"Check The Lens" Error at DVinfo.net

Ling Jun · April 7th, 2004, 06:07 PM

Dear Board,

Just today my camera is shooting me a "Check The Lens" error message. The image is out of focus and I am unable to zoom and focus. It allows me to record but with that exact setting.

Has anyone else encountered such an issue? I checked both lens and camera for any broken/dirty parts and everything was in good condition.

Thanks for your help in advance!

Cheers,
John

edit - I also removed the lens itself to inspect parts. And re-inserted it several times before coming to this question.

Don Palomaki · April 7th, 2004, 07:14 PM

The "Check lens" error message appears if no lens is mounted, lens is not mounted fully, or there is a communication problem between the lens and body (which could be as simple as dirty contracts - or far mor serious). If you can get hands on another XL1, try its lens to isolate the problem to the lens or body.

Ken Tanaka · April 7th, 2004, 07:59 PM

Yup. Dismount the lens, check the contacts on the body and the lens, clean if needed. Remount. If the problem persists, remove the main battery -and- the back-up (watch) battery for an hour or so. Replace and check. If the problem persists, get your checkbook out and send the camera to Canon service.

Ling Jun · April 8th, 2004, 12:09 PM

Thank you much for your advice so far. I checked the lens and body and the the areas in which they connect - both seem clean and fine.

Just to know, how would/should I clean the contacts? Any special procedure?

I will try that battery removal procedure as Ken recommended.

Thanks again folks!

Ken Tanaka · April 8th, 2004, 12:58 PM

Denatured alcohol and a FOAM swab.

Chris Gaston · August 11th, 2004, 01:13 PM

This has just happend to me. I have returned the camera to Canon under warranty. What was the outcome of your problem?

Ling Jun · August 15th, 2004, 06:38 PM

<<<-- Originally posted by Chris Gaston : This has just happend to me. I have returned the camera to Canon under warranty. What was the outcome of your problem? -->>>

I called Canon up to see if I could troubleshoot the problem a little more with a phone tech. He suggested this amusing solution to an otherwise extremely aggravating problem.

- Disconnect your lens from the camera body.
- Take the eraser at the end of any wooden pencil and wipe over the len's connectors and Body's connectors. Blow away any eraser rubbings. Connect the lens back to the camera and the problem is solved.

I love how the highly technological world we live in can still have such simple organic solutions.

Ken Tanaka · August 15th, 2004, 06:45 PM

The Canon technicians must be lurkers here.

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthrea...ghlight=eraser
http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthrea...ghlight=eraser

Chris Gaston · August 16th, 2004, 09:45 AM

Thanks for the reply, I did try that prior to returning the camera. Canon have had it for a week now with no response via the dealer, are Canon that slow everywhere?

Don Palomaki · August 16th, 2004, 08:01 PM

Did you send it to Canon via the dealer? I found in the past that sending an XL1 direct to canon usually winds up being less than 5 work days plus shipping time. Going via a dealer could add time depending on the dealer.

Chris Gaston · August 17th, 2004, 11:25 AM

Don, I delivered it to the dealer in person and the Canon service centre is 5 miles down the road. I didn't realise I could do it direct. The dealer informs me that the standard turn around time from Canon UK is two to three weeks and there doesn't appear to be any hurry when it is under warranty. As I am planning to video Red Kites in about a week, the delay is anoying as the trip may have to be cancelled.

Devin Doyle · August 17th, 2004, 12:54 PM

Chris - I sent my GL1 directly into Canon USA for a faulty LCD and the turnaround was 2-3 weeks. Via a dealer I'm almost certain it would take longer. I highly recommend renting or borrowing another camera to shoot your project ASAP.

Chris Gaston · August 17th, 2004, 01:33 PM

Devin, I think that may be the best bet. Thanks to everyone for their input.

April 7th, 2004, 06:07 PM	#1
Ling Jun Tourist Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Los Angeles, California Posts: 3	"Check The Lens" Error Dear Board, Just today my camera is shooting me a "Check The Lens" error message. The image is out of focus and I am unable to zoom and focus. It allows me to record but with that exact setting. Has anyone else encountered such an issue? I checked both lens and camera for any broken/dirty parts and everything was in good condition. Thanks for your help in advance! Cheers, John edit - I also removed the lens itself to inspect parts. And re-inserted it several times before coming to this question.

