Camera took a knock...

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Long story short. I put my camera in a wheely suitcase today and had to make it around London. At some point it seems to have taken a bit of a knock, maybe bumping it up a kerb or something.

I now can't get any life on the screen. It's a Canon 5DMkII. I can see the back screen activate, the light from it when I turn it on and off, I can make the mirror lock up and down in live view mode, I can get the 'card reading' light to flickr, but I can't take a photograph. I can't get the 'top' screen to work at all. Nothing. Not even the orange nighttime light on it. I can't make the camera focus. It's like none of the buttons will work.

Help?
 
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Have you tried giving it another tap? Had the same issue on my old 20D, little tap cured it. Failing that maybe run it in to your local Canon CPS center, they can generally do a free 5 minute diagnostic on it to tell you if its toast or repairable.
 
cw318is said:
Have you tried giving it another tap? Had the same issue on my old 20D, little tap cured it. Failing that maybe run it in to your local Canon CPS center, they can generally do a free 5 minute diagnostic on it to tell you if its toast or repairable.
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I'm not sure I want to give it a 'little tap'!

I used to be a CPS member, but then they downgraded one of my lenses to 'not L' and so I'm no longer in the club. :-(

Devastated. I make my living with this thing, but have no money for a new one.
 
My only suggestion would be take the battery and card out for an hour/overnight and check it in the morning, I wonder if its some how managed to turn the screen of with it in the case being without any power should hopefully reset any odd setting erroneously enabled but truthfully it sounds like a trip to the camera doctor might be in order
 
cw318is said:
where abouts in Essex are you?
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Last time I had my camera repaired I ran it up to Colchester, it's not far. But it was all covered under the CPS back then. I dread to think how much it will cost.

MWHCVT said:
My only suggestion would be take the battery and card out for an hour/overnight and check it in the morning, I wonder if its some how managed to turn the screen of with it in the case being without any power should hopefully reset any odd setting erroneously enabled but truthfully it sounds like a trip to the camera doctor might be in order
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That's what I've done. Will see in the morning. I seem to remember it getting broken previously when I'd been using live view for something. Well, this morning I was using live view to take pictures out the hotel window... I wonder actually if it's the same thing that has happened...
 
Charlotte

Has your lens dislodged - remove and reseat?



Also try resetting the camera by taking out both batteries (you'll lose custom settings with this). Leave out for a minute the reinsert. Reset date and see what you have.

The clock battery is on the corner near the Dara ports iirc and you'll need a small screwdriver.
 
Buck said:
Charlotte

Has your lens dislodged - remove and reseat?



Also try resetting the camera by taking out both batteries (you'll lose custom settings with this). Leave out for a minute the reinsert. Reset date and see what you have.

The clock battery is on the corner near the Dara ports iirc and you'll need a small screwdriver.
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I tried removing the lens and putting it back, perhaps I need to dig out a different lens.

Will investigate the second battery tomorrow. What's a Dara port?
 
I think he means data port, if you pop off the weather sealing you'll see a little cross headed screw at the bottom, undo this then slide out the entire corner and the battery is on a little tray.

I'd run it into Camera Repair on Severalls, they don't seem to be that concerned if you're not a fully compliant CPS member and offer the same prices but if they are busy might not be able to guarantee the CPS 2 day return. I'm not since they now only let you in with a full frame body in addition to a 7D, rather then a 7D and a load of L glass. The diagnostic is free and takes about 5 minutes whilst you wait, and the prices are generally pretty fair :)
 
cw318is said:
I think he means data port, if you pop off the weather sealing you'll see a little cross headed screw at the bottom, undo this then slide out the entire corner and the battery is on a little tray.

I'd run it into Camera Repair on Severalls, they don't seem to be that concerned if you're not a fully compliant CPS member and offer the same prices but if they are busy might not be able to guarantee the CPS 2 day return. I'm not since they now only let you in with a full frame body in addition to a 7D, rather then a 7D and a load of L glass. The diagnostic is free and takes about 5 minutes whilst you wait, and the prices are generally pretty fair :)
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Cool, thanks. I'll give them a call Monday.

Second time this camera has had to be fixed. I'm really not very impressed - last time it had an entire circuit board replacement.
 
CharlotteM said:
I'm not sure I want to give it a 'little tap'!

