added price of IS.

Originally posted by "rich":

When the camera locks up on you, what is happening exactly? Are you by any chance getting a 00 reading for aperture and have to dismount/remount the lens?

That's what used to happen. However, after getting the camera & lens back from Canon the unit just completely locks. Did this the 2nd time & the 3rd time. I couldn't even get the thing to shut-off. I had to pop the batteries and wait 10 minutes to drain. Um, if I am at a wedding ....how do I tell the bride...'um just wait 10 minutes'.

Originally posted by "rich":

What solved it for me was buying a contact cleaner, it comes in the shape of a pen, and cleaned the contacts on my lens.

Not the problem in my case. This occurred two weeks after getting the units back from Canon. And then again like the 3rd or 4th time using it. They replaced the whole mount assembly the last time.

I think something is up with my 20D. As the second time I had to send it back it was while using a Sigma lens. And this time while using my Canon 70-200mm IS.

I just want a working system... *sigh*

And of course, we will have a slew of challenges I like...always happens when my camera is in the shop. *lol*

rich

Canon EOS-40D

Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM

03/31/2006 07:14:14 AM · #31

Yeah, that has to be frustrating. Sorry I could not be of help, and good luck.

tfaust

Canon EOS 80D

03/31/2006 07:48:36 AM · #32

I do feel for you... this is frustrating at best! I used the 300D for a long time with never an issue. Just recently my 20D locked up with the use of the battery grip.

Edit: I agree you shouldn't have to turn off the IS to make it work, you paid a pretty penny for that feature!

Message edited by author 2006-03-31 07:49:07.

LindaLee

Canon EOS-40D

Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

03/31/2006 08:25:40 AM · #33

Saj, I am so sorry to hear of your ongoing issues. I've been there with my 20D more times than I care to count, and I feel your pain!

Which is exactly why, yesterday, I went and bought TWO 30D's!

Obviously, I haven't had them long enough to know if there are issues, but the first shots out of one of them, in low light, at ISO 1600 f2.8, are incredible!

We're leaving on vacation Saturday for 10 days, and I can't wait to see what these things can do.

Good Luck to you Saj.

Archie

Canon EOS-10D

04/02/2006 01:31:19 PM · #34

Last year I bought a 10D from a work colleague, it was a back-up to his 1D Mk2 and almost never used. I bought it as a fill in as I didn't want the 20D because of it's noisy shutter (I want to take bird pictures mainly) so I thought I'd wait and see what Canons next iteration would be. In the meantime I bought a 100-400L IS lens and once I'd sorted out the cameras idiosyncracies and capabilities have been relatively successful. Anyway, I thought I'd also like the 24-105L, but could I find one for sale - No - no shops have them in stock - I have been reading all the forums and it appears that it's a great lens IF you get a good one. There's lots of talk about people sending them back for recalibration (sometimes more than once)until you eventually get a good copy. I'm now reading the same statements / complaints about the 30D - WHY - Is Canons quality control really that bad ? I'm fairly new to Canon cameras so I'm asking all you time served users, is this usual ??

ragamuffingirl

Sony Alpha NEX-5N

04/02/2006 07:02:56 PM · #35

Originally posted by fotomann_forever:

Get Equipment Insurance and then throw it as hard as you can. :-)

::::Looks at Olympus and contemplates::::

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D

04/02/2006 07:07:46 PM · #36

!@#$% YOU CANON!!!!!

*growls*

Yes, this weekend I had planned to bring my camera to church with me because last week there was a sighting of a bald eagle. Sure enough it was there again today. And today was the most gorgeous blue sky day of the year. Here I have the opportunity to photograph a bald eagle in the wild on a most beautiful day....gone. Thanks to Canon. !@#$% $%@@$$ ##@#@

Originally posted by lhall:

Which is exactly why, yesterday, I went and bought TWO 30D's!

What was your end result with the 20D? Did Canon ever do anything for you? I'd love to buy 2 30Ds but my finances don't allow such. In fact, the 20D and 70-200mm was a "WAAAAAY" over expense for me.

I can't just write off a $4,000 loss like that. Not sure if I feel comfortable selling it off to anyone else. And I surely won't get similar compensation for it.

deapee

Kodak V803

04/02/2006 07:54:00 PM · #37

sell it get a nikon. The d200 is 10 times better than a 30d or a 5d anyway...and their tech support is way better.

canon cares about one type of camera owner -- and that's anyone that has a camera that starts with a '1d...' -- you know they get a special phone number to call when they have problems, and they get the best service...maybe ask someone for their 1800 number...or so i've heard anyway.

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 II

04/02/2006 08:17:04 PM · #38

Not an option Deapee...it's not like Canon is going to give me my 4 G's back.

There's no way I could drop another 4G's to get a Nikon D200 & 70-200mm VR lens. If I had the funds, I'd probably do so...

Cyndane

Canon EOS-350D Rebel XT

04/02/2006 10:19:41 PM · #39

Originally posted by deapee:

canon cares about one type of camera owner -- and that's anyone that has a camera that starts with a '1d...' -- you know they get a special phone number to call when they have problems, and they get the best service...maybe ask someone for their 1800 number...or so i've heard anyway.

I feel the need to defend Canon just a little. :/

The reason people who bought a 1d* get a special phone number is because they're considered professionals. They don't necessarily get the "best" service.. they just get to talk with someone who's a little more knowledgeable about cameras, rather than an entry-level guy who may or may not know a lot about the higher-end equipment. I know if I made my living from my photography, and I spent $8000 on the camera body alone, I would hope to get some preferential treatment over someone who's having a little trouble with a P&S that they use for family stuff and general snapshots. (Not trying to be argumentative or anything - just giving my idea of why it works the way it does!)

