My camera won't turn on at DVinfo.net

Darren D'Agostino · August 7th, 2009, 05:25 AM

Hi

I just set up my XHA1 to shoot something for a project and when I turn the knob to manual mode, nothing happens. In fact, none of the shooting modes turns the camera on. At first I thought it was the battery, so I popped in a freshly charged one. No luck.

The odd thing is that the VCR and External Control modes both turn the camera on and the LCD screen turns on as well. I can also playback footage I've shot already.

Anyone know what might cause this? I have to get this sucker working again to meet my deadlines ;)

Thanks

D

Colin Reid · August 7th, 2009, 05:34 AM

Hi Darren,

Turn the Lock/Standby switch from Lock to Standby and that should solve it.

Regards

Colin

Tripp Woelfel · August 7th, 2009, 05:36 AM

If you have an A1 and not an A1s, check the lock/standby switch adjacent to the record button on the right side of the camera to see that it's not in the "Lock" position. Many have fallen into this crevice.

The A1s doesn't have this switch, probably because all of those who have had this problem.

Phil Murray · August 7th, 2009, 07:02 PM

Does this happen to others all that often? The first time it happened to me (about a week after I got my XH-A) I was in a panic because my new camera stopped working! I almost took it into a repair shop before I found out the problem by finally reading the manual. It has happened one other time, but I remembered to check the standby/lock switch first. I'm more careful to avoid accidently moving it now.

Along those lines, I found myself changing a lot of things accidently and without realizing it until I noticed something different in the functioning of the camera. For instance, I've locked the handle zoom controls without realizing it. Once again, though, I learned something that I should have learned before by reading the manual.

Bill Pryor · August 8th, 2009, 09:28 AM

I think it's happened to everybody at least once. In my case I was set up to shoot an interview with Billy Bob Thornton and Virginia Madsen. They were plugging that movie that really bombed. It was a red carpet style interview, with every TV station or critic positioned along the area where they would come and stop and talk for 5 minutes to each person. We got there over an hour early and I had been doing some crowd cutaways and exteriors.

I had been taking the camera on and off the tripod and was prepared to do a handheld shot as the actors walked in from downstairs. I had set it on the floor for a few minutes. When I picked it up suddenly it wouldn't come on. I was in quite panic mode...first thing I did was change out the battery, still nothing. I switched it to play mode and it worked. So obviously something had changed. I sat there on the floor just looking at it and finally noticed that pesky switch. I felt appropriately stupid but also lucky that I hadn't inadvertantly moved the switch a minute before the dignitaries arrived. I'm glad the S model did away with that useless thing. And yes, Virginia Madsen is hotter in person even than on screen.

Somethng else that's easy to move when going on and off the tripod, or handing the camera to another person to hold while you climb up on someting, etc., is the shutter control. Mine stays at 1/48 for 24F, but on a recent shoot I suddenly noticed I had moved it to 1//60 by accident. The solution to that is to go into the menu and turn on the shutter lock.

Kevin Sawicki · August 19th, 2009, 02:17 AM

The Standby lock button scared me to death. It shipped with the lock already applied, and I thought I purchased a dead item. After contacting the guy, he explained that he always leaves his lock on cause it was easier for him, and he told me how to correct it. This definitely happens at least once to everyone. Canon should have put a warning sticker next to the lock. "Might make you $h!t your pants!"

Phil Murray · August 19th, 2009, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kevin Sawicki

Canon should have put a warning sticker next to the lock. "Might make you $h!t your pants!"

That's just about how I felt when it happened the first time!

Darin Clifton · August 22nd, 2009, 07:46 PM

OK - so I did it too...... about sent me to the Dr.! Just the tiny standby switch.... and you know the rest.

Bill Watson · August 23rd, 2009, 03:59 PM

Hmmmm. Am I the only one who really likes the standby/lock button?

I think it's a great feature. I do a fair bit of filming where it's set up the camera, set the standby switch, and wait for the action. A quick flick of the switch and I'm ready.

Brian Ford · August 23rd, 2009, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill Watson

Hmmmm. Am I the only one who really likes the standby/lock button?

Bill, I love the standby switch too. I put the camera to standby anytime I'm waiting more than two to three minutes between shots.. Once you get used to using it on a regular basis, you'll never get caught by wondering why the camera won't turn on again. Using it is such a force of habit now..

Noa Put · August 23rd, 2009, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Ford

Bill, I love the standby switch too.

