Weird 20D problem, maybe grip related?

[pcasciola]

Today, I got stuck where my 20D was in a very odd state. Everything appeared to be normal. AI Servo was tracking because I could see the focus changing, I was in Av mode and could see the shutter speed changing, and the LCD was on, but when I would press the shutter release, the center focus point would blink, and that was it. It wasn't locked up, because everything else was still working, focusing and metering anyway. I tried turning it off and on a few times, then removed both batteries, but it didn't start working again until I completely removed the grip and put it back on.

Has anyone else experienced this? What are the symptoms that people usually experience with a loose grip?

[Chris1le]

I posted this in another thread but I've been having strange problems with my 20D also. Copied and pasted from another thread:

I just had an error 99 with my 100-400L. I was shooting frogs when all of sudden the the * button would not focus the lens. I noticed the error 99 was flashing on the top display. I turned the camera off yet error 99 continued to display. I backed out both batteries from the grip yet somehow error 99 continued to flash in the top display. :shock: Eventually it went out. Then I pushed batteries back in turned it on tried to focus and went through the same thing. Eventually, I'm not sure why, it started working again.

I'm beginning to wonder if Canon may have rushed this camera into production. All the early lockup problems then the problems with the grip and now these strange errors and lockups.See http://************/6h8gg Personally, I'm glad I did not get rid of my 10D. I cannot trust the 20D not to lock up or start behaving strangely. I'm probably going to have to contact Canon about sending it in for a checkup. :evil:

[Chris1le]

Has anyone else experienced this? What are the symptoms that people usually experience with a loose grip?

One way to see if you have a problem with the grip is to hold the camera vertically and try and pull the grip away from the camera from the top. Watch the top display. If the power goes out after a gentle tug that is a problem. I stuffed some foam into the area where the little switch is on the camera side and that seems to have solved that problem. It seems the little pin on the grip that pushes the little microswitch in is not long or wide enough.

[pcasciola]

I think Err 99 is a little different, but who knows, maybe this was an Err 99 without the Err 99 display. The few times I got the Err 99 it was a complete lockup and nothing worked like what you experienced. I wouldn't worry about those too much if I were you. I've only had that happen 3 times out of 4,000+ actuations.

This one was really strange, because everything else seemed to be working expect for the shutter release button. I could even adjust settings. I was fumbling around for a good 5 minutes before I decided to completely disconnect the grip.

I've had the grip for months and never had any issues with it whatsoever, but maybe it just needed to "break" in. ;) If it happens again I'll have to try the wedge trick you (and others) have mentioned.

Thanks.

[Jon]

I've had the Err99, an Err01 and the lockup as described above on my 20D with and without grip, while using the 100-400IS for a series of shots. It would consistently lock on about the 3rd or 4th shot, and removing the lens would clear it. I don't attribute this to the 20D, however, because I succeeded in duplicating it on the D60. Happens with or without the TC 1.4 EF II on.

[goldstrikn]

I am new at this, but from the problems you stated, is it with the latest firmaware 1.1.0?

[Jon]

My 20D has 1.1.0, but the D60 sees the same problems.