My finished video done despite the lockups and heat warning is here Shooting China’s 60th anniversary parade with the 7D, 5DmkII and Nikon D700 DSLR News Shooter (http://www.dslrnewsshooter.com/2009/10/01/shooting-chinas-60th-anniversary-parade-with-the-7d-5dmkii-and-nikon-d700/)

Hope I can figure out a work around for this, cool box maybe?? it shouldn't come to that.

Dan

What frame rate were you shooting at? Do you get lock ups at 1080 24p?

*edit* read the excerpt. So the whole day you were shooting 720 60p with 7D? No 108024p at all?

Randy, yes it was 720p all day for this one.

Dan

I wonder if the flash capacitor (http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=zh-CN&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.photofans.cn%2Fforum%2Fshowthread.php%3Fforumid%3D55%26threadyear%3D2009%26thread id%3D85805) creates any heat?

Dan, have you seen heating problems when shooting 1080p at 24fps or just in 720P 60fps?

I was serious about the chemical cold pack.

I shoot with an external monitor in usually cool conditions and have never seen the warning. A camera on rails should cool better than one held in hand.

Is it possible to disable the LCD?

Amazing that some of the guys with preprod units didn't report this.

I don't see how you could shoot with the LCD disabled, except with a separate monitor and camera on a tripod. That would eliminate lots of hand held work.

I don't see how you could shoot with the LCD disabled, except with a separate monitor and camera on a tripod. That would eliminate lots of hand held work.
If it's on a tripod why can't you use the viewfinder?

Is it possible to disable the LCD?



Plug in an HDMI monitor

If, in fact, it runs cooler on a tripod, I think for handheld shooting few people would be doing continuous 30+ minute shots where overheating might be an issue.

Just a thought which might give people a little less concern.

I've use the Canon T1i for months now and this is something that I've dealt with when shooting 720 30p outside in the sun for prolonged periods. Shooting at night outdoors has not posed a problem yet though. It is pretty consistent if I keep the LCD on and run around getting clips at an event. Usually works fine for at least 30-45 minutes before I have to let it sit for about 10 minutes. I try to put it in a cool dark place but even if I put it in the bag out of the sun it's usually fine after a few minutes. And the grip does get extremely hot to the touch.

I really think the LCD is a big heat generator as well as the battery itself. I don't mean to discount the processors or the sensor for generating heat though. I have changed the battery while the warning symbol is on and it's hot enough that I can't put it in my pocket until it cools off.

I've been using a production 7D for the last two days and it hasn't happened at all. Although the temperature + humidity here in Florida has dropped tremendously within the last week. I also haven't put the 7D through nearly what I would at a normal event yet though. Colder Climates without as much humidity as we have here in the south are probably in much better shape.

What are the odds that Canon could fix it with a Firmware update? My current solution is to grab the second camera, but that is just a band-aid.

-Michael

If it's on a tripod why can't you use the viewfinder?

The mirror is flipped up to expose the sensor while recording video - meaning the viewfinder is blacked out.

-Michael

................
What are the odds that Canon could fix it with a Firmware update? My current solution is to grab the second camera, but that is just a band-aid.

-Michael

Very little. There is no active cooling like a laptop.

Humidity shouldn't be a factor.

The battery grip option might help by moving the battery away from the electronics

My finished video done despite the lockups and heat warning is here Shooting China’s 60th anniversary parade with the 7D, 5DmkII and Nikon D700 DSLR News Shooter (http://www.dslrnewsshooter.com/2009/10/01/shooting-chinas-60th-anniversary-parade-with-the-7d-5dmkii-and-nikon-d700/)

Hope I can figure out a work around for this, cool box maybe?? it shouldn't come to that.

Dan

I enjoyed watching your movie clip and time-lapse Dan. Some of the tighter images of slowed-down walk pasts and fly-overs contained some powerful imagery, with great framing of subjects and colour.

I suppose when the D7 stopped working you simply picked up the 5D MK II and continued filming or taking stills with the D700 until the 7D cooled down. But if you ONLY had the 7D with you do you think you would have missed some vital footage? (I think so!).

Have you found any problem mixing the 5D video footage with that of the D7?

Once again, very nice work Dan. Was any of that to be used for the Guardian?

After reading your web page, Dan, I now realise that you probably didn't have quick access to the 5D for use as back-up due to it being clamped to a lampost! :)

I just placed my 7D on the coffee table and aimed it at the HD TV.

I'm on my 2nd 16GB card. Got 47 minutes on the first card with no more than 2-3 seconds between stop and start.

