01-15-2022 10:06 AM - edited 01-15-2022 10:07 AM
Preordered the R3 and patiently awaited its arrival. It arrived on time and, wow, what a camera. However, within the first week, I experienced two instances where it froze. No button or dial would respond, however the touch screen still worked. Of course it takes a 'button' to turn it off, so a battery pull is needed to shut it down and then it works again until it freezes. Before anyone asks, it was all Canon gear, R lens included. Different lens were tried, different memory cards, different batteries, etc. What makes it happen is simply having it on for a period of time. You don't even have to be doing anything. So it was still within the period where I could return it to Canon and get another if I chose, but instead, since I had CPS Platinum, giving me an ultrafast turn-around, I opted for Canon repair. They replicated the issue in the shop, fortunately. They reinstalled the firmware and claimed the problem would not replicate. OK, we'll see. I've used it everyday this week with no problem, but all my uses were turn it on, use it for 10 minutes or so, and turn it off. Today I went out for an extended photowalk. I took a break for coffee and a review of the images. So the camera was on from earlier and on for an extended period while reviewing images. I took a break for a minute and when I picked the camera up, boom, frozen again. I was doing absolutely nothing aside from having the camera on. The attached screen shot tells the story. Note the position of the power button, i.e. "OFF" and yet still a picture on the screen. Twice more during the walk, the camera was left on and went to sleep. Twice when I went to wake it up and use it, total black. It would not respond to anything other than a battery pull. So it seems in their haste to do a fast turnaround, they didn't fix the problem. Freezing up seems to affect all recent Canon cameras in the R series, as I read the various forums. Has anyone else experienced this issue and, better yet, had a satisfactory resolution?
Note power "OFF" Image Still On Screen!
01-20-2022 01:29 AM
For what it is worth, when I sent it to Canon a week after it was purchased, they reflashed the firmware and reset it to factory settings. They claimed to have fixed it. The exact same problem still exists. Thus I would not expect a reset to factory settings to resolve the issue.
01-20-2022 10:40 AM
"Such a disconnect makes zero business sense."
I doubt there are any companies where the sales floor is directly connected to the repair facility. Since Canon is run by humans, there can be good ones and there can be not so good ones, I tell folks if you don't get a good one hang up and call back. You will likely get a different person. Hopefully a better one!
In my own experience, I always received good service form CPS and even Canon support. But I have known a few folks that didn't get so good. If this happens to be a model wide defect, I don't know how much good a replacement is. Perhaps better to have a repair?
01-20-2022 03:28 PM
Anyone experiencing focus issues on theirs?
01-20-2022 10:13 PM
I'm not even sure a replacement would be available given how backlogged Canon is with the R3. And, I agree, that it's a gamble that you might get one with the same or worse issues. The challenge with a repair is that I'm also not sure Canon knows what to fix. Lockups occur with the R5 and I haven't read of anyone who experiences them (which I have as well) having any success sending them to Canon for repair. I am hoping that the problem doesn't get worse and just remains an annoyance and that maybe in six months or so Canon will have had enough experience with the issue to have found a firmware fix. I hoping SBunting has some success that I can learn from.
01-20-2022 10:18 PM
I think you probably need to be a bit more specific. I have found that the mirrorless focusing system has some significant differences from DSLRs, that can be frustrating. They can have a hard time finding the subject under certain circumstances and when they miss focus it is usually be a mile not an inch. On the plus side, if they find the focus, they can be incredibly accurate. You might want to check other threads or start a new topic so this one stays on point.
01-21-2022 10:08 AM
"You might want to ... start a new topic so this one stays on point."
Good point and suggestion.
01-21-2022 10:18 AM
Both my R5 and R6 have now had this freezing after last firmware update. Prior to that neither froze. Sry your having this issue. Discouraging that you sent it in and are still having the problem.
01-25-2022 02:31 AM
I don't like sending in my camera for a problem that probably can be fixed with a firmware update.
For starters: I have to part with my camera for a couple of days. Ignoring the hassle of sending it in for now.
Second: if the camera has to be opened, it's unlikely it's put together as well as it was initially in the factory (I prefer Japanese manufacturing above a Dutch technician).
01-26-2022 10:34 AM - edited 01-26-2022 11:58 AM
Technical Support has agreed to take it back and replace the unit. Right now I'm waiting for one to become available to facilitate this exchange. Of interest, of course, will be if the replacement displays the same behavior. I'll update once I know...
01-26-2022 10:51 AM
If you guys leave it on for a long time with no CF card installed does it still exhibit this behavior?
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