LCD and Viewfinder Dead at DVinfo.net

Gabe Spangler · October 27th, 2009, 06:01 PM

I have a huge problem and maybe a fellow A1'er knows the answer ... or solution.

I was shooting today with my A1 and the LCD and viewfinder decided to stop working in all record modes. However, if I switch to the play mode, they work fine.

NO, it is not a the lock/standby switch, or the tape/card switch.

It's so weird, because the camera powers up in manual recording mode and the led dial lights up and everything. It's just that the LCD and viewfinder are blank, black.

Called Canon and got the usual retarded response. She asked me like 10 times if the lock switch was engaged and gave no other help.

What sucks is I was scheduled to direct and shoot a short next Monday and Tuesday. Doesn't look like that's going to happen.

What also sucks is I am only about a month past my year warranty.

Anyone else have this problem? And if so, what was the cause and fix?

Thanks.

Tripp Woelfel · October 27th, 2009, 06:19 PM

Weird one that. Sounds like a logic board issue. If the camera will actually record in spite of the LCD and viewfinder being dead, I cannot think of anything else.

You could get around this problem for your shoot by renting an external monitor or you could just rent another camera.

Sorry I don't have any better ideas.

Gabe Spangler · October 27th, 2009, 06:34 PM

Thought about renting, but at $220 a day for 3 days ... no thanks. This is nearly a no-budget project. I can't justify spending hundreds to rent a camera. I only wish the one that I spent $3500 on 13 months ago would work.

Chris Dickinson · October 28th, 2009, 11:01 AM

I had this problem a few months after buying an A1 a couple of yrs ago. I took it back to Canon and had some circuit board replace FOC by them. I guess you need to speak to Canon or the company that you bought the camera from.

Chris

Allan Black · October 28th, 2009, 02:58 PM

Gabe, did you try the reset button?

Cheers.

Ian Wright · October 28th, 2009, 03:29 PM

you could use the screen of any portable DVD player you can beg/borrow to get you through next week.

Ian
Festival Video and Audio Previews - Festival Previews Ltd

Gabe Spangler · October 28th, 2009, 03:57 PM

Yes, tried the reset button. Didn't do anything. I don't get an image even if I run through an external monitor.

Tripp Woelfel · October 28th, 2009, 06:00 PM

Short of a ball peen hammer to permanently resolve the issue, I think it needs to go back to Canon for some therapy.

Gabe Spangler · October 28th, 2009, 10:40 PM

Yep, I think you're right. I'm pretty disgusted with Canon as a brand. My $3500 product goes kaplooey one month out of warranty and they showed no real interest in going the extra mile to help. Not a good way to get repeat customers.

The image quality is good on these Canons, but the built quality sucks. I will send it in, have it repaired for some ungodly high charge I'm sure, then I will sell the thing and buy a Sony or something that doesn't break for no apparent reason.

October 27th, 2009, 06:01 PM	#1
Gabe Spangler Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Milwaukee, WI Posts: 69	LCD and Viewfinder Dead I have a huge problem and maybe a fellow A1'er knows the answer ... or solution. I was shooting today with my A1 and the LCD and viewfinder decided to stop working in all record modes. However, if I switch to the play mode, they work fine. NO, it is not a the lock/standby switch, or the tape/card switch. It's so weird, because the camera powers up in manual recording mode and the led dial lights up and everything. It's just that the LCD and viewfinder are blank, black. Called Canon and got the usual retarded response. She asked me like 10 times if the lock switch was engaged and gave no other help. What sucks is I was scheduled to direct and shoot a short next Monday and Tuesday. Doesn't look like that's going to happen. What also sucks is I am only about a month past my year warranty. Anyone else have this problem? And if so, what was the cause and fix? Thanks.

October 28th, 2009, 02:58 PM	#5
Allan Black Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Sydney. Posts: 2,887	Gabe, did you try the reset button? Cheers. __________________ Drink more tap water. On admission at Sydney hospitals more than 5% of day patients are de-hydrated.

October 27th, 2009, 06:19 PM	#2
Tripp Woelfel Trustee Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: North Conway, NH Posts: 1,745	Weird one that. Sounds like a logic board issue. If the camera will actually record in spite of the LCD and viewfinder being dead, I cannot think of anything else. You could get around this problem for your shoot by renting an external monitor or you could just rent another camera. Sorry I don't have any better ideas.

October 27th, 2009, 06:34 PM	#3
Gabe Spangler Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Milwaukee, WI Posts: 69	Thought about renting, but at $220 a day for 3 days ... no thanks. This is nearly a no-budget project. I can't justify spending hundreds to rent a camera. I only wish the one that I spent $3500 on 13 months ago would work.

October 28th, 2009, 11:01 AM	#4
Chris Dickinson Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Singapore Posts: 38	I had this problem a few months after buying an A1 a couple of yrs ago. I took it back to Canon and had some circuit board replace FOC by them. I guess you need to speak to Canon or the company that you bought the camera from. Chris

October 28th, 2009, 03:29 PM	#6
Ian Wright Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Edinburgh UK Posts: 94	you could use the screen of any portable DVD player you can beg/borrow to get you through next week. Ian Festival Video and Audio Previews - Festival Previews Ltd

October 28th, 2009, 03:57 PM	#7
Gabe Spangler Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Milwaukee, WI Posts: 69	Yes, tried the reset button. Didn't do anything. I don't get an image even if I run through an external monitor.

October 28th, 2009, 06:00 PM	#8
Tripp Woelfel Trustee Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: North Conway, NH Posts: 1,745	Short of a ball peen hammer to permanently resolve the issue, I think it needs to go back to Canon for some therapy.

October 28th, 2009, 10:40 PM	#9
Gabe Spangler Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Milwaukee, WI Posts: 69	Yep, I think you're right. I'm pretty disgusted with Canon as a brand. My $3500 product goes kaplooey one month out of warranty and they showed no real interest in going the extra mile to help. Not a good way to get repeat customers. The image quality is good on these Canons, but the built quality sucks. I will send it in, have it repaired for some ungodly high charge I'm sure, then I will sell the thing and buy a Sony or something that doesn't break for no apparent reason.