Funny flashing problem with Optura 10 at DVinfo.net

Tyge Floyd · October 17th, 2005, 06:21 PM

I use my old Optura 10 very little, as a capture deck when I'm on the road and occasionally when my kids need to play around with a camera at a family function. It's three years old, been not so well cared for (I hunt, this used to be my #1 camera, it's had a hard life).

This weekend, I pulled it out of the backpack to capture some footage to my laptop. In VCR mode there is nothing out of the ordinary. In camera mode it blinks, flashes when pointed toward bright sunlight. If you cover the lens it stops, if you point it toward a shadowed area it stops. Point it toward an object that has sunlight hitting it and it blinks, flashes.

Any ideas what could be the problem?

Obviously the camera is trying to adjust to the light and something is screwed up. I did change batteries, tape, removed the backup battery and found no change in the problem.

Michael Wisniewski · October 17th, 2005, 11:21 PM

Sorry to hear about the problems. Does it record to tape like that, or is the effect isolated to the LCD? I get a similar type of effect with my girlfriend's old ZR40.

Either way, probably time for a tune up at a Canon facility.

Tyge Floyd · October 18th, 2005, 05:52 PM

It records the flashing to the tape.

I thought maybe there would be a quick fix for this, slim chance...

I talked to Canon today and they said $250 minimum to look at it. So, I guess I'm screwed, not going to put that kind of money into a 1 chip camera. I'll use it as a capture deck and start looking for a good deal on a GL1 or GL2.

Tyge Floyd · October 20th, 2005, 12:54 PM

Okay, this is weird. I turned the camera on last night and ever thing seems to be working fine. Went outside this afternoon and recorded some footage, everything seems to be back to normal. I have no clue what happened but I'm sure the problem will rear it's ugly head at the most inopportune time in the future! That's just my luck.

Greg Boston · October 20th, 2005, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tyge Floyd

Okay, this is weird. I turned the camera on last night and ever thing seems to be working fine. Went outside this afternoon and recorded some footage, everything seems to be back to normal. I have no clue what happened but I'm sure the problem will rear it's ugly head at the most inopportune time in the future! That's just my luck.

I used to see some of the weirdest electronics problems during full moon phase. People laugh, and I wish I had plotted this for all those years, but I'm talking about stuff that just leaves you scratching your head. So Tyge, don't use the camera during full moon and you'll be fine. :-)

-gb-

Kin Kwan · October 21st, 2005, 09:21 PM

I have an Optura 20 and the same problem happened to me 2 years ago. I don't think I found a way to solve it, but I do know how to avoid it (I think). Try and be gentle with the camera, especially when flipping out the LCD and putting the battery on. I found that if I push the battery in too hard or push the LCD to its full 90 degree, I get that weird (zebra stripe looking) thing on bright areas of the screen. Ever since then I only open the LCD to about 45-60 degrees and that problem doesn't show up as much, only about twice in a few months span.

Anyways, I hope that helps you out!

Michael Wisniewski · October 27th, 2005, 06:27 PM

Well it now appears that the Sony CCDs in many camcorders/cameras are defective. Several large companies are issuing a "silent re-call" where they will "fix" the camcorder as long as it has begun to malfunction. Currently they won't fix/replace it if it is working properly.

You should contact Canon again, in light of this news.

Here is the official response from Canon - though other camcorder/camera manufacturers are also affected:
http://www.canon-asia.com/index.jsp?...enomena_notice

Also see here to discuss further:
http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=53463

Griffith J. Griffith · November 19th, 2005, 09:11 PM

Sounds like the Iris needs to be re- adjusted another thing you may want to try is putting it in manual mode see if does it. If you do send it to Canon Supply a sample tape.

October 17th, 2005, 11:21 PM	#2
Michael Wisniewski Wrangler Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Makati, Metro Manila Posts: 2,706 Images: 32	Sorry to hear about the problems. Does it record to tape like that, or is the effect isolated to the LCD? I get a similar type of effect with my girlfriend's old ZR40. Either way, probably time for a tune up at a Canon facility. __________________ "Ultimately, the most extraordinary thing, in a frame, is a human being." - Martin Scorsese

October 18th, 2005, 05:52 PM	#3
Tyge Floyd Major Player Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Ft. Worth, Texas Posts: 287	It records the flashing to the tape. I thought maybe there would be a quick fix for this, slim chance... I talked to Canon today and they said $250 minimum to look at it. So, I guess I'm screwed, not going to put that kind of money into a 1 chip camera. I'll use it as a capture deck and start looking for a good deal on a GL1 or GL2. __________________ At full draw, Tyge Floyd

October 20th, 2005, 12:54 PM	#4
Tyge Floyd Major Player Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Ft. Worth, Texas Posts: 287	Okay, this is weird. I turned the camera on last night and ever thing seems to be working fine. Went outside this afternoon and recorded some footage, everything seems to be back to normal. I have no clue what happened but I'm sure the problem will rear it's ugly head at the most inopportune time in the future! That's just my luck. __________________ At full draw, Tyge Floyd

October 27th, 2005, 06:27 PM	#7
Michael Wisniewski Wrangler Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Makati, Metro Manila Posts: 2,706 Images: 32	Well it now appears that the Sony CCDs in many camcorders/cameras are defective. Several large companies are issuing a "silent re-call" where they will "fix" the camcorder as long as it has begun to malfunction. Currently they won't fix/replace it if it is working properly. You should contact Canon again, in light of this news. Here is the official response from Canon - though other camcorder/camera manufacturers are also affected: http://www.canon-asia.com/index.jsp?...enomena_notice Also see here to discuss further: http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=53463 __________________ "Ultimately, the most extraordinary thing, in a frame, is a human being." - Martin Scorsese

November 19th, 2005, 09:11 PM	#8
Griffith J. Griffith New Boot Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 8	Sounds like the Iris needs to be re- adjusted another thing you may want to try is putting it in manual mode see if does it. If you do send it to Canon Supply a sample tape. __________________ The Country that controls magnetism controls the world

October 17th, 2005, 06:21 PM	#1
Tyge Floyd Major Player Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Ft. Worth, Texas Posts: 287	Funny flashing problem with Optura 10 I use my old Optura 10 very little, as a capture deck when I'm on the road and occasionally when my kids need to play around with a camera at a family function. It's three years old, been not so well cared for (I hunt, this used to be my #1 camera, it's had a hard life). This weekend, I pulled it out of the backpack to capture some footage to my laptop. In VCR mode there is nothing out of the ordinary. In camera mode it blinks, flashes when pointed toward bright sunlight. If you cover the lens it stops, if you point it toward a shadowed area it stops. Point it toward an object that has sunlight hitting it and it blinks, flashes. Any ideas what could be the problem? Obviously the camera is trying to adjust to the light and something is screwed up. I did change batteries, tape, removed the backup battery and found no change in the problem. __________________ At full draw, Tyge Floyd

October 21st, 2005, 09:21 PM	#6
Kin Kwan Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Plano, TX Posts: 120	I have an Optura 20 and the same problem happened to me 2 years ago. I don't think I found a way to solve it, but I do know how to avoid it (I think). Try and be gentle with the camera, especially when flipping out the LCD and putting the battery on. I found that if I push the battery in too hard or push the LCD to its full 90 degree, I get that weird (zebra stripe looking) thing on bright areas of the screen. Ever since then I only open the LCD to about 45-60 degrees and that problem doesn't show up as much, only about twice in a few months span. Anyways, I hope that helps you out!