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09/10/2011 12:30:06 PM · #1 |
In the middle of photographing my bonsai club meeting today my 7D suddenly froze up. Nothing would work, even switching it off got no response (the display on the small screen remained, showing all my settings). I discovered that removing the battery and replacing it got the camera working again, and was able to continue shooting. However periodically it froze again and I had to start all over again.
After the meeting I spoke to another member who has a Nikon DSLR and he said he had a similar problem which proved to be software related. My camera is still under guarantee, so getting it sorted out isn't a problem, and I will take this as an opportunity to get my sensor properly cleaned as well. I was just wondering if anyone else has encountered this problem and knows whether the information I was given sounds correct. Also, if this is correct would it be better to go direct to Canon than take it back to the store and have to wait for while they sent it away?
Sorry to be a nuisance again. It's been a bad week technology-wise. |
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09/10/2011 12:41:29 PM · #2 |
If you purchased very recently, the store may be willing to give you an exchange. If not, they might have something they could loan you while yours is out. If neither of those options are available, then I would send it to Canon.
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09/10/2011 12:43:15 PM · #3 |
| Canon may tell you to just take it back to the store if its still within the return period. |
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09/10/2011 12:46:14 PM · #4 |
| I've had it since December, so I don't think it's a candidate for exchange. It's only if it's a firmware upgrade that I'd go to Canon myself, just to get it back as soon as possible. A loan isn't really necessary as I still have my 400D - battery charging right now. |
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09/10/2011 12:46:16 PM · #5 |
Maybe see if there is a firmware update available. I remember my 20D back in the day doing something like that, but it went away with a firmware update.
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09/10/2011 12:57:24 PM · #6 |
My firmware certainly isn't the latest, but I've been scared to do a firmware update myself in case I mess something up. That's why I thought I might be better off going to Canon direct.
Also, a professional sensor cleaning would be nice as I've been scared to do it myself, never having got the sensor on my 400D properly clean. I'm still not sure if that was my fault or the fault of a guy at a shop who thought he was being helpful when he took the camera to the back, sprayed the sensor with canned air, then took a blank photo with the aperture wide open, and told me my sensor was clean. Needless to say it was not! |
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09/10/2011 01:09:13 PM · #7 |
| Sounds like you need to stay away from that shop. I know my local camera store will do the firmware update for you, if you purchased the camera there. Since you are leery of messing with it maybe you should just contact Canon, or find a competent dealer to help you out. |
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09/10/2011 01:13:35 PM · #8 |
It does sound like Canon may be the best bet. If you are not comfortable doing the firmware upgrade yourself, that's the route I'd suggest.
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09/10/2011 01:14:12 PM · #9 |
| The shop that used the canned air isn't the same one as I bought this camera at. I may go in to the shop where I bought it on Monday without the camera and ask their advice. |
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09/10/2011 02:35:43 PM · #10 |
| Check the manual, or look in the menus for "full reset". It may fix the problem. It resets everything back to factory defaults, and corrects any little glitches that may be making the software run a loop and lock up. |
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09/10/2011 02:42:15 PM · #11 |
Thanks,  MelonMusketeer. That's certainly worth a try. I still plan to take the 400D with me tomorrow because I won't have time tonight to check if it works.
Edit to add: I probably should do something about the firmware upgrade and sensor cleaning anyway.
Message edited by author 2011-09-10 14:44:42. |
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09/10/2011 02:44:54 PM · #12 |
| You might also bear in mind that it could be a simple software crash - it happens - it has a computer and software and sometimes things just go tits up - the fact it worked after removing the battery points to that. |
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09/10/2011 03:05:58 PM · #13 |
| Simms it worked sporadically. I had to take out the battery about 6 times over a period of about 30 minutes, during which I don't think I took more than 20 photos, probably even less. |
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09/10/2011 03:29:03 PM · #14 |
Did you try using a different CF card to see if writing to the one you have might have intermittent issues? Could be card related, and not the camera.
With that said...you should update the firmware which is a pretty straightforward procedure. I wouldn't attempt it with that card though if you go that route. I'd try a different one. You can tether and update as well. I tend to use the card method and have never had problems.
