Is this a common problem with the 20D?

Less than a year ago I bought a minty 2nd hand 20D for my daughter's introduction into DSLR photography. Lately it has developed a problem and I seem to remember a similar issue with one being sold here a few months back.

The shutter release focuses properly but will not activate the shutter. This has been coming on slowly and sometimes works by pushing down harder or more deliberately on the switch before not working at all. It is not related to the battery (I've already tried that).

Also... weird... the top LCD remains ON indefinitely when the camera is turned off.

Any insights before I send it back to Canon? I'm afraid the repair will be more than the camera's worth. If so, I may try to fix it myself if I can get some insight on the probable cause (switch replacement/cleaning contacts/replacing board level components, etc).

Thanks!

I've not had any problems of the like with my 20D. In fact, it's been perfect.

Best of luck to you though in fixing it!

Send it to Canon. It will come back like a brand new camera and perform well for a long time to come.

Canon's minimum repair cost is about the price of another used 20D. Seems like it wouldn't be worth it to me.

Sounds like the dirty shutter button contact problem. There are some home remedies for that I remember reading, but you better search for them. I think it involved sending some alcohol or electrical contact cleaner through the battery compartment, but please don't take my word for it.

OK, I'm a little late to the party, apparently. A google search gave me all kinds of info from the absurdly simple and somewhat precarious:

http://www.youtube.com​/watch?v=tB_gSqyidI0

To the home do-it-yourself technician wannabe:

http://www.youtube.com​/watch?v=CAWGScQeC5g

And even a pdf of the latter from somewhere else:

http://dougkerr.net …s/20D_Shutter_R​elease.pdf

I may actually try the easy fix first. I don't think the isopropyl alcohol will hurt anything as long as I am able to keep it away from the LCD and inner workings of the camera. It has the added benefit of cleaning the battery contacts as well.

Thanks!

I can't speak about the top screen, but your shutter problem sounds like the same thing my 30D is doing... And they are very similar cameras. Apparently, dirt or crud can accumulate in the button mechanism, or the mechanism can go bad.

I took a trip to Canon in Irvine, and they wanted approximately $200 to fix it. I have not done so yet, because I'm thinking it's time to upgrade. I may go the Canon Loyalty Route, or I may just upgrade and sell the 30D with disclosure.

Steve

p.s. This thread discusses the issue: https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=907496

My 20D has the shutter issue. I have to press down a little harder than I used to. I've seen a fair number of complaints, enough that I suppose it to be a common issue.

As for the lcd remaining on even when the camera is switched off, I have not had that with the top lcd. But I did get it once with the rear screen. I've had maybe three odd electrical crashes with the camera over a six year period. They were annoying at the time, but I never did anything to trouble shoot them as the problems were quite inconsistant.

John.

stevemacko wrote in post #11974484
I can't speak about the top screen, but your shutter problem sounds like the same thing my 30D is doing... And they are very similar cameras. Apparently, dirt or crud can accumulate in the button mechanism, or the mechanism can go bad.

I took a trip to Canon in Irvine, and they wanted approximately $200 to fix it. I have not done so yet, because I'm thinking it's time to upgrade. I may go the Canon Loyalty Route, or I may just upgrade and sell the 30D with disclosure.

Steve

p.s. This thread discusses the issue: https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=907496

The best scenario would ne picking up a cheap P&S (<$20) on ebay for use in the CLP program and then selling the 30D here or elsewhere with disclosure.

I actually have an old Canon point and shoot... I've been weighing the pros and cons of the Loyalty Program versus buying a new unit. I'm also waiting for the funds to be released from the CFO (a.k.a the wife).

85lesabre wrote in post #11974676
The best scenario would ne picking up a cheap P&S (<$20) on ebay for use in the CLP program and then selling the 30D here or elsewhere with disclosure.

stevemacko wrote in post #11975384
I actually have an old Canon point and shoot... I've been weighing the pros and cons of the Loyalty Program versus buying a new unit. I'm also waiting for the funds to be released from the CFO (a.k.a the wife).

I was going to go with the CLP and even got a P&S to trade in. Called them and they ran out of 7D's. Waited a few days and then decided to pull the trigger on a new 7D as I was getting frustrated. Just after purchasing the new 7D on Amazon, I check the CLP thread and it says 7D's are back in stock.

So goes life...

There are step by step instructions on replacing the shutter on a 20D on the web. The steps are the same as doing it on the 30D. The final part is a bit of soldering - surely you can find someone who can do it? Ask around. You will also need a new shutter switch that can be purchased on ebay. Total cost is under $20.

I can do it, thanks. This type of work is in my repertoire. I ain't escared. I just need to be spun around 3 times and pushed in the right direction.

There's an ongoing thread over in marketplace about the CLP... PM works too!

OK, I decided to try the easy method first as it didn't look like it would cause any harm if applied with caution:

http://www.youtube.com​/watch?v=tB_gSqyidI0

And guess what? So far so good. The button works again.

BTW, I had to order the 99% solution from my local pharmacy as only 91% was available on the shelves and the inert ingredient is water...

Good News!! Thanks for the heads up!

Just as an addition... When I went to Canon Irvine, they emphatically told me that cleaning the button mechanism would never work, because in their experience it was always a broken mechanism, and it had to be completely replaced! I left...

It may be time to give this a try.