Cannot FF/RW tapes in my GL2

Ignacio Artiñano · December 6th, 2003, 08:35 AM

Hi Dirk.

About the Canon centre wich repaired it, is Canon Official place in Madrid/Spain, but I think it has been sent to Barcelona.

The second question yes, it was under one year warranty and they offered to me a two years more warranty for 210€. Still thinking about this point.

Diane Bogosian · December 6th, 2003, 07:22 PM

I believe my camera was sent to New Jersey and there was no charge. I used a local camera shop her in St. Louis (Schillers) which is a source for a lot of pros and pro equipment, etc. to send my camera in under warranty, even though I DID NOT PURCHASE THE CAMERA THERE. I am a regular customers of theirs, however.

I did not even have to pay shipping or handling. My camera was still under warranty.

Walter Scott · December 19th, 2003, 05:21 PM

<<<-- Originally posted by Walter Scott : So far here is my situation: I dropped off my Opturi at the local dealer on 11/17. I called them this mornng. Canon has my cam and the repair will cost $300. Oddly, this is EXACTLY the maximum amount I authorized them to spend w/o contacting me. I can expect it back 3 to 4 weeks from today. It looks like you get better results if you avoid the dealer and send it in yourself.

I have ordered a new GL2, and I paid $150 for a 4 year extended Cannon warrenty. Based on the above unpleasent experiece (the Opturi was bought in '01) Id say the $150 was worth it.

I'll let you know when I get the beast back. -->>>

OK, update time! Got the baby back on 12/18 and all is OK with it. Cost $200. they listed a LOT of parts that were replaced, looks like most of the transport system.

Miquel de Pablo · December 26th, 2003, 07:03 PM

I just got my GL2 back after I got the FF/RW problems. The repair letter says "Replaced drive gear assy. Performed tape path adjustment. Cleaned and checked all GWO."

So, two questions:

What does "GWO" mean? If everything is clean, do you think it's safe to switch tape brands? If you have switched tape brands after cleaning, let me know how it work out.

Thanks!

Ignacio Artiñano · December 27th, 2003, 01:47 AM

Hi Miquel.

I d'ont know what this GWO mean. Anyway I guess that problem has to do more with a malcfuntion during loading or unloading the tape (gear out of place?), that with the brand change as i posted above.

Nevertheless I will use only Sony brand.

Graham Bernard · December 27th, 2003, 02:52 AM

Gear out of place? Hmm... interesting. I realise you aren't saying this . . but it has got me thinking too . . .

Now on the load/unload malfunction I've had this. I've had the effect of turing "Off" the cammie and then going to remove the tape. Pop open the the side door . .nothing happens .. Close the door again and pop it open, the tape rises out of the innards. This is interesting . ..

Grazie

Alan McCormick · December 27th, 2003, 04:40 AM

There is me thinking I am doing something wrong!

I too have had this problem where nothing happens when opening the tape door, I just put it down to learning or switch in the wrong position.

Diane Bogosian · December 27th, 2003, 10:35 AM

I am guessing that GWO stands for Good Working Order, meaning that the tech checked everything and it is all in good working order....as for tape brand switching, I am still skeptical on the ramifications, personally. But if there ever was a good time to switch a brand and stick with it, it must be when it comes back from the shop.

Miquel de Pablo · December 27th, 2003, 12:22 PM

Ah! I hadn't though of that. Canon didn't know, either. By the way, if you plan on sending your camera soon, or if it's in the shop now, you should know that Canon's computers seem to be acting up. Heck, I just called, and they said my GL2 will be shipped next week!

Walter Scott · December 28th, 2003, 06:47 PM

<<<-- Originally posted by Walter Scott : ......

OK, update time! Got the baby back on 12/18 and all is OK with it. Cost $200. they listed a LOT of parts that were replaced, looks like most of the transport system. -->>>

Just discovered that the repaied tape transport is MUCH quieter than before the repair. Accidently shot some vid with the external mic unplugged only to find that the soundtrack was no longer filled with the whine and grind of the transport/motor. Good news for casual shooting.

Dirk Mitchell · December 29th, 2003, 07:43 AM

I sent my GL2 to New Jersey this past week to get it fixed. The FF/RW problem was getting worse (it really became aggravating trying to batch capture) and the camera errored for the first time in FF eating the tape in the process. I documented the symptoms and listed the repairs that they did to Diane's camera if indeed that is the problem.

The lady I talked to at Canon was extremely nice. Hopefully I'll get it back before I need it in mid-January.