Same here, use it all the time, one thing I still don't understand. When I stop filming by pressing the rec button and placing the camera in standby modus I always flip the switch to standby as well, as far as I can hear the camera stops operating (I don't hear the tapeheads spinning) but do they or is the camera still drawing power from teh batteries? Is the standby switch not turning of the power completely? During a full weddingday I actually don't turn the wheel on the side to "off", I always leave it in "tv" mode.

August 7th, 2009, 05:25 AM	#1
Darren D'Agostino New Boot Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: NY, USA Posts: 19	My camera won't turn on Hi I just set up my XHA1 to shoot something for a project and when I turn the knob to manual mode, nothing happens. In fact, none of the shooting modes turns the camera on. At first I thought it was the battery, so I popped in a freshly charged one. No luck. The odd thing is that the VCR and External Control modes both turn the camera on and the LCD screen turns on as well. I can also playback footage I've shot already. Anyone know what might cause this? I have to get this sucker working again to meet my deadlines ;) Thanks D

August 19th, 2009, 02:17 AM	#6
Kevin Sawicki Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Holmdel, NJ Posts: 81	The Standby lock button scared me to death. It shipped with the lock already applied, and I thought I purchased a dead item. After contacting the guy, he explained that he always leaves his lock on cause it was easier for him, and he told me how to correct it. This definitely happens at least once to everyone. Canon should have put a warning sticker next to the lock. "Might make you $h!t your pants!" __________________ Check out my blog at KevinSawicki.com

August 22nd, 2009, 07:46 PM	#8
Darin Clifton Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Sulligent, Alabama Posts: 132	standby................. OK - so I did it too...... about sent me to the Dr.! Just the tiny standby switch.... and you know the rest.

August 7th, 2009, 05:34 AM	#2
Colin Reid Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: London, United Kingdom Posts: 48	Hi Darren, Turn the Lock/Standby switch from Lock to Standby and that should solve it. Regards Colin

August 7th, 2009, 05:36 AM	#3
Tripp Woelfel Trustee Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: North Conway, NH Posts: 1,745	If you have an A1 and not an A1s, check the lock/standby switch adjacent to the record button on the right side of the camera to see that it's not in the "Lock" position. Many have fallen into this crevice. The A1s doesn't have this switch, probably because all of those who have had this problem.

August 7th, 2009, 07:02 PM	#4
Phil Murray Major Player Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Cusco, Peru Posts: 375	Does this happen to others all that often? The first time it happened to me (about a week after I got my XH-A) I was in a panic because my new camera stopped working! I almost took it into a repair shop before I found out the problem by finally reading the manual. It has happened one other time, but I remembered to check the standby/lock switch first. I'm more careful to avoid accidently moving it now. Along those lines, I found myself changing a lot of things accidently and without realizing it until I noticed something different in the functioning of the camera. For instance, I've locked the handle zoom controls without realizing it. Once again, though, I learned something that I should have learned before by reading the manual.

August 8th, 2009, 09:28 AM	#5
Bill Pryor Contributor Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 4,449	I think it's happened to everybody at least once. In my case I was set up to shoot an interview with Billy Bob Thornton and Virginia Madsen. They were plugging that movie that really bombed. It was a red carpet style interview, with every TV station or critic positioned along the area where they would come and stop and talk for 5 minutes to each person. We got there over an hour early and I had been doing some crowd cutaways and exteriors. I had been taking the camera on and off the tripod and was prepared to do a handheld shot as the actors walked in from downstairs. I had set it on the floor for a few minutes. When I picked it up suddenly it wouldn't come on. I was in quite panic mode...first thing I did was change out the battery, still nothing. I switched it to play mode and it worked. So obviously something had changed. I sat there on the floor just looking at it and finally noticed that pesky switch. I felt appropriately stupid but also lucky that I hadn't inadvertantly moved the switch a minute before the dignitaries arrived. I'm glad the S model did away with that useless thing. And yes, Virginia Madsen is hotter in person even than on screen. Somethng else that's easy to move when going on and off the tripod, or handing the camera to another person to hold while you climb up on someting, etc., is the shutter control. Mine stays at 1/48 for 24F, but on a recent shoot I suddenly noticed I had moved it to 1//60 by accident. The solution to that is to go into the menu and turn on the shutter lock.

August 23rd, 2009, 03:59 PM	#9
Bill Watson Major Player Join Date: May 2007 Location: Noosa Queensland Australia Posts: 248	Hmmmm. Am I the only one who really likes the standby/lock button? I think it's a great feature. I do a fair bit of filming where it's set up the camera, set the standby switch, and wait for the action. A quick flick of the switch and I'm ready.