I used to be a CPS member, but then they downgraded one of my lenses to 'not L' and so I'm no longer in the club. :-(

Devastated. I make my living with this thing, but have no money for a new one.
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Was it definitely a knock? If so I'm sure your insurance company would deal with the problem for you.
 
RichardtheSane said:
Was it definitely a knock? If so I'm sure your insurance company would deal with the problem for you.
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Yeah... made the decision earlier in the year to take the gamble and not take camera insurance over the winter... Because nothing ever goes wrong...

I think it's the same problem as it had back in 2010. After using live view the circuitry somehow failed. Looking back at my emails at the time, it's done the same thing. Shall have to phone and try to sweet talk Canon I think.
 
CharlotteM said:
Yeah... made the decision earlier in the year to take the gamble and not take camera insurance over the winter... Because nothing ever goes wrong...

I think it's the same problem as it had back in 2010. After using live view the circuitry somehow failed. Looking back at my emails at the time, it's done the same thing. Shall have to phone and try to sweet talk Canon I think.
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That being the case, I'd certainly have a go at removing the second battery and leaving it for an hour or so. Just incase it has got itself into a silly state, and a 'cold boot' might kick it back into life.
 
Just use your spare body. If you make a living with camera gear then you need two of most things. Not having insurance is dumb. It's not meant to cover just equipment failure but professional mistakes and liability if some chump trips over your camera bag.

I'd check the mirror box is in the right place too as the 5dii is prone for that dropping out.

If you go to jobs for clients then 2 bodies is a must.
 
srichards said:
Just use your spare body. If you make a living with camera gear then you need two of most things. Not having insurance is dumb. It's not meant to cover just equipment failure but professional mistakes and liability if some chump trips over your camera bag.

I'd check the mirror box is in the right place too as the 5dii is prone for that dropping out.

If you go to jobs for clients then 2 bodies is a must.
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I'm actually a photography writer so I don't make my living quite so directly with my camera.

I'd prefer you not to question my professional insurance cover though. Just because I do not have my equipment covered for breakages does not mean that I don't have the insurances that are relevant to my profession. Trying to look smart by running other people down just makes you look like an ass, especially at a time when someone is clearly a bit desperate because they're homeless, a university student on a marginal income and facing the potential of having to suddenly find over two grand for a new camera.
 
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CharlotteM said:
I'd prefer you not to question my professional insurance cover though. Just because I do not have my equipment covered for breakages does not mean that I don't have the insurances that are relevant to my profession. Trying to look smart by running other people down just makes you look like an ass,
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With respect!

CharlotteM said:
Devastated. I make my living with this thing, but have no money for a new one.
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gramps said:
With respect!
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Well indeed. But 'making a living' can take many forms. It's really not the time to pick on someones business plan though is it, in a thread like this? It's like rubbing salt into wounds.
 
Possibly but calling someone an "ass" for pointing out an important aspect of business isn't exactly bright either - I hope it gets resolved for you fairly painlessly. :)
 
CharlotteM said:
I'm actually a photography writer so I don't make my living quite so directly with my camera.

I'd prefer you not to question my professional insurance cover though. Just because I do not have my equipment covered for breakages does not mean that I don't have the insurances that are relevant to my profession. Trying to look smart by running other people down just makes you look like an ass, especially at a time when someone is clearly a bit desperate because they're homeless, a university student on a marginal income and facing the potential of having to suddenly find over two grand for a new camera.
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That's life in self employment. Stuff breaks that you need to continue running your business. If you are a photography writer you don't need a 5dii. Make do with any old digital dslr canon body for now. I assumed you made a living from taking photos so if you'd chosen a 5dii for that then you'd need another if it died.

I say the same thing to anyone that says they haven't got insurance and that they are making a living from photography. I'm not doing you down. It's professional to have the right insurance and equipment for the work you do at all times. If the work doesn't cover the cost of insurance and equipment then your business isn't viable. That's the bottom line.
 
srichards said:
That's life in self employment. Stuff breaks that you need to continue running your business. If you are a photography writer you don't need a 5dii. Make do with any old digital dslr canon body for now. I assumed you made a living from taking photos so if you'd chosen a 5dii for that then you'd need another if it died.

I say the same thing to anyone that says they haven't got insurance and that they are making a living from photography. I'm not doing you down. It's professional to have the right insurance and equipment for the work you do at all times. If the work doesn't cover the cost of insurance and equipment then your business isn't viable. That's the bottom line.
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As always, life and business is more complicated than this very black and white view.
 
srichards said:
That's life in self employment. Stuff breaks that you need to continue running your business. If you are a photography writer you don't need a 5dii. Make do with any old digital dslr canon body for now. I assumed you made a living from taking photos so if you'd chosen a 5dii for that then you'd need another if it died.

