New A75 problem - any ideas?

[am_dew]

I bought an A75 just a few weeks ago. I have taken a hundred pics or so and they are great, but yesterday when I went to use the camera, it would not turn on and I also noticed that the lens was not retracted and the lens cover was open. :( When I press the on/off button, it just blinks once. I've tried different batteries and removing the CF card, with no luck. I called Canon and they told me I will need to send it in for service.

Anyone have any ideas what might be wrong?

How fast can I expect Canon to repair and return it?

Thanks.

[mrproxy]

You can fix it in 1 minute!
Just change batteries!

[Belmondo]

You can fix it in 1 minute!
Just change batteries!

He said he tried different batteries, so it sounds like there is another problem.

[am_dew]

Yes, that is correct...I tried several sets. I was able to get the lens to retract into the camera body and the lens cover closed yesterday by putting the camera into "Shooting" mode first, the depressing the "Set" button while pressing the on/off button. Still won't turn on though, whether it's in Shooting or Record mode when I press the on/off buttion.

[Kaylesh]

Hiya
Are you getting any sort of error message on the LCD screen? Sounds like what my old A60 had happen when it got the dreaded error 18. Which relates to the lens/barrel.
Would of cost me more to repair than its worth. So now i have a A75 .. :-)..
Hopefully thats not it.
Kaylesh

[am_dew]

No, the LCD stays dark no matter what I do.

I just purchased a 3 year extended warranty for $28 for this camera...hopefully I won't need it once this problem gets fixed but in case I do, I thought it was a wise investment.

[stopbath]

Is there ANY response from the camera when you turn it on, or does the LCD just remain black when you power the thing up?

If you have NO response from the camera at all with you turn it on, the problem may be a power connection. If you have access to a AC power that suits the camera, try that. Check the batter cover and battery compartment for anything odd.

If you do get a whirring sound when you turn it on, the you've got power, but something is not testing out during the camera internal testing. Since the LCD is blank (no error message), it likely is pretty early in the testing cycle. Likely a trip to Canon is needed.

If the camera can turn on, and seemingly take pictures, but the LCD remains blank, the LCD is turned off.

As for the warranty. It likely is NOT a good investment. It's just a form of insurance, and the odds are in their favour. If your camera is one of the rare ones that fail after the warranty period, and is not due to an accident, then it WAS a good investment. :?

[am_dew]

Thanks for the reply...

Yes, there is a response when I press the on/off button. The response varies as to the current condition of the lens assemly and/or shooting mode it is in:
- If the lens is fully retracted into the camera body, in 'Shooting' mode, upon the first press of the on/off button, the lens partially extends but the lens cover stays closed.

- On the second press while still in 'SHooting' mode, the lens extends a tiny bit farther and the lens cover partially opens.

- On the third press, the lens extends a but further and the lens cover opens all the way.

- In 'Playback' mode, nothing happens unless I depress the 'Set' button while pressing the on/off button. (see next item)

- In 'Playback' mode, when I depress the 'Set button while pressing the on/off button, AND the lens is extended a bit from trying to turn it on in 'Shooting' mode, the lens retracts and the lens cover closes.

As you can see, lots of different responses, based on various conditions.

I don't have access to a suitable AC power connection. I have also inspected the battery cover and found nothing odd.

The only noise I get when I turn it on, is the sound of the lens moving in or out (see above).

The camera does not turn on (no green light near the round dial selector) and the LCD remains black.

As for the extended warranty I bought, I thought it would be a wise thing to buy given the problem I have now. But, hopefully this issue is just an isolated thing and once it's fixed the camera will give me some years of trouble free use.

[rallyrx7]

Sounds like the problem I had with my S45. I sent it in and they said it is un-repairable. It had moisture in it, so was a total write off. Funny thing it has never had any water on it. Some high humidity in Texas but that was all.

[am_dew]

And mine has not seen as much as one drop of water in the two weeks I had it and the humidity where I lve (South Lake Tahoe, CA) is very low all the time. Canon will have to repair it or replace it since it's under warranty.

[stopbath]

With the lens movement, it is not batteries, since you have power to move the lens. It is likley the lens movement system, or someother early initialization process that gets messed up. Send it in.

Note: Impact, water, heat and other damages do not ONLY occur while you are aware of them happening. (If a camera falls in a forest, and no one is around to hear it, does it still get damaged?)

Hopefully, it's under warranty. Canon will let you know if it's not.