Shot 1080p at 30 fps with a shutter speed of 60. Used custom settings (mostly -2 or -3 on everything but sharpness which was -1) w/ a Nikon prime lens.

I'm currently into a 2nd card, probably about 1-2 minutes between changes as camera stopped with card full.

Haven't seen any warnings or anything else that shouldn't be there.

I'd take the camera back and exchange it. Most dealers will do that although they probably don't have another to give you.

It's not warm in here, probably around 70 F.

Good Luck.

70f is fairly cool for testing for this problem, Jim. I would try the tests again in hotter outdoor conditions to see if the results are the same.

Once again, based on my tests from yesterday, my take on it is that it seems like an issue only for the 60fps modes (720p60 and 480p60). I didn't see it at 1080p30 or 1080p24, and I pushed it even harder with continuous recording in those modes... still indoors, though.

Once again, based on my tests from yesterday, my take on it is that it seems like an issue only for the 60fps modes (720p60 and 480p60)
One hypothesis would be that the 60fps mode is working the sensor harder since it is scanning it twice as fast as the 30fps mode. Here is a big question for you folks with a 7D: is the rolling shutter reduced in 60fps mode?

Yeah, some outdoor tests would be nice, in a warm place like Austin.

Currently there's a cold front in CenTex (finally). Austin won't go above 82 deg. F. (and yes folks, that is indeed a cold front in this neck of the woods... we had about 60 days of triple-digit temps this summer).

Here's Jon Fairhurst's suggestion for a rolling shutter test:

http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/canon-eos-7d-hd/461346-volunteer-needed-so-we-can-measure-rolling-shutter.html

I've got a busy day in front of me and I doubt I can get to it.

I remember those days in Austin from my deep dark past at UT. I left my last final in mid afternoon wearing a short sleeve shirt and before I was 100 miles north it was 20 degrees and freezing rain. Texas weather.

During one of my trips to Texas there were people actually dying due to the heat (the hottest in 100-years), and I spent most of my time in air-conditioned cars and buildings both day & night. Opening the car door was like being hit by a brick wall!

I've use the Canon T1i for months now and this is something that I've dealt with when shooting 720 30p outside in the sun for prolonged periods. Shooting at night outdoors has not posed a problem yet though. It is pretty consistent if I keep the LCD on and run around getting clips at an event. Usually works fine for at least 30-45 minutes before I have to let it sit for about 10 minutes. I try to put it in a cool dark place but even if I put it in the bag out of the sun it's usually fine after a few minutes. And the grip does get extremely hot to the touch.

I really think the LCD is a big heat generator as well as the battery itself. I don't mean to discount the processors or the sensor for generating heat though. I have changed the battery while the warning symbol is on and it's hot enough that I can't put it in my pocket until it cools off.

I've been using a production 7D for the last two days and it hasn't happened at all. Although the temperature + humidity here in Florida has dropped tremendously within the last week. I also haven't put the 7D through nearly what I would at a normal event yet though. Colder Climates without as much humidity as we have here in the south are probably in much better shape.

What are the odds that Canon could fix it with a Firmware update? My current solution is to grab the second camera, but that is just a band-aid.

-Michael

We were getting it a lot whilst shooting the 7d DVD didn't we Michael but that was pre-production model.

Since it was out only a few weeks before the production model, I doubt there would be any significant differences.

We were getting it a lot whilst shooting the 7d DVD didn't we Michael but that was pre-production model.

We certainly were, and it is fair to mention it was a pre-production model. I wasn't surprised when it started happening, but you did just keep on rolling and everything was fine correct? It was sweltering hot that day, but it's pretty typical here. Plus, the heat encouraged you to break up the continuity of your DVD. (Dude, Really, Awesome, Seriously) :-)

I think the fact that so many people are putting it to the test with different frame rates and procedures is a valuable effort. Some really good suggestions have been brought up to help people to deal with it. But only time will tell how wide spread the issue is for the production models of the 7D.

Yesterday I shot for an hour or so outside. I was in the shade and it was 80 degrees. No overheat warning at all.

Today I was playing around inside in the ac shooting off and on. Half way through I plugged in an HDMI monitor so the LCD was off. After an hour and a half off intermittent shooting the warning came on. First I was shooting 1920x1080 24 then I switched to 1280x720 60.

The camera itself did not feel very warm to my hands. Nothing like a MacBook Pro on your lap or anything. I turned the cam off and pulled the battery out for a couple of minutes and then turned it back on. It recorded 1920 30 for about 25 minutes before the warning kicked in.