Dave |
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09/10/2011 03:48:35 PM · #15 |
| My camera will "cease to respond" if I use the mirror lock up function and forget to switch to "timer". Just throwing that out there in case you were using the mirror lock up feature. |
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09/10/2011 04:48:24 PM · #16 |
DCNUTTER I doubt it was the card as the camera was freezing totally - shutter button wouldn't go down, even the off switch didn't work.
hahn23, I wasn't using mirror lock up. I don't even use a tripod at those meetings as I have to recompose too quickly for that.
So far the firmware seems the most likely problem, but I'm not going to do it myself.
Message edited by author 2011-09-10 16:49:00. |
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09/10/2011 06:23:10 PM · #17 |
I am having the same exact problem with mine.
I can turn it on and off though and it seems to work again (i.e. not having to pull battery)
I have not updated the firmware either cos I am a big wussy girl thinking I will screw it up.
Glad to see it is just not me having issues
Not just us, pages of us!
Message edited by author 2011-09-10 18:28:42. |
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09/10/2011 06:36:28 PM · #18 |
I'll have to look at that link tomorrow,  JulietNN. It's already past my bedtime - busy day tomorrow.
I don't know whether to feel better or worse about this being a common problem, but at least I have my 400D to fall back on. Just going to be real annoying having to remember to set ISO all the time when I'm used to using Auto unless lack of noise is really important and I have a tripod on hand. And I don't use a tripod unless I really have to. |
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09/10/2011 06:36:44 PM · #19 |
Oops, duplicate post.
Message edited by author 2011-09-10 18:39:10. |
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09/12/2011 08:12:43 AM · #20 |
Having read through some of the discussions from the search JulietNN posted the problem seems to be common, but there doesn't seem to be a common solution. I think I even read somewhere that Canon were not aware of this as a common problem, which seems strange. Suggestions include problems with memory cards (a different brand from mine), battery grip (which I don't have), problems occurring only with one lens and cleaning lens contacts. Someone even spoke of the problem only starting after a firmware upgrade.
I haven't taken my camera anywhere yet as I really don't want to send it away for several weeks if this problem can be easily solved. I still have nearly 3 months left on my guarantee, so I'd rather do as much research as I can first. |
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09/12/2011 07:16:26 PM · #21 |
Well I found this as a firmware fix for the 5D Mark II:
Fixes a phenomenon in which the shutter will not release when pressing the shutter button when the auto power off function is set to "on".
That sounds very similar to my problem, so hoping it's just a firmware update required.
I told the shop about the problem and the salesman suggested I go direct to Canon. I'm not prepared to risk doing the update myself. |
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09/12/2011 07:54:38 PM · #22 |
| Looks easy.....Firmwear update inst. Make sure you select your camera model. |
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09/12/2011 08:11:28 PM · #23 |
Originally posted by David Ey:
Looks easy.....Firmwear update inst. Make sure you select your camera model. |
It may be easy, but I'm still nervous about messing it up. The camera is still under guarantee so I'd rather check things out at Canon. And as I said, it will give me an excuse to get my sensor properly cleaned. I've never quite mastered the art of sensor cleaning and don't feel ready to experiment on the 7D just yet. I'd rather play around with the 400D first and see if I can get that sensor right. |
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09/13/2011 09:13:05 AM · #24 |
You are talking about sending it to Canon anyway, so do the update. If it works then good. If it glitches out, no big deal, just send it back to Canon for the tune up and sensor clean while the warranty is still in effect.
Canon seems to be very good about taking care of their customers re warranty. One of my pals had a 5D and he accidentally smeared the grease around the sensor across the sensor. He sent it in. They cleaned it up, updated the software, and sent it back no charge.
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09/13/2011 06:56:21 PM · #25 |
If I do the update and it solves the problem I won't have an excuse to go for the sensor cleaning. The place I was told to take it (to Canon) isn't too far away from where I regularly go so I'm hoping they won't keep my camera too long. I will phone them first though.
After a couple of days using the 400D I decided to try the 7D out at home working on a tripod with timer and mirror lock-up. Aside from those settings, everything else was the same as Saturday - neither lens nor battery have been removed since then. Despite the fact that I left the camera switched on and untouched for about an hour at one stage, it gave me no problems. If it's not firmware and it's an intermittent thing, it might not be so easy to sort out. |
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