Pro1 failure modes

[alan_potter]

Anyone know anything about how Pro1s fail?

Out and abbout today, I tried to use the video mode on my Pro1. First time I started trying to take a movie, the camera crashed, leaving a static image in very strange colours on the display.

So I pulled the battery and re-inserted it, and restarted the camera. I took about four short videos, then tried to take a longer one. Again, the camera crashed during the middle of filming.

So, having lost the moment, I re-removed and re-inserted the battery. This time, the LCD display told me "LENS". I took the battery out and waited a good few seconds before re-inserting it. This time all was well.

For a few minutes, anyway. Then I tried to take a still picture, and the flash popped up. My own fault - so I tried putting the flash back in. It wouldn't "catch" in place. I switched the camera off and back on, still the same.

Another removal and reinsertion of the battery, and the flash caught as it should. Since then everything has seemed to work properly.

My first thought - especially given that it was a video mode - was that it could be the 4GB CF card (Kingston). Are there any decent PC utilities for exercising and testing flash memory?

Otherwise, are these recognised failure symptoms? Anything that is likely to be repaired by Canon, or are we seeing the onset of old age?

Thanks for any input,

regards,
/alan

PS The camera does have the firmware hack to allow 3 minute 640x480 videos, but that's been there for years and this is the first breath of trouble I've had with the camera

[rpolitsr]

My Pro1 is three years old and has more than ten thousand shutter actuations.
It never failed, but I am aware that the original batteries last slightly less now than when they were new.

I have the original Canon firmware update installed.

You must check that your batteries are fully charged and that they hold enough charge yet after these years of service.

If you have another CF card use it for another test.

People reported that 4GB cards work fine in the Pro1 with the original firmware, but remember that the hack was released before the big cards were available, so it may be the culprit.

Let us know your findings, good luck.

[JohnJ80]

"How old is the battery?" is a very good question. Li-ion batteries only last 3 years or so regardless of how much you charge them. They just age.

DId you try this with a new battery?

J

[alan_potter]

Thanks, everyone - I'll investigate this stuff when I get home

regards,
/alan