40D has gone and killed itself out of warranty...

Hi all,

Last weekend I was shooting with my 40D and 400 f/5.6L when the top panel LCD started flashing 'busy' repeatedly whenever the shutter button is depressed. I can't access image playback, the menu or any other function though I can adjust the aperture, shutter speed etc.

Now, the camera is out of warranty, but I have to have the camera for an event in three weeks time and as a 16 year old with a Saturday job I really can't afford to fix the camera for £200 or whatever. I look after all my gear extremely carefully as I know that I wouldn't have the ability to replace it if I broke it, so this is a real kick in the teeth that it has stopped working of it's own accord.

Where do I stand on this? Can I claim on contents insurance? Beg with Canon? It's not like it's accidental damage, the camera just stopped working.

I'm thoroughly annoyed as I had to cancel two paid sessions because Canon can't make my camera last more than 18 months.

And help would be greatly appreciated,

Ben

I'd love to have good news for you, but if it outside of warranty then it is unlikely you will get anything for free. It isn't completely unheard of, but it usually is reserved for CPS members with ten 1 series bodies and two of each 'L' ever made. You're going to have to send it in anyway, may as well get the estimate for the cost of postage. You can always say no if it is too expensive.

As you're in the UK you should look up the Sale Of Goods Act and fitness for purpose, durability etc.. Quality electronic goods should not fail after 18 months. Approach Citizens' Advice Bureau or your local Trading Standards Office if you need help.

Have you tried removing the battery as well as the small watch battery for a minute or more to reset the camera?

I have a 40D and would miss having it available for photos.

Good luck with resolving this porblem.

Thanks for the help guys!

@ Tim: I've had a read through the Sale of Goods Act, but as I bought the camera secondhand from an individual, I can't claim through that.

@ Tom: Yup, I've tried everything over the last week: Every possible combination of battery/card, removing the small battery, leaving it out overnight, letting the main battery run out, grip and no grip, flash and no flash, all the lenses with the above combinations. It's well and truly buggered.

Well, thankyou so much Canon for making me have to cancel my holiday to Tenerife because you won't build something to last.

Sorry to hear of the issues the 40D is giving you.

It cannot hurt to phone the Canon Elstree Centre and simply ask them what the status of the camera could/would be....if the original owner registered it with Canon they will know exactly when it was sold and assuming you have records of purchase i.e. to prove you are the owner now they will 'say' what is possible. If its only a little over the year just maybe they will be helpfull.

Edit - AFAIK they keep good records and may show if that body had been in for anything before you had it???

Until you ask you will never know what largesse Canon may show you

I'm sorry to hear your 40D it truly broken.

Unless you were being paid to go and take photos I would not let this spoil my trip. Take a point and shoot and get the photos you can. I have seen MANY photos taken with a PandS that rival those from a much more sophisticated camera. Take it on as a challenge.

Or, go without a camera at all and enjoy the trip as a trip without taking a single photo. While I don't do this for entire trips, I do make a point of going someplace I would normally take my camera without any gear and just enjoy the experience.

The 40D breaking is out of your hands. How you feel about it and what it you do about it is up to you.

On my 40D I see 'busy' when transferring via USB.

Suggest you try:

Different CF card
Connecting to PC via USB (to see if that clears it)
Pressing Live view (set) when connected Via USB to EOS utility.

Worth a try as each costs nothing.

Hope it cracks it.

Thanks again for all the advice!

@ Tom (again!) I'm not having to cancel the holiday because I haven't got a camera, but becasue I need to get the damn thing repaired, and it's one or the other in terms of having the money.

@ SAB_Click: Tried all of the above to no avail

Benjybh

I understand how you feel about Canon and detect some anger from the tone of your comments. I would urge you not to quit on them too hastily. Their equipment is good, but there will always be the odd problem. If I were you, I would write to the MD explaining your situation telling him (her?) that you are at the beginning of your photo career and that you had selected Canon over Nikon and that you are very disappointed. Tell them your age and the sacrifices that you have had to make to get the camera and in relation to the repair.

I would be very disappointed if they didn't try and do something for you. Unless they ask, I wouldn't volunteer that you bought it second hand.

Re Canon Elstree

I would need to double check but these are the contact & addy details

Canon Consumer Imaging Tel: 08702 412 161
Service Centre
Unit 1 30 Centennial Park
Elstree
WD6 35E

Having 'said that' the Canon iste shows this:-

Canon (UK) RCC
Projectors, Professional Camera, Lens, Digital Video, Webcameras, Scanner, Binoculars, Professional Lens, Flash, Analogue Compact Camera, Analogue SLR Camera, Digital SLR Camera

(Note: Video - including HD models; Scanners - only Dedicated 35mm Slide Film Scanners {2700F, FS2710 & the FS4000 models})

Unit 130 Centennial Park
Centennial Avenue
Elstree Hill South
Borehamwood
Elstree
Hertfordshire
WD6 3SE

Tel: 0844 369 0100
Fax: 0844 892 0849
Web: http://www.canon.co.uk

Best of luck

I actually did a work experience placement in the Canon UK headquarters a couple of years back, so I've got a couple of contacts that may (or may not!) point me in the right direction in reference to writing to the MD...

MS Word is opening as I speak...Ta for the advice!

Hi SAB_Click

AFAIK in the UK as part of the "original purchaser" information if you register Canon kit (and for the record I have so registered) will include the 1st users name and address so "they" will know he is the second if it was registered.

As for the approach you suggest, yes a good idea but IMO the first approach should be to the service centre and try to prevail on their good will. If that fails then an escalation as seen fit could be the most effective route/method???

Oh, as for the UK Sale of Goods Act it was my understanding that all goods should be fit for purpose and I am sure I read somewhere that electronic goods were deemed to need to be "reliable" for up to 6 years after initial sale......its just something in the back of my mind....and I am not sure the original story related to a camera or a cooker!!!!

Right, I think I'm going to take your course of action, Box Brownie: Send it off to Elstree, get on my hands and knees and beg, then if all else fails drop Mr MD a letter.

In the mean time I might try to borrow £100 or so off my parents to buy a 10D as a stop gap; hopefully not losing any money when I come to sell it.

Benjybh wrote in post #8190495
I actually did a work experience placement in the Canon UK headquarters a couple of years back, so I've got a couple of contacts that may (or may not!) point me in the right direction in reference to writing to the MD...

MS Word is opening as I speak...Ta for the advice!

It cannot hurt to be ready to fire the big guns and having networked to possible get the right name is great but have Canon service yet told you it will cost you to get it repaired??? There will be folk in front of the MD to filter his mail and someone else may answer you with just that question.......in other words why are you writing to this level now when you have not given "us" the opportunity to advise you on costs if any???

As the old saying goes "do not get mad get even" - talk first, complain later IMO makes more sense. And there is always BBCs Watchdog when push comes to shove!

Edit - Hi, I see we overlapped. Yes, were I you I would start by phoning the support number and taking it step by step based on what they say. Make sure you get the name of any person you speak to and keep notes of the conversation and any agreed action e.g. that you are sending it in for investigation free of charge ~ do not want to get stuck with a bill that was not agreed to?

I hope you will be pleasantly surprised with how they will handle the problem.