Camera not working!

Chris Hurd · November 26th, 2007, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bruce S. Yarock

I might have paused for a couple of minutes, but would that cause it to go into standby and shut down?

Most definitely yes.

Quote:

I then tried to re power the camera with the main dial and it was still dead.

When an XH camera is in standby mode, it can't be re-powered by the main dial. Instead you have to cycle the standby switch. In fact it's your description (that you tried to re-power the camera with the main dial and it was still dead) that leads me to believe that it simply went into standby mode.

Quote:

Exctly how could I replicate what you're talking about to see if that's the cause?

Load a tape. Record a few seconds and stop. Be sure that the camera is waiting in rec / pause mode. Wait several minutes. Don't touch anything on the camera. It should power down all by itself (this is standby mode).

Cycle the main power dial -- nothing should happen. Change batteries like you did before -- nothing should happen. It'll seem like it's completely dead (except for VCR Playback mode; that function will work fine).

Now cycle the standby / lock switch and watch it spring back into life.

If you find the auto standby mode annoying, simply disable it using the Custom Function menu.

Bruce S. Yarock · November 26th, 2007, 09:31 AM

Chris,
I just tried what you suggested.
1- I recorded 2 minutes to tape.
2- Put it in ''record/pause" mode, and waited.
3- After about 4 minutes, the"auto power/ save" window came up , started blinking, and in about 30 seconds, the camera shut down.
4- I turned the main dial to "off" then back to "m" and the camera powered right up.
The "standby/lock" switch is in "standby".
What happened saturday was that I was shooting and only paused briefly, then the camera went dead. The only thing I didn't try was to toggle the "standby/ lock" switch back and forth.
Any other ideas?
Bruce S. yarock
www.yarock.com

Chris Hurd · November 26th, 2007, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bruce S. Yarock

After about 4 minutes, the"auto power/ save" window came up , started blinking, and in about 30 seconds, the camera shut down.

Okay Bruce -- try this exercise just one more time please. Make sure the switch is set to "standby." Let the camera shut down by itself and this time flip the switch to the "lock" position. Now try re-powering from the main dial -- nothing should happen. Change batteries, and nothing should happen. Flip the switch back to the standby position and it should turn on again.

I know you said you didn't touch that switch before, but consider the possibility that maybe you did flip it inadvertently, without being aware that you did it. What I'm suggesting to you is that *if this happens again,* your first step should be to immediately cycle that switch to see if it brings the camera back to life.

If that doesn't do it (and you've checked the battery, etc.) then you might have a problem that needs to be looked at by Canon service... but I'm willing to bet that cycling that switch is all you need to do.

Bill Pryor · November 26th, 2007, 01:06 PM

The two times I've accidentally moved the switch, I also could have sworn that I never touched it. But I did. It's easy to do it and never know you did, especially if you're moving around a lot, putting it on and taking it off a tripod, in and out of a bag, etc.

John B. Coons · November 26th, 2007, 01:48 PM

Everyone,
Let me again tell you that my A1 "froze" just like Bruce's - several times over a 2 week period. The last time it happened I was 1 minute into videoing a horse at a show (not that that's important) and I was following the rider using the viewfinder (with Sony cup). The camera was on a tripod, and I was zooming in and out. The viewfinder went totally dark. I flipped the lever to lock, then back to standby, then pushed the button and continued videoing. I missed 2 of the horse's jumps. I did not accidentally flip it to lock. I have videoed maybe 500+ riders who take about 2 minutes to complete their jumps and once I push the button, I keep my thumb away... I have never screwed up a clip (well... sometimes they enter the ring before I start the camera and I miss 3 or 4 seconds, but that is rare). The only parts of my right hand touching the camera are my 2 fingers on the zoom buttons. My left hand is on the fluid head's pan handle.

Bruce S. Yarock · November 26th, 2007, 02:04 PM

Chris,
I tried it again, and when I toggle to "lock" the camera won't power up. Also when the camera is off (and the main dial is in off position),and the switch is set to "lock", the camera won't power up.

Bill,
I'd like to think that I mistakenly turned the toggle switch to 'lock", because it would mean that there was nothing wrong with the camera. In addition, I would have to have inadvertntly switched it back to "standby" when I took it out later in the reception. that's switching it twice without being conscious of doing so either time....
I've been running it a long time today, and no problem.

I called tech support at Canon, and he suggested tht I send it in. I have to send my H1 in on the 9th (for another problem), and maybe when I get it back, I'll send in the A1 (which is still under warranty).
Thanks to Chris et. al for chiming in and trying to help.
Bruce S. Yarock
www.yarock.com

Bruce S. Yarock · November 26th, 2007, 02:12 PM

At least I know how to turn it back on if it happens again (hopefully)...
Bruce S. yrock
www.yarock.com

Don Palomaki · November 27th, 2007, 07:48 AM

Quote:

...that's switching it twice without being conscious of doing so either time....

Perhaps easier to do if one is not fully aware of the consequences of the act.

Quote:

...I was following the rider using the viewfinder (with Sony cup). The camera was on a tripod, and I was zooming in and out. ...I keep my thumb away... I have never screwed up a clip (well... sometimes they enter the ring before I start the camera and I miss 3 or 4 seconds, but that is rare). The only parts of my right hand touching the camera are my 2 fingers on the zoom buttons.

You are a far better videographer than most, especially following what presumably is fast action through the viewfinder on a tripod while zooming with the on-camera controls. Why not try a zoom controller such as the ZR-2000? Might make life a bit easier.

Richard Lozano · March 16th, 2008, 06:55 PM

I have a three week old A1. While I was shooting, the camera went dead. It now only works in VCR mode. Any ideas what this could be? Thank you.

Pete Bauer · March 16th, 2008, 07:00 PM

Standby switch?