I say the same thing to anyone that says they haven't got insurance and that they are making a living from photography. I'm not doing you down. It's professional to have the right insurance and equipment for the work you do at all times. If the work doesn't cover the cost of insurance and equipment then your business isn't viable. That's the bottom line.
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Im sure Charlotte doesnt need any defending here, just as im sure that she knows and understands the needs/benefits of insurance and back up kit. Im also certain that she wasn't asking the forum members for advice on a anything more than the issue shes currently experiencing with her camera.
 
give the girl a break she has a problem with her camera which hopefully can be fixed relatively cheap/painlessly and just wanted some help with the issue not a breakdown of every insurance policy available on the market hope you get it fixed without to much expense :) in the meantime :hug: have a hug on me
 
johnb said:
Scrap with Charlotte later. She is obviously stressed & doesn't need what may be obvious ramming down her throat at the moment
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:agree:
 
CharlotteM said:
Last time I had my camera repaired I ran it up to Colchester, it's not far. But it was all covered under the CPS back then. I dread to think how much it will cost. That's what I've done. Will see in the morning. I seem to remember it getting broken previously when I'd been using live view for something. Well, this morning I was using live view to take pictures out the hotel window... I wonder actually if it's the same thing that has happened...
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If you can't get it working with a full reboot then you'll need to get to professionally inspected.

Your loss of CPS status is irrelevant - if the camera is from 2010 (or earlier) then even if you were a Platinum CPS member the body is well out of warranty, as is the previous work - you might get a discount if Gold/Silver or a service but not a repair. You will have to pay for it, but you should be able to get a free estimate for the repair then you can work out if you want to proceed or not.

If you are in London at the moment and can make it to them when open then I'd take it to Fixation in Vauxhall, who did all of my repairs when I was with Canon, and some of my early Nikon repair work. Their estimates are good and detailed and they are an authorised Canon repair centre.

Then I'm afraid without insurance of any kind you'll have to make the decision as to whether you save/spend on the repair or go for a new body and move that one on for spares/repair. There isn't really any other option.
 
Charlotte, just ignore those who think they are better than you and who offer "advice" about your lack of insurance. .

If you get really stuck & if your camera needs to go for repair (I really hope it doesn't) I have a spare 1d3 you can borrow for a week or so to get you out of trouble.

Ian
 
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Kemble3 said:
Charlotte, just ignore those who think they are better than you and who offer "advice" about your lack of insurance. .

If you get really stuck & if your camera needs to go for repair (I really hope it doesn't) I have a spare 1d3 you can borrow for a week or so to get you out of trouble.

Ian
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Thanks for the kind offer. My partner has a couple of cameras that I can probably borrow while he swans off skiing for the next five weeks or so. But it's not *my* camera... and I'm not very precious about my kit like he is... ;-)
 
Kemble3 said:
Charlotte, just ignore those who think they are better than you and who offer "advice" about your lack of insurance. .

If you get really stuck & if your camera needs to go for repair (I really hope it doesn't) I have a spare 1d3 you can borrow for a week or so to get you out of trouble.

Ian
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I would say that this is a more helpful post, top bloke (y)
 
So has the 5DII shown any signs of co-operating on any of the suggestions? I agree with dinorock - really helpful and kind offerl.
 
Chipper said:
So has the 5DII shown any signs of co-operating on any of the suggestions? I agree with dinorock - really helpful and kind offerl.
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Nope. I'm going to drive it up to Colchester tomorrow.

Looking back over my emails it looks like an identical problem that I had before. Some weird combination of live view and USB cables not behaving together properly. I'm not sure it was a knock, I think the gauge that I thought I did yesterday has actually been there for some time.
 
Well good luck. I have a 5DII - love it… be interesting to hear what they come up with. Fingers crossed for you.
 
Bit of a straw clutch Charlotte, but check the rotary switches are not stuck half way between one position and another and that none of the buttons are stuck.
 
If desperate, I have a 20D you can borrow for a few months if ness. I work near Colchester, about 7 miles from Severalls BP.
Not an ideal camera perhaps, but with a good lens and the right peson behind it, it should be better than nothing.
 
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