R1 overheated and shutdown shooting stills

[WDonnelly]

Shooting a Lacrosse game today with an R1, RF100-300/2.8 with a Canon 2x extender, Lexar Pro card, monopod. I saw the overheating symbol but thought that was for video. In the middle of the 4th quarter (~2,300 activations), the camera displayed a message indicating it had overheated and was shutting down. It did. WTH??? There were still 4 minutes in the game. 

A cloudless, 80-degree day, a little after high noon. As I recall the settings, high-speed (not H+), evaluative metering, AV priority, fixed ISO, used the EVF not the display, autofocus, electronic shutter. 

This is shocking. As I get into HS playoffs in May, it will be 90+ degrees. Imagine a close game in the 4th and needing to shoot post-game trophy presentations. Or, like a baseball game last year, a bases loaded squeeze bunt to win the game and the camera shuts down!!! It would have been a disaster. 

There was another post on overheating but the shooting situation was a lot different than mine. 

Anyone else experience this? 

[shadowsports]

Greetings ,

Was the sun beating down on the camera for four quarters? 

[WDonnelly]

Yes. Never bothered any of my previous Canon bodies. Being in the sun for the duration of game is fairly routine for me. 

[March411]

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@WDonnelly wrote:

Yes. Never bothered any of my previous Canon bodies. Being in the sun for the duration of game is fairly routine for me. 

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And honestly it shouldn't have bothered this body either. Sports photographers sit in the sun and take photos for at least 3 hours (pro game length) and the camera, I should say the pro grade camera should not overheat as this is what is was supposedly designed to do, sports in the outdoor elements. There should be no excuse for this happening to you..

Have you reached out to Canon yet? That would be my next move,,,, 800-652-2666

[Waddizzle]

Over 2300 activations over about three hours is a LOT.  Does that number reflect how many images you captured or how many bursts you initiated?

Which previous camera are you referring to?  A 1D series? I think comparing the performance of a DSLR to a MILC is comparing apples to oranges.  Comparing a DSLR capable of capturing 12-15 fps to a MILC capable of 40 fps isn’t a level playing field. 

How many hours did the game last?  If the camera gave you fair warning that it was overheating, don’t blame the camera.  

[March411]

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@Waddizzle wrote:

Over 2300 activations over about three hours is a LOT.  Does that number reflect how many images you captured or how many bursts you initiated?

Which previous camera are you referring to?  A 1D series? I think comparing the performance of a DSLR to a MILC is comparing apples to oranges.  Comparing a DSLR capable of capturing 12-15 fps to a MILC capable of 40 fps isn’t a level playing field. 

How many hours did the game last?  If the camera gave you fair warning that it was overheating, don’t blame the camera.  

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Waddizzle, no disrespect intended but you are basically saying that the Canon R1 can place photographers at risk for losing frames because the camera can't handle normal environmental situations. Professionals should be concerned about using the R1 professional grade camera during the summer for outdoor sports. Soccer, Rugby, Beach Vollyball, Lacrosse and Nascar could all experience failures and lost frames because a Photographer is using a professional camera with unpublished and quite frankly unacceptable limitations. The OP lost frames at a critical time, the end of the game. Many times this is when you need you equipment to perform at it best.

This seems completely inconceivable that this type of failure would be remotely acceptable. If someone was shooting video in a desert maybe but under a cloudless, 80-degree day, a little after high noon, the settings, high-speed (not H+), evaluative metering, AV priority, fixed ISO, using the EVF not the display, auto-focus, electronic shutter. That is and should be a very ordinary circumstance for a professional body.

The response seems overly apologetic for the Canon brand.

[Waddizzle]

“ Waddizzle, no disrespect intended but you are basically saying that the Canon R1 can place photographers at risk for losing frames because the camera can't handle normal environmental situations. Professionals should be concerned about using the R1 professional grade camera during the summer for outdoor sports. Soccer, Rugby, Beach Vollyball, Lacrosse and Nascar could all experience failures and lost frames because a Photographer is using a professional camera with unpublished and quite frankly unacceptable limitations. The OP lost frames at a critical time, the end of the game. Many times this is when you need you equipment to perform at it best. “

I will wait for answers.  I am getting the impression that we’re not being told the complete story.  

I stand by my opinion that he’s comparing apples to oranges.  Overheating from hours of continuous use is a known issue with MILC bodies.  He should have carried a second body.  

I simply cannot believe that he has never experienced overheating before now.  I didn’t think you could get that many shots from one battery, either.  

End of story. 

[deebatman316]

I agree with Bill (@Waddizzle ) I haven't used one mirrorless camera that didn't overheat in stills mode while shooting in large bursts in hot weather. Also at some point you would have to change the battery with that amount of shooting. At least 4 times you'll have to switch out to a different battery especially since the OP said that they had ~2,300 pictures. The battery life for the EOS R1 is approx. 700 shots that would mean the OP would've had to switch out batteries at least 4 times. So there's more to the story. They also couldn't have shot for that long with 1 battery alone.

[WDonnelly]

FYI on real-world R1 battery life. I've attached the current battery status on the camera. I haven't recharged it since yesterday's game. I know your experience is different, but I can usually get 2 games on one R1 battery charge.

[March411]

I can only compare it to my R3 (same battery). When I have shot fast action sporting events in temps higher then 80° and have never had it over heat. It also will get greater then 3000 clicks out of a single battery. My R5 has never over heated in the same circumstances but I definitely need to swap batteries. Always use EVF, never shoot LCD

Real-World Usage: Many users report getting significantly more than the CIPA ratings, with some claiming to get  7000-9,000 clicks on a single charge. I've never waited until I drained a battery so I can't verify the numbers.