Problematic EOS R1: AF issues on one, oil spots on another

[Astoria59]

I ordered and received an R1 two weeks ago. Second time out, the camera intermittently lost AF capabilities until I shut it off and back on. Then it worked again, for a short time. It was a wash, rinse repeat anytime I took it out, over the course of three days. It was sent back to the place of purchase for a replacement R1. I received the replacement yesterday. I have taken it out two times using two different lenses on it. Virtually every single image contains what looks to be oil on the sensor. Two donut shaped spots, highly visible in the right and center of the frame. Again, right out of the box. What is going on with quality control that they don’t recognize the LACK of quality. Now, I am out over 12k as these faulty, flagship camera bodies make there way back to the place of purchase and my money is floating around in ‘refund-land’. And, I have no camera body…I’m angry. If I didn’t have so much invested in Canon glass I’d bail on Canon..

[shadowsports]

Where did you purchase the original body from?  Are they a Canon authorized dealer.  Please provide the identity of the seller.  

[Astoria59]

I purchased and received the replacement to the original from B&H

[shadowsports]

Greetings,

I probably purchase about 90% of my gear from B&H.  They are an authorized Canon dealer and a very reputable retailer.  While inconvenient, I am certain you will get your money back.  Having issues with two brand new purchases in a row is extremely uncommon.  Canon has extremely high quality standards.  Without images, it's very hard for us to comment on your experience.  I hope you documented both interactions.  

Do you plan to give B&H another chance?

Have you considered ordering directly from Canon?  

[Astoria59]

Yes, it has been arranged with B&H for the return of this body and a third try with another R1. I, too, have bought from B&H for many years and never doubted they would make it right. I have enclosed 1 image showing the oil on the sensor.

[LeeP]

You have only 1 camera body normally? If I'm understanding you correctly, you spent $6K on an R1, sent it back for a refund and dropped another $6K on a second R1?  I'm sure B&H will resolve this to your satisfaction given my experience with them, but why not grab an R8 as a backup body?

[normadel]

You aren't "out" $12,000.00. You are out $6,000.00. And you won't be out anything if you return it.

Can you look at the sensor (don't touch it) to see if there's anything on it?

Even the excellent B&H Photo does not unpack and inspect a new camera before shipping it to you.. If there's are manufacturing defects they will undoubtedly take it up with Canon.

[Astoria59]

I didnt mean for it to mean out 12k. My payboo card was maxed out until the returns were credited back. It has been a very frustrating experience making a huge purchase like this for a camera that should have much tighter quality control. The fact that i purchased from B&H was and is the only positive within this experience and as their usual, they have been very accommodating and understanding. This camera purchase could have only happened with the trade in of two bodies and a small inheritance. However, when i was all in with all i had, to find the problems with these cameras…well, im sure you understand.

[wq9nsc]

B&H service has been exemplary in the decades I have used them going back to the Canon film cameras and 1-800 phone days so I am glad they are taking care of you.

Hopefully you will soon find a R-1 body performing out of the box as it should.  I have been a very early adopter of new 1 series bodies since 2005 and I have owned a lot of different models over the years and currently use a pair of 1DX III bodies and another pair of 1DX II bodies.  All were perfect out of the box and the 1DX II and III series bodies and the pair of 1DX bodies I owned prior to them have never had even a minor glitch in several hundred thousand captures in some truly horrible conditions that push the low light and fast focus of these bodies to the limit.  The only time I have had a 1 series "glitch" at an event was a 1D Mark II that was using third party batteries that couldn't sustain the required voltage during sustained current draw during a burst.  I bought them only because there was a temporary shortage of real Canon batteries and after going back to my aging Canon batteries while waiting for OEM replacements to appear back in the supply chain the 1D M2 body never had another issue.

I have seriously considered adopting a R-1 to see if I can grow to love it but it will have to be at least the second generation at this point.  Mirrorless architecture doesn't do anything special I need at this point and I am not giving up absolute quality and reliability until these new bodies have the rock solid reliability that has kept me using Canon gear for decades.

By profession, I have a doctorate in marketing and have also spent years doing consulting work for major corporations in the closely related fields of quality and risk.  As I observed in my MBA seminar last night, it takes years and often decades for an organization to build a stellar image and reputation but that carefully nurtured asset can be lost in a fraction of the time it took to construct.  Canon has incredible capabilities and an amazing history of product development but they built this reputation on bodies and lenses that did "basic camera stuff" exceedingly well.  As product complexity increases, it becomes far more difficult and expensive to maintain rock solid function and reliability while it is easy to chase glitz and glitter that look great in marketing communication.

Rodger

[Astoria59]

Very well put. Precisely how I feel. Started out in film cameras. Reluctantly moved to digital. Loved my 7Dii, my 1DX2 and 3. The 1DX bodies grew to be a bit too heavy for me with the EF lenses I had. Again, very reluctantly this time, moved to the mirrorless. Was not a fan of the large mp R5. Moved to the R3 and an R7. Then when I was able, moved into the R1. Which has been a, so far, terrible experience. I took delivery of the third R1 this morning. The next few days will direct whether I finally have a usable R1 or I sell all my mirrorless gear and move back to DSLR and EF lenses.