April 7th, 2004, 07:14 PM	#2
Don Palomaki Wrangler Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Northern VA Posts: 4,487	The "Check lens" error message appears if no lens is mounted, lens is not mounted fully, or there is a communication problem between the lens and body (which could be as simple as dirty contracts - or far mor serious). If you can get hands on another XL1, try its lens to isolate the problem to the lens or body. __________________ dpalomaki@dspalomaki.com

April 7th, 2004, 07:59 PM	#3
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	Yup. Dismount the lens, check the contacts on the body and the lens, clean if needed. Remount. If the problem persists, remove the main battery -and- the back-up (watch) battery for an hour or so. Replace and check. If the problem persists, get your checkbook out and send the camera to Canon service. __________________ Lady X Films: A lady with a boring wardrobe...and a global mission. Hey, you don't have enough stuff! Buy with confidence from our sponsors. Hand-picked as the best in the business...Really! See some of my work one frame at a time: www.KenTanaka.com

April 8th, 2004, 12:58 PM	#5
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	Denatured alcohol and a FOAM swab. __________________ Lady X Films: A lady with a boring wardrobe...and a global mission. Hey, you don't have enough stuff! Buy with confidence from our sponsors. Hand-picked as the best in the business...Really! See some of my work one frame at a time: www.KenTanaka.com

August 15th, 2004, 06:45 PM	#8
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	The Canon technicians must be lurkers here. http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthrea...ghlight=eraser http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthrea...ghlight=eraser __________________ Lady X Films: A lady with a boring wardrobe...and a global mission. Hey, you don't have enough stuff! Buy with confidence from our sponsors. Hand-picked as the best in the business...Really! See some of my work one frame at a time: www.KenTanaka.com

April 8th, 2004, 12:09 PM	#4
Ling Jun Tourist Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Los Angeles, California Posts: 3	Thank you much for your advice so far. I checked the lens and body and the the areas in which they connect - both seem clean and fine. Just to know, how would/should I clean the contacts? Any special procedure? I will try that battery removal procedure as Ken recommended. Thanks again folks!

August 11th, 2004, 01:13 PM	#6
Chris Gaston New Boot Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Brighton UK Posts: 17	This has just happend to me. I have returned the camera to Canon under warranty. What was the outcome of your problem?

August 15th, 2004, 06:38 PM	#7
Ling Jun Tourist Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Los Angeles, California Posts: 3	<<<-- Originally posted by Chris Gaston : This has just happend to me. I have returned the camera to Canon under warranty. What was the outcome of your problem? -->>> I called Canon up to see if I could troubleshoot the problem a little more with a phone tech. He suggested this amusing solution to an otherwise extremely aggravating problem. - Disconnect your lens from the camera body. - Take the eraser at the end of any wooden pencil and wipe over the len's connectors and Body's connectors. Blow away any eraser rubbings. Connect the lens back to the camera and the problem is solved. I love how the highly technological world we live in can still have such simple organic solutions.

August 16th, 2004, 09:45 AM	#9
Chris Gaston New Boot Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Brighton UK Posts: 17	Thanks for the reply, I did try that prior to returning the camera. Canon have had it for a week now with no response via the dealer, are Canon that slow everywhere?

August 16th, 2004, 08:01 PM	#10
Don Palomaki Wrangler Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Northern VA Posts: 4,487	Did you send it to Canon via the dealer? I found in the past that sending an XL1 direct to canon usually winds up being less than 5 work days plus shipping time. Going via a dealer could add time depending on the dealer. __________________ dpalomaki@dspalomaki.com

August 17th, 2004, 11:25 AM	#11
Chris Gaston New Boot Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Brighton UK Posts: 17	Don, I delivered it to the dealer in person and the Canon service centre is 5 miles down the road. I didn't realise I could do it direct. The dealer informs me that the standard turn around time from Canon UK is two to three weeks and there doesn't appear to be any hurry when it is under warranty. As I am planning to video Red Kites in about a week, the delay is anoying as the trip may have to be cancelled.

August 17th, 2004, 12:54 PM	#12
Devin Doyle Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 188	Chris - I sent my GL1 directly into Canon USA for a faulty LCD and the turnaround was 2-3 weeks. Via a dealer I'm almost certain it would take longer. I highly recommend renting or borrowing another camera to shoot your project ASAP. __________________ http://devin.par-t-com.net

August 17th, 2004, 01:33 PM	#13
Chris Gaston New Boot Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Brighton UK Posts: 17	Devin, I think that may be the best bet. Thanks to everyone for their input.