Walter Scott · December 29th, 2003, 07:48 AM

<<<-- Originally posted by Dirk Mitchell : .....

The lady I talked to at Canon was extremely nice. Hopefully I'll get it back before I need it in mid-January. -->>>

Well, you might. My repair took exactly one month, but I took my cam to the local dealer and they sent it to Canon. You can prob save a few days by sending it yourself, and maybe you can get Canon to overnight it back to you if you agree to pay the shipping. Good luck and do keep us posted.

Graham Bernard · December 29th, 2003, 08:54 AM

My repair took a month too. This is London UK. I elected to go via my supplier, a major Canon dealer in London. Okay, I've got a 3 month cover on the repair so I'm kinda covered.

Grazie

Dirk Mitchell · January 16th, 2004, 07:20 AM

Got my GL2 back yesterday and it appears in "GWO." The list of repairs is similar to Diane's:

Replaced idler gear assy
Drive gear assy
Slide chassis
Performed tape path adjustment
Cleaned and checked all GWO

It took about 2 weeks and was covered under warranty although shipping to them was not covered and set me back about $70 (packaging, postage, and insurance) at the UPS Store. (Tip: find a good used box elsewhere.)

I'm very happy so far.

Dirk Mitchell · March 9th, 2004, 11:42 AM

I've had my camera back from service now for about 2 months and I just found another problem related to the eject message.

If I close the cassette compartment without a tape, say to store the camera indefinitely, the compartment will whine and whirl as it does with a tape, but then stop momentarily and then pop back up with the eject message. I would probably have never noticed this because I almost always put a tape in, which then it works fine.

I'm curious if those who got their cameras fixed with the idler gear problem now have this problem. I guess I'll be sending it back since it's still under warranty and who knows if it will get worse.

Thanks.

December 6th, 2003, 08:35 AM	#46
Ignacio Artiñano Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Madrid/Spain Posts: 44	Hi Dirk. About the Canon centre wich repaired it, is Canon Official place in Madrid/Spain, but I think it has been sent to Barcelona. The second question yes, it was under one year warranty and they offered to me a two years more warranty for 210€. Still thinking about this point. __________________ Ignacio Artiñano

December 19th, 2003, 05:21 PM	#48
Walter Scott Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Baton Rouge, LA Posts: 27	<<<-- Originally posted by Walter Scott : So far here is my situation: I dropped off my Opturi at the local dealer on 11/17. I called them this mornng. Canon has my cam and the repair will cost $300. Oddly, this is EXACTLY the maximum amount I authorized them to spend w/o contacting me. I can expect it back 3 to 4 weeks from today. It looks like you get better results if you avoid the dealer and send it in yourself. I have ordered a new GL2, and I paid $150 for a 4 year extended Cannon warrenty. Based on the above unpleasent experiece (the Opturi was bought in '01) Id say the $150 was worth it. I'll let you know when I get the beast back. -->>> OK, update time! Got the baby back on 12/18 and all is OK with it. Cost $200. they listed a LOT of parts that were replaced, looks like most of the transport system. __________________ Walter S. and Karen M: S&M Engineers! http://smengineers.net

December 27th, 2003, 01:47 AM	#50
Ignacio Artiñano Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Madrid/Spain Posts: 44	Hi Miquel. I d'ont know what this GWO mean. Anyway I guess that problem has to do more with a malcfuntion during loading or unloading the tape (gear out of place?), that with the brand change as i posted above. Nevertheless I will use only Sony brand. __________________ Ignacio Artiñano

December 27th, 2003, 04:40 AM	#52
Alan McCormick Major Player Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Chatham, UK Posts: 282	There is me thinking I am doing something wrong! I too have had this problem where nothing happens when opening the tape door, I just put it down to learning or switch in the wrong position. __________________ Alan McC

December 28th, 2003, 06:47 PM	#55
Walter Scott Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Baton Rouge, LA Posts: 27	<<<-- Originally posted by Walter Scott : ...... OK, update time! Got the baby back on 12/18 and all is OK with it. Cost $200. they listed a LOT of parts that were replaced, looks like most of the transport system. -->>> Just discovered that the repaied tape transport is MUCH quieter than before the repair. Accidently shot some vid with the external mic unplugged only to find that the soundtrack was no longer filled with the whine and grind of the transport/motor. Good news for casual shooting. __________________ Walter S. and Karen M: S&M Engineers! http://smengineers.net

December 6th, 2003, 07:22 PM	#47
Diane Bogosian Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: St. Louis, MO Posts: 55	I believe my camera was sent to New Jersey and there was no charge. I used a local camera shop her in St. Louis (Schillers) which is a source for a lot of pros and pro equipment, etc. to send my camera in under warranty, even though I DID NOT PURCHASE THE CAMERA THERE. I am a regular customers of theirs, however. I did not even have to pay shipping or handling. My camera was still under warranty.