Originally posted by Archie:

I'm now reading the same statements / complaints about the 30D - WHY - Is Canons quality control really that bad ? I'm fairly new to Canon cameras so I'm asking all you time served users, is this usual ??

As for the 30D having the same complaints as the 20D... well they are pretty close to being the same, the 30D just has a few extra features. The 30D is a few hundred dollars more, and you get a larger LCD screen, Individual user settings, and a few other upgrades. It's essentially the same, just with more bells 'n' whistles.

I'm sorry that you're having trouble, Saj. It's really frustrating not to be able to use something that you spent so much on, and to have the same issue popping up again and again. I hope they do get you straightened out. :/

04/02/2006 10:47:01 PM · #40

"The reason people who bought a 1d* get a special phone number is because they're considered professionals."

I'm not even sure if you get that number for buying a 1D. I think you need to be in their "professional photographer association". Which requires you earn 50% of your income via photography.

"and to have the same issue popping up again and again."

Well, I must confess, I never get the Error00/01/99 any more. It just totally locks up these days. *lol*

Sony FE 3.5-5.6/28-70 mm OSS

04/07/2006 01:32:33 PM · #41

Received: March 30......... (3 business days / 5 days)
Accepted: April 3.............. (4 business days / 4 days)
____________________________________________

7 Business Days
9 Total Days

So they say 10 business days. So I guess I should give them till the 14th. I have a creepy feeling that they're just going to do some repair send it back to me without resolving the problem and then I'll wind up in Aruba and have my camera not working.

*growls*

Does anyone know if there is any sort of lemon law for cameras or digital equipment?

JunieMoon

Sony Alpha a7 II

04/07/2006 03:51:40 PM · #42

There is a lemon law in Connecticut. If you have to get a new item repaired 3 times in like 6 months, the dealer has to provide you with a new camera. However, you need to keep all your repair bills and make sure they all have dates.
Did you get an extended warrenty with the camera? I know people say it is a waste, but I got and extended warranty on my Sony, which is not an slr, and thankfully I have had no problems to date. I also know that when it comes to insurance, if you have a homeowners policy you can add a rider for personal property such as jewelry, camera equipment, artwork, etc. I did insure my first slr, but dropped it after about 4 years because it didn't make sense to continue to insure it. The value I would have gotten back wasn't enough to make much sense.
I hope your troubles will be solved and that Canon will get its act together. Anyway, the warranties that you get from a dealer makes it almost worth it to spend a bit more from a reputable business rather than online or from another person.

Originally posted by theSaj:

04/07/2006 03:55:36 PM · #43

"There is a lemon law in Connecticut. If you have to get a new item repaired 3 times in like 6 months."

Do you have a link? this will be the 3rd repair (under warranty) in the last 5 months. The one problem is that it'll be hard to deal with the dealer as it's two dealers. The other problem is I bought it as a kit from Dell and sold off the kit lens.

*ponders*

But I am definitely thinking I am going to have to look into the whole lemon law...

Sony 24-70mm F4 Vario-Tessar T* FE OSS

04/11/2006 02:26:51 PM · #44

Just got the camera back again. They replaced the IS & focus ring mechanism on the 70-200mm f/2.8, doesn't look like they did a thing to the 20D. I'm pretty assured in my heart I will have more problems.

*blargh*

They added a note that if problem persists please include the battery grip. Now why oh why did they not have me include it this time. It's like what the !@#$%. I even asked. Of course, we all remember the time I did include it - they lost it!

Anyways, I think if I have any more problems I am going to call Canon Professional services and be like... "Look, I'm not a pro- but I am an avid amateur with a desire to continue building my skills and move into the professional photographer arena. I plan on building a home studio in the next two years. I've already dropped $4,000 on Canon products and a couple of thousand more on accessories. I am not getting satisfactory service.

So why am I calling you? Well, to put it simply, I am hoping you can help. And if you are unable to do anything for me then I think I am going to have to strongly consider changing platforms.

*growls*

*crosses fingers and hopes things work but hopes much more so that if it breaks or fails it does so soon*

"If it fails during my wedding or in Aruba I am going to be so furious and livid that the only thing that will keep me from doing anything rash and illegal will be the fact that I will have a beautiful wife to think about first!"

Message edited by author 2006-04-11 14:30:24.

Bear_Music

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

04/11/2006 03:33:53 PM · #45

Sent you a PM...

R.

Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

04/11/2006 04:16:10 PM · #46

I do not know you well enough Bear_Music to know if you are a scholar but there is no doubt in my soul what-so-ever that you are a gentleman!

ragamuffingirl

Sony Alpha NEX-5N

04/12/2006 09:47:18 AM · #47

Saj, I think you should do your thing with letting Canon know how unhappy you are with their customer service. Tell them you have a big mouth, and you'll steer others away from Canon if you can. I mean, how many times has this camera been out for the same damn repair now? It's time for them to honor the warrenty and replace it. Tell them you know someone who was about to buy a 30D, who is now thinking of going Nikon after hearing about Canon's lousy customer service. You are the customer. They should value you!

I had a similar experience with a Sony VAIO laptop a few years ago. Circuit City had to force Sony to honor their warranty because they straight out told me they wouldn't honor the warranty. After the computer had been out five times for the same repair Circuit City replaced the computer. I doubt Sony has any idea how much buisness they've lost because of how they treated me. But, I always steer people away from Sony when I can, AND our local Circuit City tries to steer their customers away from Sony because they saw what Sony did to me. I was in there one night and heard the sales person telling a customer my story as the reason they shouldn't buy Sony.