From what I am hearing the 5D can get pretty hot to touch without the warning kicking in. Also with extreme prolonged heat abuse some 5Ds have burnt out. Is it possible that Canon has lowered the heat threshold for the warning icon to kick on?

After reading Jim's report of 47 minutes plus with no issues I am wondering if this unit has something haywire going on.

Is it possible that Canon has lowered the heat threshold for the warning icon to kick on?


I think this is a strong possibility.

Also with extreme prolonged heat abuse some 5Ds have burnt out. Is it possible that Canon has lowered the heat threshold for the warning icon to kick on?

Maybe, but then the 5D doesn't shoot at 60fps and so far, the reports seem to indicate that extended shooting in 720p causes the problem, while just shooting in 1080 doesn't seem to cause the problem (or at least nearly as quickly.) And it's not like the problem was unknown with the 5D...

It would be interesting if anyone can get it just shooting 1080 without switching to 720.

Obviously the 7D has a different sensor, processor and LCD to the 5D, so there's lots of other variables, but I'm not sure yet there's a strong case that Canon has lowered the heat threshold (though they certainly might have.)

I spoke to my local dealer where I purchased my camera and the Canon rep is working on a replacement. Difficult task at this moment I know. They had no word back from Canon concerning any issues with overheating and the warning icon.

But really the camera does not feel hot externally. There does not seem to be excessive heat in the battery area, the LCD is warm but not hot, removing the lens and feeling the shutter area was cool and the lower body was just warm. Compared to my EX1 it seems to be generating less heat.

But I am by no means and expert on the guts inside the body of a HD shooting dslr. I just want to use it to shoot some nice footage and develop a confident work flow with the 7D.

I really wanted to purchase the 7D but, now I really dont want to be an early adopter and put up with headaches...

Dano

I ordered mine on Sept 27th (pre-order with B&H), it will be delivered Mon Oct 5th. Yesterday I noticed this thread and my heart sank. But as I followed the discussion it seems the overheat warning comes on quickest at the 60p framerates, folks shooting primarily 1920x1080 30p are apparently seeing little problem with the overheat icon showing.

For me that is what most of my use will be. First off this will not be my primary video camera, it will supplement video with what it does best. More lens variety, actual control over DOF with real aperture management, low light performance and such.

1280x720 60p will be used only occasionally for slow motion, and my way of working does not include a need for long continuous sequences (for that I would use conventional video cam anyway), almost all of what I do calls for short takes so I don't look to experience much in the way of overheat problems.

After a few takes of a scene the camera can be turned off (conserve battery too) while the next scene is setup, composed, rehearsed, and then the camera will be powered on and on we go. This is essentially the way I work with my HF100's (again to conserve battery power).

So after the initial "misgivings" about it I look forward to getting my hands on mine in THREE MORE DAYS...

...And there are some real good ideas in here on protecting the gear from high temps, a white towel will become part of my "kit".

I think I'll hang onto my 4 month old T1i for some "backup" too.

Same warning came up on my virgin set today! Maiden shoot for an hour or so and the LCD was on & off. The warning came up when I got out into the open BUT the weather was gloomy, and I did not transit from an air-conditioned place. (its summer all year round here)

Didnt happen with the pre production model i used 2 weeks back. Exactly the same kinda bashing then. Never happened on my 5D2 as well. Will have to check with the Canon dudes.

Sounds like maybe some manufacturing issues, if some cameras do it and some don't. Very distressing.

Same warning came up on my virgin set today!

What format were you shooting?

Sounds like maybe some manufacturing issues, if some cameras do it and some don't. Very distressing.

More likely to be thermal design issues. There could be a few reasons why there is variation between cams.

The temperature sensor that triggers the warning will have a tolerance, so some cams will be more sensitive than others. Also the operating mode of the camera (e.g. 1080/24 or 720/60) could have a bearing as the processors will consume more power and generate more heat when working harder. And of course the brightness setting of the LCD panel could be the killer.

Richard

What format were you shooting?

1920@ 25p.

But only time will tell how wide spread the issue is for the production models of the 7D.
And time runs fast!! People in Spain are already complaining about this issue! It's worldwide!Tomorrow I'll pick up mine. Wishing for luck!
http://www.canonistas.com/foros/7d/169437-atencion-videografos-1er-problema-con-la-7d-tiempo-maximo-en-modo-video.html

I wonder if this does turn into a problem Canon might do an early firmware upgrade with hopes of Magic Lantern getting ported by dear Tramm.