Richard Lozano · March 16th, 2008, 07:15 PM

Ah. I switched the thumb switch to 'lock'. Don't do this unless you want to experience fear.

Bill Watson · March 16th, 2008, 08:33 PM

Been there. Done that.

Ernest Freeman · March 16th, 2008, 09:52 PM

Same here.
It did send a chill down my spine at first, until I recalled a thread on this board discussing this very thing.

Jim Stamps · March 17th, 2008, 01:58 PM

http://dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=103020

John Patrick Murphy · May 29th, 2008, 10:04 PM

So I just typed out a whole big question and then I saw it. It's a really obvious fix and I feel like such a moron haha. Thanks guys for inadvertantly helping me. I'm pretty sure I almost soiled my pants since I got this less than twelve hours ago. Thanks again looking forward to being part of the forums.

March 16th, 2008, 06:55 PM	#99
Richard Lozano New Boot Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: St. Louis, Missouri Posts: 10	no power except vcr mode I have a three week old A1. While I was shooting, the camera went dead. It now only works in VCR mode. Any ideas what this could be? Thank you.

March 16th, 2008, 07:00 PM	#100
Pete Bauer Wrangler Join Date: May 2003 Location: Eagle River, AK Posts: 4,100	Standby switch? __________________ Pete Bauer The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and science. Albert Einstein Trying to solve a DV mystery? You may find the answer behind the SEARCH function ... or be able to join a discussion already in progress!

November 26th, 2007, 09:31 AM	#92
Bruce S. Yarock Trustee Join Date: May 2004 Location: Pembroke Pines, Fl. Posts: 1,842	Chris, I just tried what you suggested. 1- I recorded 2 minutes to tape. 2- Put it in ''record/pause" mode, and waited. 3- After about 4 minutes, the"auto power/ save" window came up , started blinking, and in about 30 seconds, the camera shut down. 4- I turned the main dial to "off" then back to "m" and the camera powered right up. The "standby/lock" switch is in "standby". What happened saturday was that I was shooting and only paused briefly, then the camera went dead. The only thing I didn't try was to toggle the "standby/ lock" switch back and forth. Any other ideas? Bruce S. yarock www.yarock.com

November 26th, 2007, 01:06 PM	#94
Bill Pryor Contributor Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 4,449	The two times I've accidentally moved the switch, I also could have sworn that I never touched it. But I did. It's easy to do it and never know you did, especially if you're moving around a lot, putting it on and taking it off a tripod, in and out of a bag, etc.

November 26th, 2007, 01:48 PM	#95
John B. Coons New Boot Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Germantown, TN Posts: 9	Everyone, Let me again tell you that my A1 "froze" just like Bruce's - several times over a 2 week period. The last time it happened I was 1 minute into videoing a horse at a show (not that that's important) and I was following the rider using the viewfinder (with Sony cup). The camera was on a tripod, and I was zooming in and out. The viewfinder went totally dark. I flipped the lever to lock, then back to standby, then pushed the button and continued videoing. I missed 2 of the horse's jumps. I did not accidentally flip it to lock. I have videoed maybe 500+ riders who take about 2 minutes to complete their jumps and once I push the button, I keep my thumb away... I have never screwed up a clip (well... sometimes they enter the ring before I start the camera and I miss 3 or 4 seconds, but that is rare). The only parts of my right hand touching the camera are my 2 fingers on the zoom buttons. My left hand is on the fluid head's pan handle.

November 26th, 2007, 02:04 PM	#96
Bruce S. Yarock Trustee Join Date: May 2004 Location: Pembroke Pines, Fl. Posts: 1,842	Chris, I tried it again, and when I toggle to "lock" the camera won't power up. Also when the camera is off (and the main dial is in off position),and the switch is set to "lock", the camera won't power up. Bill, I'd like to think that I mistakenly turned the toggle switch to 'lock", because it would mean that there was nothing wrong with the camera. In addition, I would have to have inadvertntly switched it back to "standby" when I took it out later in the reception. that's switching it twice without being conscious of doing so either time.... I've been running it a long time today, and no problem. I called tech support at Canon, and he suggested tht I send it in. I have to send my H1 in on the 9th (for another problem), and maybe when I get it back, I'll send in the A1 (which is still under warranty). Thanks to Chris et. al for chiming in and trying to help. Bruce S. Yarock www.yarock.com

November 26th, 2007, 02:12 PM	#97
Bruce S. Yarock Trustee Join Date: May 2004 Location: Pembroke Pines, Fl. Posts: 1,842	At least I know how to turn it back on if it happens again (hopefully)... Bruce S. yrock www.yarock.com

March 16th, 2008, 07:15 PM	#101
Richard Lozano New Boot Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: St. Louis, Missouri Posts: 10	Ah. I switched the thumb switch to 'lock'. Don't do this unless you want to experience fear.

March 16th, 2008, 08:33 PM	#102
Bill Watson Major Player Join Date: May 2007 Location: Noosa Queensland Australia Posts: 248	Been there. Done that.

March 16th, 2008, 09:52 PM	#103
Ernest Freeman New Boot Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: R.S.M. Calif USA Posts: 16	Same here. It did send a chill down my spine at first, until I recalled a thread on this board discussing this very thing.

March 17th, 2008, 01:58 PM	#104
Jim Stamps New Boot Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 11	http://dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=103020

May 29th, 2008, 10:04 PM	#105
John Patrick Murphy New Boot Join Date: May 2008 Location: West Springfield, MA Posts: 14	So I just typed out a whole big question and then I saw it. It's a really obvious fix and I feel like such a moron haha. Thanks guys for inadvertantly helping me. I'm pretty sure I almost soiled my pants since I got this less than twelve hours ago. Thanks again looking forward to being part of the forums.