Canon main dial

[Nostromo]

So I've got a Canon 50d and although it's old, when I bought it, it only had 12,000 shutter actuations, so only lightly used. I've had it for about 18 months and use it quite regularly, but wouldn't say it was anywhere near it's life expectancy.
Just recently the main dial (the one next to the shutter button, not the mode dial) has started to free wheel, if I turn it in the opposite direction to which I was turning, I can get it to work again, sometimes it'll click and be fine, other times I will have to toggle back and forth until works. When it doesn't click it won't change any settings, eg the aperture, shutter. This is a little annoying, but not the end of the world as I can use the quick menu settings screen to change aperture etc.
The camera isn't worth sending away to be fixed (it would be cheaper to buy another used one). I was just wondering if anyone else had had a similar issue and is it just going to get worse (I'm not expecting it to get any better). Could it just be that some dirt/dust has got into the workings or is it just a failure of the wheel?

 

[ecoleman]

So I've got a Canon 50d and although it's old, when I bought it, it only had 12,000 shutter actuations, so only lightly used. I've had it for about 18 months and use it quite regularly, but wouldn't say it was anywhere near it's life expectancy.
Just recently the main dial (the one next to the shutter button, not the mode dial) has started to free wheel, if I turn it in the opposite direction to which I was turning, I can get it to work again, sometimes it'll click and be fine, other times I will have to toggle back and forth until works. When it doesn't click it won't change any settings, eg the aperture, shutter. This is a little annoying, but not the end of the world as I can use the quick menu settings screen to change aperture etc.
The camera isn't worth sending away to be fixed (it would be cheaper to buy another used one). I was just wondering if anyone else had had a similar issue and is it just going to get worse (I'm not expecting it to get any better). Could it just be that some dirt/dust has got into the workings or is it just a failure of the wheel?

I could be either. from what you are saying it would suggest to me that there maybe a bit of grit in there causing an issue.

If you don't think it's worth sending in for repairs then I'd be inclined to open it up myself and try to fix it. If you can then great, but if not, nothing lost.

 

[Canon Bob]

The main dial is a small but complete module that sits under the cover with the wheel protruding. The part number is CG2-2019-000-000 and they are available online if you wish to have a go yourself.

Bob

 

[Nostromo]

I could be either. from what you are saying it would suggest to me that there maybe a bit of grit in there causing an issue.

If you don't think it's worth sending in for repairs then I'd be inclined to open it up myself and try to fix it. If you can then great, but if not, nothing lost.

The main dial is a small but complete module that sits under the cover with the wheel protruding. The part number is CG2-2019-000-000 and they are available online if you wish to have a go yourself.

Bob

Thanks for the replies
I think as the problem isn't too bad at the moment (it's an intermittent problem) I'll leave off trying to fix it myself. I've found the service manual as a pdf so if I really have to, I can have a go. Hopefully it's just a bit of grime and will clear itself (fingers crossed).

 

[ecoleman]

Thanks for the replies
I think as the problem isn't too bad at the moment (it's an intermittent problem) I'll leave off trying to fix it myself. I've found the service manual as a pdf so if I really have to, I can have a go. Hopefully it's just a bit of grime and will clear itself (fingers crossed).

It may be worth getting a can of compressed air and giving it a blast.