Date and Time always needing to be reset on Canon Rebel XSi

I've tried to set my date and time function many times and it never seems to stick. Consequently, I always have to reset it every time I use the camera. Has this happened to anybody else? Is there some magic way of keeping the date and time set? Its getting a bit tedious!

Becca

Do you leave the camera with the battery removed?

It is one of the following problems:

1. The little button cell battery is dead
   
2. You installed it backwards
   
3. You forgot to install it
   
4. The cat ate it before you ever saw it

Steve, the button cell comes preinstalled, but it could be a bad battery.

I work in a camera store and the same thing happens with our display.


Must be a bug or something.

bill boehme wrote in post #6122659
Steve, the button cell comes preinstalled, but it could be a bad battery.

A bit confusing as the manual for the XSi say's something about the time settings may need resetting if the camera is stored with the battery removed (I'm assuming it's talking about the lithium here). Also, unlike other Canon cameras, it makes no mention of the clock battery type (CR2016 or whatever) in the specification pages. I know some items of electronic equipment use a capacitor to store energy for the clock circuit which is charged from the main battery and I wondered if Canon had done the same with the XSi (cost cutting?). Then I read the review on dpreview and it quite clearly states that a CR2016 is used (hence my deleted post which I assume you were responding to).

Looking at Canon's website could it be that both the 450D (Xsi) and the 1000D do not have a separate battery for the clock? Reading the specifications for all the cameras listed only these two make no mention of a separate CR2016 for the clock. It would make sense of the reported clock resetting issue if the main battery is removed or allowed to become completely discharged.

gofer wrote in post #6122783
Looking at Canon's website could it be that both the 450D (Xsi) and the 1000D do not have a separate battery for the clock? Reading the specifications for all the cameras listed only these two make no mention of a separate CR2016 for the clock. It would make sense of the reported clock resetting issue if the main battery is removed or allowed to become completely discharged.

http://www.dpreview.co​m …ws/canoneos450d​/page2.asp

bill boehme gave the right answer in post #3.
Replace the backup battery and the problem will be solved.

E2andI wrote in post #6122428
I've tried to set my date and time function many times and it never seems to stick.

Return it to Canon for warranty repair.

The XSi/450D date/time battery is not intended to be user-replaceable. One person—often known to be incorrect—claims that it can be accessed by breaking a sealed plastic door. Even if true, doing that would invalidate your warranty.

Agree with Doug Pardee......I've got a brand new XSi, and just checked the date/time. Mine is right where it's supposed to be, so there must be something funky with your camera. (Nothing personal)

The Canon web site does mention a backup battery in the Power Source section of the spec.

http://www.usa.canon.c​om …d=16303#ModelTe​chSpecsAct

Battery Check
Automatic
Power Saving
Provided. Power turns off after 30 sec., 1, 2, 4, 8, or 15 min.
Back-up Battery
Built-in secondary battery
Start-up Time
Approx. 0.1 sec. (based on CIPA testing standards)

It also mention in the manual on page 29 for the 450D that the Date/Time might reset if the battery (LP-E5) is exhausted or removed during storage.

Another reason the Date/Time may be rest if you use EOS utility (connected to the camera) and have it update the date and time during photo transfer, remote shooting or any of the other function.

I think they've gone to a backup battery that's not user replaceable. It probably charges from the main battery, and will keep the clock running for a while, when you change the main battery, but not for a long time, like in a 40D or similar.

That dpreview lists it is most probably becuase they made an assumption about it being there.
It's not mentioned anywhere in the 450D manual.

I have exactly the same problem with my 300D!!!

I have posted on so many forums now to try and find an answer but no joy. I have replaced the little lithium battery which is housed in the main battery compartment twice now and no joy - I only had the error come up after i had tried to install new firmware - most people have expressed suprise as to why this might have effected the date/time but there you go - if anyone has any thoughts it would be much appreciated as it's sooooo annoying.

The issue I had with this is was I was "setting" the time, then pressing the playback button (as I thought this corresponded with OK on the screen).

This made it look like I'd set the time, as it cleared the screen. But it hadn't. So every time I switched the camera on, it asked me to set the date and time.

If you use the arrow keys to navigate to OK after setting the time, then press Set, that actually sets the time. And it sticks. Hope this actually is your problem!

There was a thread not long ago where it was pretty convincingly determined that no, you cannot replace the backup battery in the XSi. I had that camera for 8 months and never realized that fact, but I never had need to go looking on the camera for the backup battery.