Mode Lock

I was shooting a basketball game a while back, and I noticed that my mode had slipped off manual to one of the programmable modes. Of course, it made all my settings wrong for that situation. Obviously, I had accidentally hit the dial and made it switch.

I have noticed the same problem on my 40D and the XTi before that.

I would like to see Canon made a locking device built in to the camera that you can lock the camera in what ever mode you choose. No more of this goofing up shots because of clumsiness.

Wonder if something like that is in the works?

The 60D (and I think the 5D MKIII too) dial requires you to press the middle of it before you can turn it to stop it being accidentally changed.

That being said, I've seen at least one person say they hated it and wished it would go away again .. can't please everyone

you can get the mode dial lock installed by Canon for $100. applies to 7D and 5D II.

http://www.engadget.co​m …your-eos-5d-mark-ii-or-7/

PWard wrote in post #14155127
you can get the mode dial lock installed by Canon for $100. applies to 7D and 5D II.

http://www.engadget.co​m …your-eos-5d-mark-ii-or-7/

Interesting. Thanks.

PWard wrote in post #14155127
you can get the mode dial lock installed by Canon for $100. applies to 7D and 5D II.

http://www.engadget.co​m …your-eos-5d-mark-ii-or-7/

I had this done on my 5D MKII's, money very well spent.

Hmm. I wonder if Canon will remove the lock on the 5d3 for a fee. It's annoying for me but clearly it's been a problem for some or they wouldn't have changed it.

Used to happen to me all the time, then I started carrying a roll of black hockey tape, problem solved. Canon isn't getting a $100 reward for their mistake.

More than a few of us have complained about this problem for years, it's been an all too common issue with the models that have the mode dial on the lefthand "shoulder" of the camera (incluing pretty much all the xxD, 5D and 7D models)... It's really infuriating to lose shots due to a poorly designed and too easily bumped control.

Hooray! Canon has finally done something about it! 60D and 5DIII are the first two models to have the mode dial lock included as standard equipment. 7D and 5DII can be retrofitted with it, at some cost. I notice the 5DIII's mode dial is more prominent than on some other models, so it might be even more easily bumped and the lock might be just that much more important.

But, of course, some people feel it's an inconvenience. I wonder if those folks ever shot with a camera with this control layout that didn't have a lock?

You'll get used to it. You can press the release button and turn the dial with one hand. It's a lot easier and neater than using gaffer tape over the dial!

I must say I did find it "clunky" at first when I got my 60D, but after a week or so I don't even notice it, I press it instinctively and it does stop accidental mode switching.

I love the lock on my 5D3... always bumped it on my 7D and 5D2

> I wonder if those folks ever shot with a camera with this control layout that didn't have a lock?

I've been shooting the 7D with the same basic layout as the 5D3 for two years and never bumped it accidentally. The dial on the 5D3 seems a bit bigger (I haven't compared side-by-side though) and is certainly a bit more grabby tactilely, so good point that it may be bumped even more than before.

> You'll get used to it. You can press the release button and turn the dial with one hand.

Yeah, but before you just needed a thumb without moving your hand. Now you have to move your whole hand. Right now I absolutely hate the lock but I'll likely get over it.

Thanks for the replies everyone. I am seriously considering sending my 7D to Canon for the retrofit.

When you only have "one chance" to get the shot right, this accidental moving of the mode dial can be tragic.

I knocked the dial on my 7D the last time I was using it and missed the only 3 really good shots of an eagle flying. Not the worst thing I've ever done, but I've now got a 5DMkIII on order that'll ensure I don't do it again.

Why is it felt that this is Canon's mistake? ["Canon isn't getting a $100 reward for their mistake.] Why isn't the user in large part to blame. If a poll was taken I would suspect that most people have not experienced the issue. The incidence of the problem may seem high here, but then in a forum about a problem you tend to only hear the bad, not the good.

Never experienced an issue before but now have a 60D...

I can't recall every knocking it on my old 20D, but I *have* accidentally knocked my 17-50mm to MF a couple of times and missed a shot because of it