December 26th, 2003, 07:03 PM	#49
Miquel de Pablo New Boot Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Barcelona Posts: 23	I just got my GL2 back after I got the FF/RW problems. The repair letter says "Replaced drive gear assy. Performed tape path adjustment. Cleaned and checked all GWO." So, two questions: What does "GWO" mean? If everything is clean, do you think it's safe to switch tape brands? If you have switched tape brands after cleaning, let me know how it work out. Thanks!

December 27th, 2003, 02:52 AM	#51
Graham Bernard Old Boot Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: London UK Posts: 3,633	Gear out of place? Hmm... interesting. I realise you aren't saying this . . but it has got me thinking too . . . Now on the load/unload malfunction I've had this. I've had the effect of turing "Off" the cammie and then going to remove the tape. Pop open the the side door . .nothing happens .. Close the door again and pop it open, the tape rises out of the innards. This is interesting . .. Grazie

December 27th, 2003, 10:35 AM	#53
Diane Bogosian Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: St. Louis, MO Posts: 55	I am guessing that GWO stands for Good Working Order, meaning that the tech checked everything and it is all in good working order....as for tape brand switching, I am still skeptical on the ramifications, personally. But if there ever was a good time to switch a brand and stick with it, it must be when it comes back from the shop.

December 27th, 2003, 12:22 PM	#54
Miquel de Pablo New Boot Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Barcelona Posts: 23	Ah! I hadn't though of that. Canon didn't know, either. By the way, if you plan on sending your camera soon, or if it's in the shop now, you should know that Canon's computers seem to be acting up. Heck, I just called, and they said my GL2 will be shipped next week!

December 29th, 2003, 07:43 AM	#56
Dirk Mitchell New Boot Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Flowery Branch, GA Posts: 24	I sent my GL2 to New Jersey this past week to get it fixed. The FF/RW problem was getting worse (it really became aggravating trying to batch capture) and the camera errored for the first time in FF eating the tape in the process. I documented the symptoms and listed the repairs that they did to Diane's camera if indeed that is the problem. The lady I talked to at Canon was extremely nice. Hopefully I'll get it back before I need it in mid-January. __________________ -- Dirk Mitchell

December 29th, 2003, 07:48 AM	#57
Walter Scott Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Baton Rouge, LA Posts: 27	<<<-- Originally posted by Dirk Mitchell : ..... The lady I talked to at Canon was extremely nice. Hopefully I'll get it back before I need it in mid-January. -->>> Well, you might. My repair took exactly one month, but I took my cam to the local dealer and they sent it to Canon. You can prob save a few days by sending it yourself, and maybe you can get Canon to overnight it back to you if you agree to pay the shipping. Good luck and do keep us posted. __________________ Walter S. and Karen M: S&M Engineers! http://smengineers.net

December 29th, 2003, 08:54 AM	#58
Graham Bernard Old Boot Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: London UK Posts: 3,633	My repair took a month too. This is London UK. I elected to go via my supplier, a major Canon dealer in London. Okay, I've got a 3 month cover on the repair so I'm kinda covered. Grazie

January 16th, 2004, 07:20 AM	#59
Dirk Mitchell New Boot Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Flowery Branch, GA Posts: 24	Got my GL2 back yesterday and it appears in "GWO." The list of repairs is similar to Diane's: Replaced idler gear assy Drive gear assy Slide chassis Performed tape path adjustment Cleaned and checked all GWO It took about 2 weeks and was covered under warranty although shipping to them was not covered and set me back about $70 (packaging, postage, and insurance) at the UPS Store. (Tip: find a good used box elsewhere.) I'm very happy so far. __________________ -- Dirk Mitchell

March 9th, 2004, 11:42 AM	#60
Dirk Mitchell New Boot Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Flowery Branch, GA Posts: 24	I've had my camera back from service now for about 2 months and I just found another problem related to the eject message. If I close the cassette compartment without a tape, say to store the camera indefinitely, the compartment will whine and whirl as it does with a tape, but then stop momentarily and then pop back up with the eject message. I would probably have never noticed this because I almost always put a tape in, which then it works fine. I'm curious if those who got their cameras fixed with the idler gear problem now have this problem. I guess I'll be sending it back since it's still under warranty and who knows if it will get worse. Thanks. __________________ -- Dirk Mitchell