I wonder if this does turn into a problem Canon might do an early firmware upgrade with hopes of Magic Lantern getting ported by dear Tramm.
Me, too. Through trial and error, I've determined the 7D's product ID (0x80000250) and can get it to try to load a firmware image, but the loader is doing some additional checks on the firmware file and is rejecting my dumping tools. Perhaps they have made a minor change in the file format or there is a field in the header that I am not setting correctly (and that is ignored by the 5D).

So now I am considering other avenues to get a firmware dump. The USB port is one such approach; I've been doing quite a bit of analysis on it (and can add new commands to the PTP interface on the 5D). There is a way to send a new firmware image over the USB port and that may be a way to get a read of raw memory.

Just wondering how people are viewing the heat issues as they have had more time to test and work with the 7D for a few days. Is it going to be a matter of using the camera and working around it heating up? Will the 5D be a better choice if you need a workhorse camera?

I am waiting for word from my Canon dealer. They are working to get me a replacement camera. The warning icon seems to come up on mine sooner than others so I will certainly try another to see if there is a difference.

I am a Sony video user for years so I am not sure what to expect from Canon in response any problems. Just curious how others who plan to use the 7D primarily for video are looking forward.


Thanks,
Dasher

http://dasherfilms.com/

5D - 1 processor, 7D - 2 processors - more heat, similar body. Comparing the battery life between the 2 cameras should be a reliable indicator of the amount of heat generated by each.

Charles,

I have been an EX1 user since they first came out and was drooling over the 7D, but this heat issue has but my dreams on hold. I shoot in some very hot and humid environments, in fact I had an EX1 burn up on a shoot in Thailand. Right now I can't see myself trusting either the 5D or 7D to hold up to my style of shooting. I am pretty bummed about this because I had visions of carrying an SLR around and getting some pretty awesome footage and not looking like I work for a network.

Hopefully they can work the heat issues out.

Daniel Weber

Well I just tested my camera and I have the issue as well, takes mine about 40 mins to get the light 76deg ambient at 1280x720 60p. This does not bode well, Canon seems to have skimped on the heatsink. Or this task just really taxes the processor badly. Not sure why they would overlook that the magnesuim body should be able to augment cooling like a big heatsink itself.

It seems that most people have the problem when shooting 720p/60. In my case I would only do slomo for maybe a minute or two at the outside. If shooting 1080P/24 is not a problem, then maybe I can live with that.

Or this task just really taxes the processor badly. Processors. There are two of them in this camera. That could be part of the reason for the overheating issue.

Do you think its also a problem when camera is on for a long time without recording = for test framing, lighting the sceen, test takes and so far? I think with monitor on hdmi / display off and filming 1080 25p it should be no problem?


Daniel

Bill in my limited experience with the 7D I have it will show the overheat icon in both 720P/60 and 1080P/30. 720P seems to bring it on more quickly.

My plan is to get an IKAN 5.6 HDMI monitor as part of my 7D rig and I am hoping this will help alleviate some heat by turning the built in LCD off.

I am also facing the reality that I may have to limit the usage of the 7D for certain types of filming that I do. When shooting a surf contest for 6 hours straight with an EX1, I shoot every wave I can because you never know what will happen. After each shot I decide wether or not to keep or trash on the spot. In this scenario my camera is running long hot hours and from what I can tell currently the 7D will not handle this work flow.

I was also considering replacing my HV30 and water housing for a new 7D housing but this could be quite problematic with heat build up inside a water proof mini oven.

I am not very familiar with Canon as a company so I am waiting to see how they address this situation. When I adopted early on the EX1 Sony took measures to replace and fix units that had problems (back focus, body paint coming off, battery drain) so despite some anxiety early on the EX1 has been a solid tool to work with and I am hoping the same for the 7D.

I have waited a couple of years for a camera like the 7D and I willing to work around some issues. It just does not look like I will head out on a trip without the EX1 in tow for the time being.

If just being turned on with the LCD running and the camera then heats up when you start shooting, is that really a processor issue? Maybe it's poorly designed for heat dissipation. I can see how intensive use at 60 fps might cause excessive heat, but not just being on and then shooting normally.

I was all ready to buy before this issue came up. I guess I may wait to see how they respond. It could be that a hybrid camera is really not suitable for normal video production. I don't do lots of long takes, but I often do shoots where the camera is on all day, much as you mentioned, so I can get a quick shot when it happens.

What I really need to see is for somebody to turn on the camera, let it sit there for half an hour, then pick up and shoot some 1080P/24 or /30 video with it, off and on, some 4 gig clips, some short, etc., ie., normal shooting for most people, and see how long it takes for the heat thing to happen. All video cameras can get hot, but if you can't leave one turned on and grab it for some ordinary shooting, what good is it?

Has anybody heard any response at all from Canon?