It finally happened to me!

[dicky109]

Well, the infamous G-1 drop-dead problem has finally reared its ugly head and happened to me after having the camera for 2 1/2 years. Of course it happened the first time I was going to rely on it as my primary camera on a European trip, however, fortunately, I also had my reliable Canon EOS Elan IIe film camera with me and didn't miss any shots.

Most of the posts I've seen indicate the camera craps out when shooting and the lens stays in the extended position. I guess I'm fortunate in that it happened to my G-1 after I was reviewing a day's shooting, and the lens wasn't extended. The next time I went to power up the camera, nothing happened at all. Changed battery, with no effect.

I bought a 5 year Mack Warranty when I purchased it, so will see how well they perform. Hopefully, it will be a positive experience, and I'll let everyone know the results.

[dicky109]

"I bought a 5 year Mack Warranty when I purchased it, so will see how well they perform. Hopefully, it will be a positive experience, and I'll let everyone know the results."

Well, It looks like I'll get the camera fixed under the Mack Warranty, however, after they had it for 3 1/2 weeks, I just received a message that they have to send it to Canon for repair, another 4-6 weeks. Potentially 2-3 months total without my G-1! I guess its a good thing that I've been too busy to use it, otherwise, I would not be very happy. Will keep you apprised of results.

[slejhamer]

Interesting to know that Mack is sending it to Canon. I had heard that they outsource to various repair shops with mixed results.

Best of luck. Hopefully it will be back in good condition soon.

[IainB]

Just out of curiosity, I called Canon New Zealand to get a quote for replacing the fuse, and asked if there were 'any known problems' with the G1. Based on the 'few' cameras that had come through for this repair, I was quoted NZ$45 to $50 including parts and labour. That's about US$27 - $30! Needless to say, if the worst happens to my camera, I won't be reaching for the screwdriver.
I really sympathise with those of you having to pay US$155 (that's NZ$258!)
Canon said there were no 'known issues' with the G1...
As a footnote, a 'charging' problem I had early on resulted in my buying a new battery. Canon later upgraded the firmware free of charge and refunded the cost of the new battery which I returned to the store.
Not bad at all!

[Roumen]

I am even suspicious.

Is this "dead G1" problem an indirect consequence from the latest firmware update to v.1.003?

Is it possible to return back to firmware version 1.002?

So many complains of sort "dead G1" in this forum and all of them after the latest G1 firmware update 1.003 in January 2002.

Why the longest link of "G1 dead" complains was removed from this furum ?????
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=5153

Check the reference to this link from:
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=8041

Greetings,
Roumen

[Roumen]

Well, if the "G1 dead" complain messages are restricted here - just go to dpreview Canon Talk Forum and make a search "G1 dead" - the result could scare you, starting from 26.01.2001 ????

At least, probably Canon G1 v.1.003 update is not involved here, "G1 dead" messages are starting after v.1.001 update:

http://search.dpreview.com/forums/search.asp?query=g1+dead&forum=1010&page=11

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1010&message=793832 my g1: sleepy, confused, or dead? January 26, 2001

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1010&message=868267 My G1 is dead. February 27, 2001

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1010&message=977876 Dead G1 April 11, 2001

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1010&message=1107505 Charging G1 suggestion...dead G1 May 24, 2001

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1010&message=1185594 Dead G1's: Serial #'s Please... June 17, 2001
.........................................

Greetings,
Roumen

[civi]

Hello

I'm another G1-dead user. Here in Spain, we have a fix price to repair the camera of 217.40 € but the Tech. Service gives you the option to pay 24.50 € for a budget that you can accept or not.

I took the second choice, and just the next day when I arrived home, I found this forum and the famous DISSAPEARED thread http://photography-on-the.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=5153

Fortunately, I have a paper copy of this thread :-)

Four days later the Tech. Service told me that the repair of the dc/dc converter will cost 193 € but I didn´t accept this price after the visit of this forum and I phoned directly Canon to ask for a free repair as some people has related in the famous lost topic 5153.

Now I´m expecting their answer, they will phone me probably in this week.

By the way, the next thing I'm going to do is to ask the Administrator for the topic 5153. Maybe Canon has spent our repairs money to shut up this forum ???

[dicky109]

Hurray!!!

Mack made good and I received the camera back today in good working order, at no cost. I've always had a positive experience with them in the past, and they will continue to have a satisfied cutomer in the future. The only downside to this experience is that it took 2 months because they had to send it out to Canon.